Aaron Hicks and Jo Adell Went Head Up This Spring For LA Angels Roster Spot
Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington knew he would have some tough decisions to make if he wanted to transform Mike Trout’s team into playoff contenders. Opening day is less than a week away and the Angels outfield is kind of crowded.
The Halos have five options to fill what is traditionally four spots. Mike Trout and Taylor Ward of course are already penciled in as starters, so there’s been some stiff competition for those third and fourth outfield spots between Mickey Moniak, Jo Adell and free agent signing Aaron Hicks.
Jo Adell, who we’ve been waiting to have that breakout season and get the call every day, is out of minor league options and the Angels are unlikely to trade him or let him hit waivers, so he will be playing. The 26-year-old started on Opening Day 2023.
Teams don’t usually carry five outfielders on their roster; however, Washington believes he can finesse the outfield rotation in his favor over the course of 162 games.
“It’s not gonna be hard because whatever lineup I put out, it’s gonna be the lineup,” Washington said. “So it’s not going to be hard. They’ll get some playing time, every single one of them. So how I’m going to do it, I really couldn’t tell you that right now. But they are going to get some playing time.
“Who’s the pitcher, who has good matchups, who fits well at that time against that pitcher, those types of things,” Washington said. “Who needs a break? And we’ll use the DH, because every one of those guys is gonna find themselves getting a little bit of DH time also.”
Adell has been on a roller coaster between the pros and minor leagues for several seasons now. Of not for his lack of options, he most likely would have been optioned to Triple- A to keep getting at-bats, while Moniak and Hicks shared a platoon role.
Hicks slashed .349/.446/.524 with a .970 OPS against left-handed pitching last season while Moniak slashed .294/.322/.544 with an .866 OPS against righties.
If Adell can gain some consistency with his bat-to-ball skills, while showing more than just flashes of the elite power he possesses, he can lock down a significant amount of time at DH and also spell Moniak or Hicks on any given day.
Aaron Hicks Wants Te Be Everyday Player Again
Hicks had a career resurgence once he left the Yankees and ended up in Baltimore, helping the Orioles capture their first AL East division title after nearly a decade-drought. He naturally wants to play every day again, as he’s been the best of the three competing outfielders in Spring Training.
“If you make yourself feel like you’re a bench player, you’re going to be a bench player,” Hicks said this week. “Obviously, I want to work my way into playing every single day. But, you know, whenever my name is called, I’ll be ready to go.”
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Washington has his work cut out with an Angels team who was 73-89 last season and that was with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani’s masterful pitching and hitting. Ohtani is gone and LA will try to piece together a competitive lineup. With renowned fielding specialist Washington at the helm, we know defense will be a strongpoint of this rebuilding club.
MLBbro Spring Training: Aaron Hicks Comes Back Home To California With LA Angels
WELCOME HOME Aaron Hicks!!
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Aaron Hicks is ready to begin his 12th season in the big leagues. When the regular season begins on March 28th, he will be playing for a team that truly is close to home for him.
The Southern California native is excited about 2024: “It feels amazing, playing in front of family is definitely going to be fun”.
Speaking of fun, he also added another benefit of being back in very familiar territory:
“I’ll be able to visit all of the breakfast spots I used to go to back in the day,” Hicks told MLBbro.com.
The beginning of the baseball season always has its share of delays in the East and Midwest, which no ballplayer loves. Part of Hicks’ excitement is being at home in the early part of the season.
“Playing on the west coast is obviously better weather from the start” the switch hitter mentioned.
His manager Ron Washington is a veteran skipper but like Hicks is in his first year with the Angels as well.
Hicks was perfect on the stolen base paths in 2023 but chuckled when asked about his new manager’s baseball philosophy: “It’s a lot more running than I’m used to”.
Hicks is usually at or near the top of the lineup so we can expect him to be a big part of what Washington plans to do this season. The always important relationship between player and manager seems to be very good.
“I’ve been talking to him a lot. Having conversations with him about certain situations and what he wants us to do as a team” Hicks said.
Hicks is a product of Major League Baseball’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton, California.
“A lot of it was the people around me. Being able to go through the academy was huge for me. I kind of had an idea of what the pros would be like” Hicks suggested. “As a sophomore in high school, I’m talking to professionals, and they are explaining different ways to play the game and now I’m understanding different situations before I’m supposed to” he reflected on.
