Jordan Hicks’ made a statement loud and clear that he is here to compete and dominate in his first season as a full-time starter. Just three starts into his career, one of baseball’s best flamethrowers takes the top spot in Week 2 of our #HighFive List.
1.Jordan Hicks
Over the off-season, Houston, Texas native Jordan Hicks was one of the more sought after pitchers on the market.
He ultimately ended up signing a four-year $44 million deal with San Francisco, but it came as a surprise when the Giants announced they acquired him to be a part of their starting rotation.
In his third start of the season Wednesday, Hicks got the win over the Nationals, throwing six innings of one run baseball and giving up just four hits with two hits and two strikeouts.
Through his first three starts, his record stands at 2-0 with an ERA of 1.00 and 13 strikeouts through 18 innings.
Hicks, who spent last season with both the Blue Jays and Cardinals is known for his electric fastball out of the bullpen, one of which tied a Major League record for fastest pitch ever recorded in 2018 at 105 MPH.
Hicks’ level of play to begin the season should send worries through the National League West as the Giants now have three pitchers at the top of their rotation that can dominate on a nightly basis.
His next start will come Tuesday in Miami.
2. Marcus Semien
World Series Marcus Semien has started fast during the team’s title defense as he claims the two spot on our #HighFive List.
After receiving his World Series Ring last week, Semien added more hardware to his trophy case after being awarded his second ever Silver Slugger award.
Over his last seven games Semien is slashing .333/.419/.519 with a home run, five RBI, seven runs scored and a stolen base.
Last Friday Semien had one of the best games I have seen him play in a Ranger uniform.
He finished 3-for-3 with a home run, two walks, three RBI and scored two runs against their rival Astros.
Semien will look to continue his success against those same Astros, who he has an average over .460, five home runs and 15 RBI against since 2023 this weekend.
3. Triston McKenzie “Dr. Sticks”
“Dr. Sticks” shook back in a big way in the Guardians home opener against the White Sox going 5.2 shutout innings allowing only three hits and four walks.
“I could feel the energy from the crowd and the guys in here,” McKenzie told reporters post game. “We had a long road trip so getting out there and putting up zeros was nice.”
This was the first time since September of 2022 that McKenzie had thrown more than five innings in a game. Last season was disappointing, and injury filled for Cleveland’s young right hander. He finished 2022 with a 2.96 ERA that earned him a Rolex watch from Marcus Stroman and is looking to find that form again this time around.
The next time McKenzie takes the mound, the Brooklyn native will face his hometown Yankees on Saturday.
4. Giancarlo Stanton
After hitting a blast to the Yankees short porch in right field Wednesday night against Miami, Stanton became the 15th active player to hit a home run versus all 30 Major League teams, earning him the fourth spot on our #HighFive List.
When Stanton is on the type of tear like he is now, it can be special to watch, and it makes the Yankees one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. Over his last five games, Stanton is hitting .421 with three home runs and seven RBI. The team’s record stands at 4-1 over that span.
Stanton and the Yankees will travel to Cleveland this weekend where on Saturday, he faces fellow #HighFive member Triston McKenzie.
5. C.J. Abrams
The Washington Nationals are the only team with an all-black left side of the infield and after Trey “Tha Truth” Lipscomb made his #HighFive debut last week, C.J. Abrams gets the nod this time around.
Abrams has played at a superstar level since All-Star Break and looks poised to take the leap into superstardom this season.
Abrams is hitting .306 with a .970 OPS, eight RBI and three home runs, one of which he launched deep into the San Francisco sky in what ended up being a 5-3 Nats win.
Washington will travel to the city of Oakland for the final time this weekend to face fellow Georgia native Lawerence Butler and the A’s.
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