Aaron Hicks

Aaron Hicks

35-Year-Old OutfielderOF
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2024 Fantasy Outlook
To the delight of Yankees fans, Hicks was finally released last May after he posted an abysmal .524 OPS through 20 games. He then signed with the Orioles and had a resurgence with seven homers, six steals and a .275/.381/.425 slash line in 236 plate appearances the rest of the way. While with Baltimore he showed excellent plate discipline with a 14.9 percent walk rate and 20 percent strikeout rate, both of which were his best marks since 2020. The veteran switch-hitter had pretty drastic splits with a .970 OPS versus lefties compared to a .663 OPS against righties, which limits his outlook for 2024. Hicks joined the Angels on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum (the Yankees are still paying him nearly $10 million), but he may not see enough volume to be fantasy relevant beyond streaming appeal since most of his chances seem likely to come against left-handed pitching. Read Past Outlooks
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From Preseason
#385
ADP
$Signed a one-year, $740,000 contract with the Angels in January of 2024. Released by the Angels in May of 2024.
Cut by Halos
OFFree Agent  
May 1, 2024
The Angels released Hicks on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
After the Angels designated him for assignment Monday, Hicks cleared waivers and will now enter the open market and attempt to latch on with another organization. The 34-year-old outfielder slashed .140/.222/.193 across 63 plate appearances with the Angels. If he signs elsewhere, Hicks will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal.
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Batting Stats
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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
vs Right-Handed Pitchers
vs RHP
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
1
2
7
2
vs Left-Handed Pitchers
vs LHP
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
2
Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2022
 
 
+19%
OPS vs LHP
2024
 
 
+80%
OPS vs LHP
2023
 
 
+46%
OPS vs LHP
2022
 
 
+1%
OPS vs RHP
OPS PA R HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
Since 2022vs Left .749 213 28 6 30 3 .269 .357 .392
Since 2022vs Right .628 615 76 11 51 13 .208 .321 .307
2024vs Left .610 17 2 1 2 0 .188 .235 .375
2024vs Right .339 46 4 0 3 0 .122 .217 .122
2023vs Left .970 74 12 3 15 1 .349 .446 .524
2023vs Right .663 238 32 5 21 5 .223 .324 .340
2022vs Left .637 122 14 2 13 2 .234 .320 .318
2022vs Right .644 331 40 6 27 8 .209 .333 .310
More Splits View More Split Stats
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2022
 
 
+28%
OPS on Road
2024
 
 
+17%
OPS on Road
2023
 
 
+20%
OPS on Road
2022
 
 
+40%
OPS on Road
OPS PA R HR RBI SB AVG OBP SLG
Since 2022Home .566 344 41 6 27 7 .179 .305 .261
Since 2022Away .725 484 63 11 54 9 .255 .348 .377
2024Home .369 17 2 0 1 0 .133 .235 .133
2024Away .432 46 4 1 4 0 .143 .217 .214
2023Home .658 132 20 3 10 3 .207 .333 .324
2023Away .791 180 24 5 26 3 .285 .367 .424
2022Home .523 195 19 3 16 4 .164 .292 .230
2022Away .732 258 35 5 24 6 .256 .358 .374
More Splits View More Split Stats
Stat Review
How does Aaron Hicks compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. 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.

* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
  • BB/K
    Walk to strikeout ratio
  • BB Rate
    The percentage of plate appearances resulting in a walk.
  • K Rate
    The percentage of plate appearances resulting in a strikeout.
  • BABIP
    Batting average on balls in play. Measures how many of a batter’s balls in play go for hits.
  • ISO
    Isolated Power. Slugging percentage minus batting average. A computation used to measure a batter's raw power.
  • AVG
    Batting average. Hits divided by at bats.
  • OBP
    On Base Percentage. A measure of how often a batters reaches base. Roughly equal to number of times on base divided by plate appearances.
  • SLG
    Slugging Percentage. A measure of the batting productivity of a hitter. It is calculated as total bases divided by at bats.
  • OPS
    On base plus slugging. THe sum of a batter's on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
  • wOBA
    Weighted on-base average. Measures a player's overall offensive contributions per plate appearance. wOBA combines all the different aspects of hitting into one metric, weighting each of them in proportion to their actual run value.
  • Exit Velocity
    The speed of the baseball as it comes off the bat, immediately after a batter makes contact.
  • Hard Hit Rate
    A measure of contact quality from Sports Info Solutions. This stat explains what percentage of batted balls were hit hard vs. medium or soft.
  • Barrels/PA
    The percentage of plate appearances where a batter had a batted ball classified as a Barrel. A Barrel is a batted ball with similar exit velocity and launch angle to past ones that led to a minimum .500 batting average and 1.500 slugging percentage.
  • Expected BA
    Expected Batting Average.
  • Expected SLG
    Expected Slugging Percentage.
  • Sprint Speed
    The speed of a runner from home to first, in feet per second.
  • Ground Ball %
    The percentage of balls put in play that are on the ground.
  • Line Drive %
    The percentage of balls put in play that are line drives.
  • Fly Ball %
    The percentage of balls put in play that are fly balls.
BB/K
0.26
 