There is a certain retired outfielder that played 19 years in the major leagues, five of which were with Hicks current team that he is fond of.
“Torii Hunter. I just enjoyed the way he played the game, and he could steal some homeruns with some incredible defense.” Hicks said. “In 2015 to play with him and it was truly amazing to have that experience with him” he concluded.
With a new setting and team along with a veteran manager, Hicks will provide leadership to this roster.
The Yankees Told Aaron Hicks He Was Done | The MLBbro Rose Like A Phoenix For Baltimore
Aaron Nicks Orioles’ outfielder #AaronHicks has resurrected his career in Baltimore after the New York Yankees gave up on this #MLBbro earlier in the season.
Now Hicks is on a Baltimore Orioles roster that has a real shot at representing the American League in the 2023 World Series.
Cedric Mullins, Aaron Hicks & Jack Flaherty Are About To Lock Down Baltimore Orioles First Division Title Since 2014
The last time the Orioles hoisted the division title, they had just two MLBbros, Adam Jones and Delmon Young, on their American League Division Series roster.
Fast forward nine years, and the Orioles now boast three black faces in the form of Cedric Mullins, Aaron Hicks, and Jack Flaherty and after defeating the Nationals 5-1 on Wednesday night, they can clinch the AL East division for the first time since 2014 with a win on Thursday.
“I’m extremely impressed by the grit of our team, how tough they are, how we continue to battle,” manager Brandon Hyde said.
As the Orioles set their sights on the division and ultimately reaching the World Series for the first time since 1983, these three MLBbros will undoubtedly be at the forefront of their efforts. However, their success will hinge on their ability to elevate their performance when it matters most.
“The attitude for each of us is that we’re going to be the ones to [get the job done],” Mullins said. “If not us, we know we’re passing it to the next guy, and that’s how the clubhouse scene has been. Just having faith in each other and trust in each other that we’re going to get it done.”
Cedric “CM Storm” Mullins
Mullins, the defensive linchpin of the team as the center fielder and a seasoned veteran who has battled through injuries, faces a pressing challenge. He has struggled at the plate recently, managing just one hit in his last 20 at-bats. Mullins’s defensive prowess will remain crucial, but his offensive contributions will be vital in propelling the Orioles deep into the playoffs.
“He’s a top-tier center fielder, one of the best in the league,” right-hander Kyle Bradish said. “Whenever he’s out there, the ball goes up, you think he’s going to get there.”
“Black” Jack Flaherty
Flaherty, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline, has had a rough transition to the Orioles. With a 1-3 record and a 6.68 ERA over eight games (including seven starts) and 33 and two-thirds innings pitched, Flaherty is determined to find his groove. The opposition has hit .308 against him during this span. Baltimore is counting on Flaherty’s talent to shine through as he adapts to his new surroundings and steps up in critical postseason moments.
“It’s been a lot of, ‘Do what you do,’ and, ‘Pitch the way you know how to pitch, and things will go well,’” Flaherty said of the message he’s received in Baltimore. “So that’s a good feeling to have when things kind of haven’t worked out.”
Aaron “The Avenger” Hicks
Hicks, who found himself cut loose by the Yankees earlier this season, has experienced a resurgence since returning from the injured list. In September, he boasts an impressive .351 batting average with 11 RBIs. However, he must maintain his productivity when the playoff spotlight shines brightest in October.
“We don’t have a ton of older veteran presence in our lineup, and so I was hoping that he could come here and just maybe play easy and play like he has nothing to lose, and he did that,” Hyde said.
The Orioles’ resurgence is a testament to their rebuilding efforts, especially their potent farm system that built a team capable of making a deep playoff run. But for Mullins, Hicks, and Flaherty, the limelight may shine brighter with a fanbase yearning for representation of the area to succeed.
Only one of Charm City’s top 30 prospects, Enrique Bradfield Jr., is an MLBbro. This makes it imperative for the trio to showcase their abilities on the postseason stage. In doing so, they not only contribute to their playoff aspirations but also ensure that the pipeline of talent continues to grow in marginalized communities and the culturally rich city of Baltimore.
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