An MRI on Saturday revealed traumatic bursitis in Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks' left shoulder. Hicks tooks a massive step forward in 2017, offensively, boosting his wOBA 93 points while nearly doubling his wRC+ (from 64 to 127). He improved in the second half by hitting .308/.429/.459. So I just called him and said with the off day (on Monday), let’s just (shut you down for Sunday),” the Yankee manager said. In early August, Hicks was sidelined with a right flexor strain, missing the rest of the season, though he returned for the playoffs. How does Aaron Hicks compare to other hitters?
He got off to a slow start a Low-A Beloit, bothered briefly by a wrist injury, hitting just .256/.378/.403 in the first half. Hicks hits for a better average from the left side of the plate, but is by no means a slouch as a righty -- his offensive production has been above league average in four of the past five seasons. Sure, the new ball helped him, as did the dimensions at Yankee Stadium (12 of 15 homers at home), but neither of those factors figure to change in 2018. He walked at an excellent 14.1 percent clip (up from 8.3 percent), maintained a manageable strikeout rate (18.6 percent) and tapped into more power than ever. The oft-injured Hicks opened the 2019 campaign on the IL with back woes, debuting with the club in mid-May. Hicks may still be months away from his first in-game appearance, but hearing he's progressing well is good news considering the Yankees are in the midst of an injury-plagued spring.
Hicks' major liability is that he's too passive at the plate and fails to make good contact on balls in the strike zone. The Twins sent him back to Triple-A at the end of spring training last season before he was called up in May and didn't show much (.594 OPS), then landing on the DL in June with a forearm strain.
Hicks attempted only three steals, with just one successful try.
Attention: All rights belong to MLB Advanced Media. More likely, he begins the season in Triple-A and tries to prove he's the everyday player the Twins expected him to become after investing a first-round pick in Hicks in 2008.Hicks entered last season as one of Minnesota's top outfield prospects and surprisingly won the starting center field job after an impressive spring training performance (he hit .370 and had a three-homer game) – moving from Double-A to the majors. Follow @sports_stories on instagram for 24/7 coverage of the NFL, MLB and NBA. He then missed time with a shoulder injury and was sent to Double-A to try and regroup. Mar 03, 2019 at 10:20 PM . He should be in there Tuesday.” Hicks signed a seven-year, $70 million extension with the Yankees last month. Frazier missed most of last season after suffering a concussion during last spring training. Still, he's a five-tool player with signs of great plate discipline and has a strong arm and range in the outfield. I am not anticipating any problem. Still, he's seen as a five-tool player with great plate discipline and a strong arm and good range in the outfield. The club will discuss placing him on the disabled list.Hicks "woke up sore" a day after jamming his
He was traded to the Yankees for catcher John Ryan Murphy in the offseason. However, he hit just .250 with a .648 OPS when called up to the majors in September. Although the switch-hitter was better against righties, he managed just a .217 average overall. Hicks received a cortisone injection and will not participate in baseball activities for four-to-five days. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.Juan Pablo Aravena breaks down Thursday's Rays at Yankees game for Dream11 contests.Juan Pablo Aravena breaks down Sunday's Red Sox at Yankees game for Dream11 contests.Juan Pablo Aravena breaks down Wednesday's Phillies at Yankees game for Dream11 contests.Juan Pablo Aravena breaks down Sunday's Red Sox at Yankees game for Dream11 contests.Chris Bennett explored Friday's slate, recommending a White Sox stack against the Royals.Hicks remained healthy and saw the most playing time of his career in 2018, not only clearing 400 PA for the first time but pushing up close to 600 PA while batting mostly in the top third of the Yankees' order. The top outfield prospect came into camp looking to prove he can stay healthy “He should be good to go. It was frustrating for Hicks to take a step back last season following the best campaign of his career in 2015, but he's still just 27 and will likely be given the chance to win a platoon role again in 2017.Hicks finally turned the corner last season and flashed the skills of a future regular. Hicks' speed could make him valuable for fantasy purposes even if he disappoints elsewhere. Hicks will add fantasy value with his speed on the basepaths as he had 13 stolen bases last season.Hicks struggled in the majors for a second consecutive season and it's not clear if the former top prospect will fit in the team's plans for 2015. Hicks has always been an asset with his glove in the outfield, where he was an above average center fielder by most defensive metrics.
Hicks faces a critical season at age 22, as a breakout year could put him in Minnesota's plans as early as 2013, but another lackluster one could stall his career in the high minors.Hicks, the 14th overall pick in the 2008 draft, improved from a disappointing 2009 season, but failed to put up the kind of numbers expected from a top prospect. Clint Frazier left Sunday's split-squad game in Dunedin after being hit by a pitch on his left forearm. He has maintained a slightly-better-than-average contact rate as he has increased his power production over the past few seasons and should maintain an everyday job in a loaded lineup. “He felt good today. There is some hope he'll rebound as Hicks has had a pattern of struggling in his first exposure to each level after being promoted in the minors and he did have eight homers and nine steals despite the disappointing results. Brought on as a possible small-side platoon option in the outfield, Hicks started nearly every game against left-handed pitching in his first year in the Bronx.
Hicks hit a lackluster .242/.354/.368 with just five home runs at High-A Fort Myers. He still drew walks at a good rate, but didn't have much power (just a .382 SLG).