Hicks' march toward the Mendoza

[Brock Beauchamp]

Sitting at .189 mid way through today's game. How long until he reaches .200?

 

I was against his being on the roster on Opening Day but overall, I'm pretty happy with his season. He's young, raw, but improving. And in a season like this, the team needs to roll out the youngsters and let them fail when it's not terribly important that they play at and above average level.

[gunnarthor]

Agreed (although I was ok with him on the opening day roster). He's making improvements and he's made some nice catches too. He'll be ok in the long run.

[Brad Swanson]

I agree as well, and he adds value on the basepaths too.

[beckmt]

I always believed he should start up here. It may take another year for his bat to come around, but plays great defense and good baserunning. It's a start.

[greengoblinrulz]

He defintately can hold his own hitting righthanded, but Ill be more impressed when he gets his lefthanded batting average over .200

[Brock Beauchamp]

He defintately can hold his own hitting righthanded, but Ill be more impressed when he gets his lefthanded batting average over .200

 

I'll take the victories when they come. First, start playing good defense and get that OPS close to .700. Then worry about refining his game.

[greengoblinrulz]

5-17 w/5runs in 5 games since recall w/double 7K & 2bb

Keep it up

 

Last 22gms (may 22nd)

21-77 (.273) 12runs 4doubles triple 3HR (.468slgg) 4rbi 23k 4bb (.309 OBP) .777OPS......solid

[JB_Iowa]

As long as it looks like he is making progress, its great that they keep him up.

 

He's definitely fun to watch in the field (even if his routes are pretty interesting sometimes).

 

He had an abysmal April but it really has been looking up since then.

[Badsmerf]

Ok, he's been at about a .700 OPS for a little while now. Doesn't make up for his horrible April. If he can improve his defense he can be serviceable. I just have some serious doubts that he can hit as a LH batter. Hope he can turn it around be able to make it as a 4th OF when Buxton comes up.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Ok, he's been at about a .700 OPS for a little while now. Doesn't make up for his horrible April. If he can improve his defense he can be serviceable. I just have some serious doubts that he can hit as a LH batter. Hope he can turn it around be able to make it as a 4th OF when Buxton comes up.

 

Sorry, this doesn't track at all. He's already an average defender at worst with the ability to be a ++ defender when he learns a bit more. And the rest of his year certainly does make up for his horrible April. He came in, was very overmatched, and made the adjustments a professional needs to make. He has been a nice success since May, and projects as WAY more than a 4th outfielder. Starting corner at worst.

[Brad Swanson]

Ok, he's been at about a .700 OPS for a little while now. Doesn't make up for his horrible April. If he can improve his defense he can be serviceable. I just have some serious doubts that he can hit as a LH batter. Hope he can turn it around be able to make it as a 4th OF when Buxton comes up.

 

A .700 OPS is pretty close to league-average this year. Hicks is already a good defender and he is a good to great base runner. I'm not just talking stolen bases, but his reads on batted balls, taking an extra base, etc.

 

if Hicks can post 4 months of that overall level of performance as a 23-year-old with no AAA experience, then a 4th outfielder is an extremely pessimistic outlook.

[cmb0252]

Sorry, this doesn't track at all. He's already an average defender at worst with the ability to be a ++ defender when he learns a bit more. And the rest of his year certainly does make up for his horrible April. He came in, was very overmatched, and made the adjustments a professional needs to make. He has been a nice success since May, and projects as WAY more than a 4th outfielder. Starting corner at worst.

 

Agreed. I don't understand how people haven't been impressed by Hicks. I know I have been.

 

He started bad, which was to be expected, but then adjusted which is impressive for a 23 year old. Not every prospect is Trout or Harper. Give Hicks time.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Ok, he's been at about a .700 OPS for a little while now. Doesn't make up for his horrible April. If he can improve his defense he can be serviceable. I just have some serious doubts that he can hit as a LH batter. Hope he can turn it around be able to make it as a 4th OF when Buxton comes up.

 

Why on earth would you care about his April? He was awful, as many rookies are in their first handful of ABs. What matters is how he's progressing, not how he started.

