Dalton (DJ) Hicks

[nicksaviking]

Hicks is a 6'5" 250 lb junior out of Central Florida. 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; the quality most clubs seek in a firstbaseman.

 

Hicks was named the C-USA preseseason player of the year. Last season he had 14 HR and lead his league in RBI with 72. He has a predictably high strikeout rate but also has a very strong walk rate. 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 has been assigened to Elizabethbton and will get regular playing time at 1B. As his contact rate and defense are not expected to be his strengths, look for him to be promoted based almost entirely on his run producing numbers. As one of the highest drafted college bats picked by the Twins, look for him to get a shot at A ball before others that may seem more deserving.

[nicksaviking]

After 12 games in E'ton, Hicks is holding his own. He has stroked only one HR which is his obvious strength, but he is hitting very well. His line is .298/.411/.426. You'd like to see a higher SLG but his strong OBP shows that he can draw walks at this level. He has hit safely in nine of his 12 games, three of which were mulithit games.

[minn55441]

After 12 games in E'ton, Hicks is holding his own. He has stroked only one HR which is his obvious strength, but he is hitting very well. His line is .298/.411/.426. You'd like to see a higher SLG but his strong OBP shows that he can draw walks at this level. He has hit safely in nine of his 12 games, three of which were mulithit games.

thanks for the update Nick, Very promising that he has adjusted to pro ball so quickly. Any word on how his fielding has made the trasition?

[nicksaviking]

thanks for the update Nick, Very promising that he has adjusted to pro ball so quickly. Any word on how his fielding has made the trasition?

Ouch, sorry for the delinquent repy, I didn't realize anyone had posted in this thread. Hicks has spent about a 1/3 of his games at DH. I wouldn't be able to give any technical evaluation of his defense, but it looks like he is splitting most of the 1B duties with recently demoted Rory Rhodes. Hicks has 1 error in 12 games but obviously that is no indication of his defensive skills. He is a big man so DH may be where he ends up, but since he joined the team, he has getting more games at 1B than Rhodes who was getting most of the starts before Hicks' arrival. Since both players are still young, I would take the favorable split for Hicks to mean that he is either better defensively, or the Twins have higher hopes for him and are going to give him the first chance to succeed.

 

His bat has cooled off after his decent start. He is striking out as expected, but has not drawn a walk in ten games. He's batting .216 over this period. It's still early, nothing to get worked up over.

[nicksaviking]

Good game for Hicks last nigh. 3-5 with a HR and 2B and 3 R. His other 2 AB's resulted in K's.

[nicksaviking]

Hicks went 2 for 3 with a HR, 2B and two BB in his return to the lineup Saturday. He had not played since July 28th but had no been listed on any injury report I could see. Romy Jimenez has been out since July 26th though he too has not been listed on any report I can find.

[nicksaviking]

Hicks ended his season, along with his teamates seasons, in dramatic fashion with a walk off grandslam in the decisive game of the Appalacian Leage championship. Congrats young man, it may be rookie ball but it's one hell of a story.

 

He finishes his 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. I have not been able to find an explanation for the absence anywhere. The 37 K's in 136 PA was high but expected. There is plenty of work to do in 2013, but the Appalacian League hero hopefully has a place in the organization come next spring as opposed to next summer.