Hicks building up more than velo
Pitcher signed to be member of rotation despite only eight starts in five seasons
For the fourth time in his life, Jordan Hicks arrived at spring training as a starting pitcher. For the first time, he hopes it stays that way.
“My whole life, this has been my dream,” Hicks said Friday, following his highest-intensity bullpen session of the young camp. “I'm fully embracing this.”
The 27-year-old right-hander holds the record for the fastest pitch ever recorded in MLB — 105 mph — but the numbers he values most now reside in the box score, not the radar gun. Since signing a four-year, $44 million freeagent contract this offseason, all that matters to Hicks are earned runs and innings pitched.
If the latter is large and the former reasonably low, Hicks doesn't mind a drop in velocity. He could shed a couple ticks and still comfortably clock triple digits. It's a tradeoff he's willing to make, if it allows him to be an effective member of a starting rotation for the first time in his major-league career.
“It's relative pacing for him. So maybe down from 105 to 99 or 100 or something like that,” manager Bob Melvin said. “But I think he's pretty aware too that he's got a really good sinker and if he's going to stay out there for a while, being economical with his pitches is going to be important.”
Throwing about 40 pitches and going two ups Friday, the next step for Hicks will be to face live hitters once they arrive Monday for the first full-squad workout of camp. He used the entirety of his arsenal — a four-seamer and two versions of a sinker, as well as a split-finger, a slider and a sweeper — reaching 96 mph.