BB Rate
9.5%
 
K Rate
36.5%
 
BABIP
.212
 
ISO
.053
 
AVG
.140
 
OBP
.222
 
SLG
.193
 
OPS
.415
 
wOBA
.198
 
Exit Velocity
87.5 mph
 
Hard Hit Rate
38.2%
 
Barrels/PA
3.2%
 
Expected BA
.187
 
Expected SLG
.272
 
Sprint Speed
23.6 ft/sec
 
Ground Ball %
58.8%
 
Line Drive %
14.7%
 
Fly Ball %
26.5%
 
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Aaron Hicks See More
Lineup Lowdown: American League
187 days ago
Julio Rodriguez has taken turns hitting leadoff for the Seattle Mariners, and the star outfielder is one of the players featured by Ryan Boyer running through the American League in Lineup Lowdown.
AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
190 days ago
Erik Siegrist dives into the AL free-agent pool as a host of players get ready to return from injuries, including Orioles hurler Kyle Bradish.
Weekly Hitter Rankings: Miami Runs Machine
191 days ago
The Miami Marlins are set up for a big week, facing a relatively weak set of starting pitchers, and the Marlins could capitalize with a big week of offense, as Todd Zola presents this week's Hitter Rankings.
Lineup Lowdown: American League
201 days ago
With Anthony Volpe vaulting up to the top of the New York Yankees' lineup, Ryan Boyer delivers Lineup Lowdown, with trends and movement up and down American League lineups.
Weekly Hitter Rankings: Manic Monday
205 days ago
Todd Zola presents the Weekly Hitter Rankings.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Hicks played in 130 games, but he only marginally improved from his disappointing 2021 campaign. His strikeout and walk rates were close to career norms, but he registered a career low average exit velocity while his Hard Hit rate and Barrel% both fell. To be fair, Hicks played with lingering calf and hamstring issues. When healthy, Hicks has been a starter throughout his tenure with the Yankees. With Harrison Bader acquired last year, Hicks will likely transition to a fourth outfielder role. His subpar batting average already limited his mixed league allure, but without regular playing time, Hicks is relegated to AL-only deployment.
Injuries plagued Hicks once again during the 2021 campaign, as he was limited to 32 games by a wrist tendon injury, and he also struggled when healthy with a .627 OPS. He appears to be healthy for the start of spring training, but how long that lasts is the true question. Hicks is the favorite to start in center field since the Yankees haven't meaningfully addressed the position during the offseason, but his appeal heading into his age-32 season remains limited due to his consistent injury issues.
Had the 2020 season started on time, Hicks' rehab from Tommy John surgery would likely have pushed his debut to right around the All-Star break. With the delay, he was the Yankees' Opening Day center fielder. Hicks went on to play 54 games, but it was revealed after the season his arm never felt right and he had to shorten his swing. The result was hitting fewer flyballs along with a lower HR/FB, dampening power. On the plus side, Hicks' already-patient approach improved even more as he walked a career-high 19.4% of the time while fanning at an 18.0% clip, his lowest level since 2015. It's unclear if Hicks' elbow will return to normal, enabling him to revert to his former swing. Regardless, Hicks' lack of durability has always limited his appeal in mixed formats.
The oft-injured Hicks opened the 2019 campaign on the IL with back woes, debuting with the club in mid-May. In early August, Hicks was sidelined with a right flexor strain, missing the rest of the season, though he returned for the playoffs. It turned out Hicks needed Tommy John surgery, performed in late October. Barring a setback, the expectation is for an August return. In between IL stints, Hicks' numbers were underwhelming as his K% ballooned to a career-worst 28% while his BB% dropped to 12.2%, a couple ticks lower than the past couple of seasons. Hicks attempted only three steals, with just one successful try. His power was on par with recent numbers, but more strikeouts reduced the balls in play. It's unclear what Hicks' role will be after returning. He should be ignored on draft day, unless you can stash him on IL in deep leagues since it's not worth tying up a reserve spot.
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. 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. Hicks has taken to hitting in Yankee Stadium as he has 27 of his 42 homers over the past two seasons at home. He has turned himself into a very patient hitter that earns a high share of walks (15.5 BB% in 2018) and that has led to strong on-base percentages the past two seasons. 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. Double-digit steals are the cherry on top.
The Yankees deserve a lot of credit; not only for trading for Hicks, but for being patient with him after an ugly first season in pinstripes. Hicks tooks a massive step forward in 2017, offensively, boosting his wOBA 93 points while nearly doubling his wRC+ (from 64 to 127). 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. 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. The team has already thrown its weight behind Hicks, tabbing him as an everyday starter over Jacoby Ellsbury. Playing-time concerns remain given his injury history -- Hicks made two separate trips to the DL in 2017 due to oblique issues -- but there is upside here at a relatively cheap price.
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. But after hitting .307 with an OPS of .870 against southpaws in 2015, the 27-year-old struggled tremendously against lefties in 2016 to the tune of a lowly .161/.213/.271 slash line. Although the switch-hitter was better against righties, he managed just a .217 average overall. The outfielder maintained a low .251 BABIP, so poor luck may have been partly to blame, and seven of his eight home runs came at Yankee Stadium, indicating he might be able to take advantage of the hitter-friendly home field going forward. 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. 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. When he returned from the DL in July, something finally clicked as he hit 10 home runs with a .766 OPS over the rest of the season. Hicks has always been an asset with his glove in the outfield, where he was an above average center fielder by most defensive metrics. He also has a strong arm that makes him capable of playing right field effectively. Hicks struggled with a .596 OPS vs. righties last season and has a large platoon split in his career, so he may be limited to a platoon role. He was traded to the Yankees for catcher John Ryan Murphy in the offseason. 