Aaron Hicks' second extra base hit of the season came in the form of a triple on a 1-2 count in the top of the seventh from the Tigers'reliever Bruce Rendon. Rendon's fastball registered 101 miles per hour by SportsVision's PitchF/X system. Seemed really fast to me. Turns out it was. ESPN Stats & Info Department tweeted out any interesting nugget about that hit:

 

 

Good for Hicks.

Even more impressive: He pulled the ball down the line. That's some serious bat speed. Now we know why he struggles so much on the soft stuff.

Once the ball hit the wall, I knew he was going to probably leg it out into three. We need him to find the gaps more!

Damn, sad I missed this today. Stupid work.....

Now we know why he struggles so much on the soft stuff.

 

Who knew the problem would turn out to be that this league is too easy? Everything looks like a changeup to him. "Shoot, fooled me again with the off-speed." "Son, Verlander was giving you his heater."

I think that speaks volumes to his approach at the plate. He was looking fastball and (finally) didn't miss when he got it. Of course that was all Rendon was throwing , but Hicks had no idea if the pitch was going to be coming at his head or in the dirt. It was great to see him make third that easily on a very hard hit ball that got to the wall quickly. He moves so effortlessly.

I think that speaks volumes to his approach at the plate. He was looking fastball and (finally) didn't miss when he got it. Of course that was all Rendon was throwing.

 

That's the thing. Rondon can't throw a breaking ball for a strike. So you look fastball and take a good hack. Incidentally, Rondon was optioned out after the game. I was thinking during the game that the guy didn't belong in AA, let alone the majors.

Nice AB for Hicks, but I think his struggles will persist a bit throughout the season. Rondon goes back down to AAA Toledo, where he led the Mud Hens to a 7-20 record to start the season.

Hicks is hitting .219/.366/.343 with 8 walks to 7 Ks and a double and triple in the 12 games since he was moved down the order. Not great but real improvement over his first 10 games.

It was a 2-1 pitch

I like learning neat things. Thanks.