 

The kid is 23 years old. Look at the age 23 seasons of Hunter or Gomez before labeling Hicks as a 4th OFer.

[halfchest]

He had a bad ten games and has been solid since.

 

He went 2/45 in those ten and since then has a .700 ops with good d and good base running. I'll also mention that .700 ops is better than either span or revere this year. Now I'll admit I wanted him in aaa for the first half and still think that might have been the right move but I'm happy with how he's been since the first half do April

[jokin]

Sorry, this doesn't track at all. He's already an average defender at worst with the ability to be a ++ defender when he learns a bit more. worst.

 

I fully agree that his career track record suggests that he has a good chance at being a ++ defender. Given his career, it was a given that he would struggle during his first go-round in the majors, especially skipping a level. What I found most surprising was how raw his CF defense was, as this was an area where he had been advertised as major-league-ready for quite some time. His routes, bobbles and positioning have been curious at times, at other times he does the spectacular---For the record, he had both aspects of that on display on Saturday.

 

But at this point, it simply isn't true that he is an average defender-- among qualified CFers, Hicks currently ranks #15 out of 20, with a UZR of -3.0. His RngR is -6.0, ranking him 17th of 20. Major League Leaderboards » 2013 » Center Feilders » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball

 

I think Hicks will get there, he has the athleticism and the moxie, I'm guessing he'll be among the top ten CF at the plate, and in the field, at this time next year. And hopefully, he'll be the answer at leadoff starting next season, and holding it down competently until Buxton arrives to take that spot in the batting order.

[cmb0252]

I fully agree that his career track record suggests that he has a good chance at being a ++ defender. Given his career, it was a given that he would struggle during his first go-round in the majors, especially skipping a level. What I found most surprising was how raw his CF defense was, as this was an area where he had been advertised as major-league-ready for quite some time. His routes, bobbles and positioning have been curious at times, at other times he does the spectacular---For the record, he had both aspects of that on display on Saturday.

 

But at this point, it simply isn't true that he is an average defender-- among qualified CFers, Hicks currently ranks #15 out of 20, with a UZR of -3.0. His RngR is -6.0, ranking him 17th of 20. Major League Leaderboards » 2013 » Center Feilders » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball

 

I think Hicks will get there, he has the athleticism and the moxie, I'm guessing he'll be among the top ten CF at the plate, and in the field, at this time next year. And hopefully, he'll be the answer at leadoff starting next season, and holding it down competently until Buxton arrives to take that spot in the batting order.

 

Defensive stats are horrid. Every site is different and none of them agree on what to measure. Baseball-reference has him at a positive dWAR.

[jokin]

Defensive stats are horrid. Every site is different and none of them agree on what to measure. Baseball-reference has him at a positive dWAR.

 

No question that defensive stats are a quandry. But Hicks's fangraphs numbers are evidence of much of what the eye test confirms-- Inexplicable bobbles, crazy routes and poor positioning alongside some very good-to-spectacular plays.

[John Bonnes]

He might eventually become an above average defender, but IMHO he's been, at best average. His reads and reactions are terrible. He can often make up for that, but sometimes not. I'd grade him below average right now.

 

BTW, average CF in MLB has a 726 OPS. Hicks OPS by month:

 

APR - 356

MAY - 708

JUN - 709

JUL - 690

 

i don't see a ton of evidence that beyond that dismal 1st month, he's taking some huge step forward. I'd be fine with him spending time in AAA and giving Clete/Antoan a chance.

[Joe A. Preusser]

No question that defensive stats are a quandry. But Hicks's fangraphs numbers are evidence of much of what the eye test confirms-- Inexplicable bobbles, crazy routes and poor positioning alongside some very good-to-spectacular plays.

 

That assessment seems accurate to me. I just feel they average out to...average, stats be damned. We are agreed that once he refines his craft he will be well above average defensively. At the plate he has been good enough even this year after his rough start. He will be a strong player for us for the next 5-7 years at least.

[jokin]

Defensive stats are horrid. Every site is different and none of them agree on what to measure. Baseball-reference has him at a positive dWAR.

 

I just consulted Baseball-reference. They have both Aaron Hicks and Clete Thomas with a positive dWAR of 0.3. I agree with your opening sentence- defensive stats are horrid, this is clear evidence that BR's d-stats are "horrider".

