Aaron Hicks, born on October 2, 1989, is an American professional baseball player who currently plays as a center fielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). Undoubtedly, Hicks has become an indispensable part of the Yankee’s starting lineup and has proven to be a game-changer with his exceptional agility, eye for the game, and hard work.
Hicks was born in Long Beach, California, and grew up in the city of San Pedro. He first rose to fame as a talented soccer player, but eventually, his love for baseball led him to a successful career in the sport. He attended Wilson High School in Long Beach, where he played baseball and gathered the attention of several MLB teams for his impressive performances.
In 2008, as a senior, Hicks was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the MLB draft. He impressed the scouts with his fast and agile performance and won the title of best defensive outfielder in the draft. Hicks has shown a tremendous climb in his baseball career since then, with a commendable record of achievements to his name.
Hicks started his journey with the Twins’ minor league team, the Beloit Snappers, and quickly made progress through the ranks. In 2013, he made his major league debut with the Twins, where he played full-time in the 2013 season. Hicks had a great start to his professional career, but struggled to maintain his form, hitting a low batting average of .240 in his rookie season.
Despite a tough start, Hicks bounced back and flourished during the 2014 season, hitting a batting average of .256 and registering an impressive 18 stolen bases. He proved to be one of the key players of the Twins’ outfield that season, earning a reputation as a versatile player with a powerful arm and excellent fielding skills.
In 2015, Hicks had some setbacks and was traded to the Yankees to join their Minor League team, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He played for the RailRiders throughout most of the season, where he showcased his superior skills on the field, hitting .286 with 8 home runs and 33 RBIs. However, Hicks also sustained a hamstring injury during that time, which kept him out of the game for a while.
Hicks returned to the Yankees in 2016, where he became a part of the major league team. He had a great season, hitting 8 home runs and batting an average of .217. Hicks also showcased his versatility by playing all three outfield positions for the Yankees throughout the season.
In 2017, Hicks cemented his position as an integral part of the Yankees team, putting up some of his best performances to date. He improved his batting average to .266, hit 15 home runs, and registered an impressive 52 RBI’s despite playing in only 88 games due to injuries. Hicks’ excellent season helped the Yankees reach the American League Championship Series, where they fell to the Houston Astros in seven games.
Hicks continued to improve his game in the following years, exhibiting excellent fielding skills and hitting capabilities. He put up solid performances in the years 2018 and 2019, registering 11 home runs and 27 RBI’s in the 2018 season and hitting 12 home runs with 36 RBIs in the 2019 season.
In 2020, Hicks had a relatively quiet season, with a batting average of .225 and 6 home runs. However, this was mostly due to the pandemic and a shortened season of just 60 games. Hicks has proven himself to be an exceptional talent and an asset to the Yankees’ team, and there are no doubt hundreds of impressive performances ahead.
Overall, Aaron Hicks has carved an impressive career for himself in the world of baseball. With a compelling track record of achievements and unwavering commitment to hard work, he has undoubtedly become a star in the game. Hicks is not just an outfielder, he’s a mentor to many young players and an inspiration to baseball lovers worldwide. Without a doubt, he is one of the most exciting players to watch on the field today.