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. He won the starting center field job last season with a strong spring training, but struggled the first two months with just a .567 OPS. He got so frustrated that he tried to change his approach at the plate in May by quitting switch hitting and hitting only from the right side. He then missed time with a shoulder injury and was sent to Double-A to try and regroup. He began switch hitting again and hit .297 with a .870 OPS at Double-A. However, he hit just .250 with a .648 OPS when called up to the majors in September. Hicks has a strong all-around skill set if he can finally find his footing in the majors. He has good range in the outfield with a strong arm, adds speed on the basepaths, draws walks and has shown he can hit the long ball at times in the minors and spring training. Hicks' major liability is that he's too passive at the plate and fails to make good contact on balls in the strike zone. He also struggles against right-handed pitchers with a career .548 OPS against righties in the majors. Despite his trials, Hicks could win a starting job in the outfield again this spring or stay on the major league roster as a reserve outfielder. 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. However, Hicks struggled in his first exposure to the majors by hitting .192/.259/.338 before he was sent to Triple-A in August. He then struggled in the minors with heel and wrist injuries, hitting just .222 and wasn't recalled in September. Hicks had shown great plate discipline and defense, along with improving power in the minors, but almost all of those traits were absent in the majors. 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. Hicks' speed could make him valuable for fantasy purposes even if he disappoints elsewhere. He'll likely begin the season at Triple-A, but should get another chance at the starting center field job at some point during the season. He'll need to improve as his window to win a regular outfield job may be small with Byron Buxton and several top outfield prospects nearly ready for the majors.
The 2008 first-round pick had shown different elements of his all-around talent during his minor league career, but had not put it all together until last season. Hicks always had great plate discipline and defense, but he finally added power last season and has improved his platoon splits (.811 OPS vs. LH, .859 OPS vs. RH) as the switch hitter previously struggled against righties. His 32 stolen bases show he could be a five-category player some day in the majors. With the trades of Denard Span and Ben Revere, Hicks will be given a shot at the starting center field job in spring training. He will likely begin this season at Triple-A, but he could be a starter in the majors at some point in 2013.
Hicks, the 14th overall pick in the 2008 draft, has all the tools the scouts love and the patience at the plate stat heads love, but his prospect stock is slipping since he's never put it all together on the field. Hicks hit a lackluster .242/.354/.368 with just five home runs at High-A Fort Myers. He then started off slow in the Arizona Fall League, but finished strong to hit .294/.400/.559 with three home runs in 30 games. His lack of power at High-A is a worry, but he's seen as a five-tool player with great plate discipline and a strong arm and good range in the outfield. He'll likely begin the season at Double-A New Britain. 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. 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. He improved in the second half by hitting .308/.429/.459. He also had a large platoon split (1.113 OPS vs lefties, .722 OPS vs. righties) which could limit him at higher levels. Still, he's seen as a five-tool player with great plate discipline and a strong arm and good range in the outfield. He'll likely begin the season at Double-A New Britain. Even a modest improvement at the plate should put him in Minnesota's plans in 2013, but he'll need a breakout season to be considered among the elite prospects in baseball again.
Hicks, the 14th overall pick in the 2008 draft, entered last season as Minnesota's top hitting prospect, but disappointed at Low-A Beloit with just a .735 OPS. He still drew walks at a good rate, but didn't have much power (just a .382 SLG). Still, he's a five-tool player with signs of great plate discipline and has a strong arm and range in the outfield. He was held back in extended spring training, so don't downgrade him too much since he played just 67 games. He's still regarded as a top prospect and could be an impact player in the majors.
Hicks, the 14th overall pick in the 2008 draft, looks like Minnesota's top hitting prospect as a five-tool player with signs of strong plate discipline. Hicks hit .318/.409/.491 with 12 steals in rookie ball along with a strong arm and range in the outfield. A strong season at Low-A Beloit could have him on the fast track for the majors.
More Fantasy News
DFA'd by Angels
OFLos Angeles Angels  
April 29, 2024
The Angels designated Hicks for assignment Monday.
ANALYSIS
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Taking seat Thursday
OFLos Angeles Angels  
April 18, 2024
Hicks is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
ANALYSIS
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Poaching work from Sano
OFLos Angeles Angels  
April 14, 2024
Hicks will serve as the Angels' designated hitter and No. 5 batter in Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
ANALYSIS
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Sitting again Sunday
OFLos Angeles Angels  
April 7, 2024
Hicks is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
ANALYSIS
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Gets breather Friday
OFLos Angeles Angels  
April 5, 2024
Hicks isn't in the Angels' lineup for Friday's game against the Red Sox, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Solidifying lineup spot
OFBaltimore Orioles  
June 23, 2023
Manager Brandon Hyde said Friday it will be tough to keep Hicks out of the lineup when the Orioles are healthy if he continues to hit well, according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun.
ANALYSIS
The veteran outfielder has taken over as Baltimore's primary center fielder with Cedric Mullins on the shelf due to a groin injury, but the latter is closing in on his return. Hicks had a horrid start to the year with the Yankees but has found new life for the Orioles with a .995 OPS in 66 plate appearances. Austin Hays, Anthony Santander and Ryan O'Hearn also have strong offensive numbers, so Hyde may soon have some tough decisions to make in the outfield once Mullins is reinstated.
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