[cmb0252]

He might eventually become an above average defender, but IMHO he's been, at best average. His reads and reactions are terrible. He can often make up for that, but sometimes not. I'd grade him below average right now.

 

BTW, average CF in MLB has a 726 OPS. Hicks OPS by month:

 

APR - 356

MAY - 708

JUN - 709

JUL - 690

 

i don't see a ton of evidence that beyond that dismal 1st month, he's taking some huge step forward. I'd be fine with him spending time in AAA and giving Clete/Antoan a chance.

 

How many of the other qualified CFers are 23 with less than 300 big league plate appearances? While I agree Clete/Antoan combo might be better right now but it isn't that big of an upgrade. Give the kid at bats because he is part of our future.

 

Maybe my expectations of what a rookie should do his first year is different from others. I'm impressed by Hicks performance so far but maybe that is just me.

[Brock Beauchamp]

He might eventually become an above average defender, but IMHO he's been, at best average. His reads and reactions are terrible. He can often make up for that, but sometimes not. I'd grade him below average right now.

 

BTW, average CF in MLB has a 726 OPS. Hicks OPS by month:

 

APR - 356

MAY - 708

JUN - 709

JUL - 690

 

i don't see a ton of evidence that beyond that dismal 1st month, he's taking some huge step forward. I'd be fine with him spending time in AAA and giving Clete/Antoan a chance.

 

I advocated that he spend a month in AAA after the injury but progress isn't linear. He's not going to post a better OPS every month. What matters is that he's getting the reps and learning.

[JB_Iowa]

There have only been 6 games in July -- against the Yankees & the Blue Jays. What is the OPS for the rest of the team in July?

 

He made significant progress from April to May, leveled off in June and was injured and is just now getting back to it.

 

I'd wait awhile before leaping to any conclusions on whether he has truly leveled off or whether he continues to progress.

[JB_Iowa]

OPS Last 7 days:

 

Hicks .721

Dozier 1.029

Mauer .523

Morneau .564

Doumit .632

Arcia .652

Florimon .333

Thomas .481

Plouffe .481

 

 

Congrats (and Thanks) to Brian Dozier for leading the way

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Ok, he's been at about a .700 OPS for a little while now. Doesn't make up for his horrible April. If he can improve his defense he can be serviceable. I just have some serious doubts that he can hit as a LH batter. Hope he can turn it around be able to make it as a 4th OF when Buxton comes up.

Hicks has until Sept 2014 at the earliest before he needs to worry about Buxton.

[TKGuy]

I am certainly fine playing out the season with Hicks. I find it nice that we can play Arcia, Parmelee and Hicks in the OF at the same to see what we have. That's not saying I don't want the Hanmer back

[jimbo92107]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, for I have mastered copy/paste: I don't worry about Aaron Hicks. He's the kind of guy that learns through lots of hard work and tons of repetition. He will gradually improve over the next couple years until he's as solid and knowledgeable as Michael Cuddyer, with the added tools of great speed and switch hitting. Maybe not quite the power hitting of Cuddy, but we'll all be very glad he's on our team, right beside Buxton and Arcia.

[IdahoPilgrim]

I haven't watched enough games to be able to comment authoritatively on his defense, other than to see I have seen some spectacular plays. I also know that some of those spectacular plays could have been made easier if he had taken a better route or reacted more quickly to the hit. I've also seen some real duds.

 

I guess my question is whether that will improve with time or not. It seems different to me than hitting, where there will be an obvious step up in quality for pitchers faced and thus time needed for an adjustment. But is there that much of a difference in fielding from the minors to the majors? Hicks has played CF for years - is the route taken to a fly ball different in the minors than the majors? If not, he will be acceptable for a while, because his speed allows him to compensate. But eventually that will fade, and we'll be left with another Willingham defensively.

 

Genuinely curious. Those who say he will improve defensively, help me see why.

[buckninetyone]

[Roaddog]

I have no problem with Hicks being up here. The kids need to play and i do think he will be solid in time. That and giving at bats to Thomas or Richardson makes no sense when we are still rebuilding.