Article: What lies ahead for Aaron Hicks?

[Guest USAFChief]

Gardy already ripped Hicks for something he didn't do? Awesome job Gardy. Glad we have you around to give these young guys confidence. Hicks absolutely hustled on that play. I was actually impressed with his hustle. I hate this method of managing. Gardy has done this with young players over and over again. This is one of the main reasons I wanted Hicks in AAA to start the year, where I bet he'd be struggling as well.

Just my opinion, but I think it's more of a hit and miss kind of thing. I still wouldn't like it, but it'd be better if this was something he actually did to all players, all the time. Instead, he has his favorites, and never seems to call them out. Casilla could be counted on for much worse, on a weekly basis it seemed to me, yet I never heard a peep and he got multiple opportunities to fail.

[jokin]

I'm right there with you. Hicks has been much worse than I thought he would, and I didn't think he was going to do very well to start out. Too bad Benson is doing so poorly and Arcia can't play CF lol.

 

The Clete Thomas renaissance bandwagon- coming soon- to a stadium near you!

[jay]

The Clete Thomas renaissance bandwagon- coming soon- to a stadium near you!

 

Brandon Boggs play any CF?

[ashbury]

From the ST article: "I haven’t talked to him about it, because I always have to calm down before I talk to people."

 

"... and I find that talking to the media has that desired calming effect. Thanks guys. I'm ready to go face Aaron now."

 

To me, this is starting to seem like erratic behavior. One theory would be that it's calculated: he was not in favor of trading both center fielders and is now letting Ryan see I Told You So in print. For what good purpose, I can't begin to guess, unless he wishes to be fired.

[Mr. Brooks]

From the ST article: "I haven’t talked to him about it, because I always have to calm down before I talk to people."

 

"... and I find that talking to the media has that desired calming effect. Thanks guys. I'm ready to go face Aaron now."

 

To me, this is starting to seem like erratic behavior. One theory would be that it's calculated: he was not in favor of trading both center fielders and is now letting Ryan see I Told You So in print. For what good purpose, I can't begin to guess, unless he wishes to be fired.

 

It's pretty simple. After 2+ years of losing, Gardy is on "tilt".

Anyone who plays poker knows exactly what I'm talking about.

You can't attempt to explain tilted behavior using logic or common sense.

[jokin]

From the ST article: "I haven’t talked to him about it, because I always have to calm down before I talk to people."

 

"... and I find that talking to the media has that desired calming effect. Thanks guys. I'm ready to go face Aaron now."

 

To me, this is starting to seem like erratic behavior.

 

His physical "bobbing and weaving" during the TV interview was definitely "erratic", too.

 

I don't know about Gardy having a death wish, but the ultimate kiss of death for Hicks? When referring to him, Gardy didn't even call him "Hicksie".

[jokin]

Brandon Boggs play any CF?

 

If you mean: "Has his manager physically written his name there in the lineup?" Then, yes....

[ThePuck]

If you mean: "Has his manager physically written his name there in the lineup?" Then, yes....

 

Without trying to offend anyone...

 

That can be said about many a Twins ballplayer over the year...and the announcers are like, 'he can play here and he can play there' and so on. I'm like, 'just cause Gardy puts him there doesn't mean he should be playing there.'

 

Respectfully.

[Guest USAFChief]

Brandon Boggs play any CF?

Because if anything, your 2013 Minnesota Twins just scream "go with the 30 year old AAA player over the prospect!"

[ThePuck]

From the ST article: "I haven’t talked to him about it, because I always have to calm down before I talk to people."

 

 

"'But I'll talk to you media guys about it cause I know he couldn't possibly be watching...'

[Alex]

Parker Hageman recently tweeted that Hicks has a 76% first pitch strike rate (MLB avg is 48%). Compare that to Mauer who is also known to take pitches early in the count. Mauer sees fewer 1st pitch strikes than average at 45%.

 

So, I think it's pretty clear that pitchers are going to throw him strikes until he shows he can hit him and there's no reason they should fear him. I'd take this number as further proof that the Twins far overestimated his readiness. Until he shows he can actually hit and do something with strikes, this is going to continue.

[diehardtwinsfan]

It's pretty simple. After 2+ years of losing, Gardy is on "tilt".

Anyone who plays poker knows exactly what I'm talking about.

You can't attempt to explain tilted behavior using logic or common sense.

 

I'm not sure you can attempt to explain any of Gardy's behavior using logic and common sense.

[old nurse]

It's pretty simple. After 2+ years of losing, Gardy is on "tilt".

Anyone who plays poker knows exactly what I'm talking about.

You can't attempt to explain tilted behavior using logic or common sense.

To define Gardy behavior as tilt is to say you cannot explain what you cannot understand nor have ever done. It makes perfect sense to me. You cannot teach when you want to scream expletives.

[rickyriolo]

This kid needs to be sent down to Triple AAA....He is a "K" machine...time to start Mastro

[Oxtung]

This just in from ESPN's stats dept.

 

MLB - Aaron Hicks is Bad

 

From Elias: Aaron Hicks is 2-43 (.047 BA) in the first 10 games of his career. That is the 3rd-worst BA in a player's first 10 career games for any player to debut since 1900 (min. 30 AB).

[snepp]

Not-so-Fun With Numbers!

[LaBombo]

Not-so-Fun With Numbers!

 

113 years of MLB debuts, dating back to when America had 10 miles of paved roads? Pffft. Small sample. Get back to me when someone has the worst debut in two centuries.

[Oxtung]

Not-so-Fun With Numbers!

 

Yeah, I thought this was so above and beyond the usual depressing nature of the Twins that I didn't want to drag down the Fun With Numbers thread. I was worried the resulting contamination of this epic stat might have shut the whole thread down.