Cards’ rookie pitcher lights up radar guns
JORDAN HICKS THROWING IN THE 100S
Jordan Hicks can’t explain where the gas comes from. If he’s being honest, the St. Louis Cardinals rookie flamethrower doesn’t really want to. Best not to overthink it.
So the 21-year-old reliever steps on the rubber and lets his mind go blank before beginning a delivery that looks like it could fit in a phone booth. No long levers. No exaggerated windup. Just straight fire — stuff that makes the readout from the radar gun look like a misprint. 101. 102. 103. 104. 105. It’s the kind of speed that sends a jolt through the crowd and the opposing dugout alike. The kind that allowed Hicks to bypass Double-A and Triple-A entirely on his way to The Show.
Even the heir apparent to New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman as the hardest-throwing arm in the majors can’t help but peek up after letting one rip.
“I like to see because I know I just put that much effort into it, what did I get out of it?” Hicks said. “What was the final outcome?”
Typically, outs. Relying on a two-seam fastball that frequently reaching triple digits, Hicks is 2-1 with a 1.75 ERA in 24 games this season for the Cardinals, one of the constants in a bullpen that’s been erratic at best. The learning curve is still in progress — Hicks has 16 walks against 11 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings — but Matheny is encouraged that Hicks is trying to truly pitch instead of focusing on lighting up the gun.
While Matheny understands the attention that comes with Hicks’ feats — like when he threw five consecutive pitches at 103 mph and above to Philadelphia’s Odubel Herrera on May 20 — he’s just as pleased with Hicks’ mentality. Three days after going heavy to Herrera, Hicks struck out two batters in an inning of work against the Kansas City Royals.
“I was afraid he was going to try and hit 112, but he came out and probably had his best outing,” Matheny said. “And it was under control, but it still wasn’t holding back, but it was in the zone. Those are the things that we need. He can throw as hard as he wants to but control counts and have a purpose of why you’re making a pitch and not to just ‘wow’ the watching world.”
Hicks was invited to big league camp for the first time in spring training, only to find his initial stay short-lived after he had issues getting to meetings on time, something Hicks called “a learning experience” when St. Louis brought him up in late March.
Getting to the majors is one thing. Sticking around is another. Save for a bumpy appearance against the Phillies on May 17, Hicks has been dominant. Opponents are hitting just .161 against him.