Dalton Hicks - 2014

[nicksaviking]

[h=2]Dalton Hicks[/h]

Dalton (nee DJ) Hicks

http://www.milb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_543306.jpg

 

Hicks is a 6'5" 250 lb 1B drafted out of Central Florida in the 17th round of the 2012 draft. His size is indicative of his expected talents. He is an all-or-nothing hitter who, if he makes it to the majors, may very well turn out to be a true three outcome hitter. He is only suited to play 1B as he is slower than Adam Dunn with his leg caught in a bear trap, but he does possess great power potential; a quality most clubs seek in a firstbaseman.

 

Out of high school he was drafted by the Giants in the 46th round. He went to college instead, but he was included on the Maxpreps 2008 All-American team with the likes of Danny Hultzman, Garrit Cole, Kyle Skipworth, Eric Hosmer, Tim Beckham, Casey Kelly, Zach Hood, Matt Hobgood and fellow Twins BJ Hermson and Aaron Hicks. Very strong company by any evaluation.

 

Hicks ended his first season of pro ball in dramatic fashion, hitting a walk off grandslam in the decisive game of the Appalacian Leage championship.

 

He finished the season with a .270/.382/.435 slash to go along with four HR, although the last one was probably worth more than the first three combined. The four HR was a little light for the all-or-nothing slugger but he did miss three weeks in the end of July/beginning of August.

 

In 2013 Hicks split his time between Cedar Rapids and Ft. Myers putting up a combined slash of .289/.358/.486. At the time of his promotion to Ft. Myers, he was leading the Midwest League in RBI and among the league leaders in HR and 2B.

 

Upon his promotion, his SLG% dropped as is the case for many players in the pitcher friendly FSL. However his OBP increased due to a 4% jump in his BB rate while his K rate remained the same, 21%.

 

Hicks will open the season in Ft. Myers.

 

[nicksaviking]

Like many of the Miracle, Hicks has started off his 2014 season slow with a .222/.263/.250 slash. So far he only has one XBH (a double) and only 2 BB compared to 8K.

[nicksaviking]

Hicks' slow start continues but there are some positive signs. His .358 OBP matches his number from last year. His 15/16 BB/K rate is nice and over his last ten he has taken 7 BB compared to only 3K.

[Steven Buhr]

I'm hearing Hicks has been placed on the 7 day DL with a back issue.

[nicksaviking]

Hicks has hit better since his return from a DL stint though he is still lacking in the power department. He has a positive .361 OBP (.390 last ten) but a disappointing .339 SLG (.303).

[nicksaviking]

Hicks continues to scuffle at Ft. Myers. Over his last ten he only has 1 XBH (his 3rd HR of the year) and 3 BB to his 10 K.

 

For the season his .346 OBP is respectable but below his career numbers. His 19% K rate has to be a nice surprise as he was projected to be a three true outcome hitter. On the other hand his power is not developing, though the FSL has dampened power numbers in the past (for guys not named Walker).

 

For a 16th round pick he has already exceeded expectations, but if he's going to advance any further, he's going to need to start finding the green spots on the field or hopefully the green spots past the outfield fence.