Aaron Hicks is a professional baseball player who currently plays as an outfielder for the New York Yankees. He started his career with the Minnesota Twins in 2013, where he gained recognition for his skills as a defensive center fielder.
Throughout his career, Hicks has received various accolades and honors, including being named the top prospect in the Twins’ organization by Baseball America in 2008.
One of the most prestigious honors a player can receive in baseball is being named an All-Star, which recognizes players who have demonstrated exceptional performance on the field.
We will examine whether Aaron Hicks has ever been named an All-Star in his career, despite his early success and recognition as a top prospect.
Aaron Hicks’ Career
Aaron Hicks was born on October 2, 1989, in Long Beach, California. He attended Wilson Classical High School, where he played baseball and was a two-sport athlete in baseball and basketball.
Hicks was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft straight out of high school, where he was ranked the top prospect in the Twins’ organization by Baseball America.
In the minor leagues, Hicks had success as a switch-hitting center fielder with a strong arm and great defensive skills.
He played for the Twins’ farm teams, including the Gulf Coast League Twins, Beloit Snappers, Fort Myers Miracle, New Britain Rock Cats, and Rochester Red Wings. He batted .279 with 41 home runs, 239 RBIs, and 116 stolen bases over 518 minor league games.
Hicks made his Major League debut with the Minnesota Twins on April 1, 2013, against the Detroit Tigers. He hit his first career home run on May 13, 2013, against the Chicago White Sox.
In his rookie season, Hicks played in 81 games, batting .192 with 8 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 9 stolen bases. Hicks continued to play with the Twins until 2015 when he was traded to the New York Yankees.
Since joining the Yankees, Hicks has established himself as a reliable center fielder with a strong arm and great defensive skills. He has also been a consistent offensive contributor with a career batting average of .236, 80 home runs, 256 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases.
Hicks has been a part of the Yankees’ playoff teams in 2017 and 2019, where he made crucial plays in center field and had some key hits in the postseason.
What is the Mlb All-star Game?
The MLB All-Star Game is an annual exhibition game held during the middle of the baseball season, typically in July. The first All-Star Game was played in 1933 and has since become a beloved tradition in baseball.
The game features the best players from both the American League (AL) and the National League (NL), as voted by fans, players, and coaches.
The format of the All-Star Game has changed over the years, but currently, it is a nine-inning game with each league’s team consisting of 32 players.
The game’s host stadium alternates between an AL and an NL team each year, and the winning league earns home-field advantage in the World Series.
Being named an All-Star is a significant achievement in baseball, as it recognizes players who have demonstrated exceptional performance on the field.
The All-Star Game is a showcase of the best players in the league, and being selected to participate is a great honor for any player.
All-Stars are considered the elite of the sport, and it is a distinction that players can carry with them throughout their careers.
The selection process for the All-Star Game has evolved over the years, but currently, the process involves a combination of fan voting, player voting, and managerial selection.
Fans vote for the starting position players, while players and coaches vote for the reserves. The team’s manager selects the starting pitcher and the remainder of the roster.
In recent years, the selection process has been modified to include an “Election Day,” where fans can vote for their favorite players to participate in the All-Star Game.
The top three vote-getters from each position then compete in a one-day runoff election to determine the starting lineup.
Aaron Hicks and the Mlb All-star Game
Despite being recognized as a top prospect early in his career, Aaron Hicks has not yet been selected for an All-Star Game. In his first season with the Yankees in 2016, Hicks played in 123 games, batting .217 with 8 home runs, 31 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases.
In 2018, Hicks had his best season, playing in 137 games, batting .248 with 27 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases.
However, he was not selected as an All-Star in either of these seasons. In 2019, Hicks played in only 59 games due to injuries, batting .235 with 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases.
Comparing Hicks’ statistics and accomplishments to those of other All-Stars in his position and league reveals that Hicks may have been overlooked for the All-Star Game despite his contributions to his team.
For example, in 2018, the All-Star center fielders in the AL were Mike Trout, George Springer, and Mitch Haniger, all of whom had impressive offensive statistics.
However, Hicks had comparable numbers, with a higher OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) than Haniger and similar home run and RBI totals to Springer.
Additionally, Hicks is known for his defensive skills, ranking among the league’s leaders in defensive runs saved in multiple seasons.
There may be several factors that have hindered Hicks’ All-Star chances, including playing in the same league as superstar center fielders like Mike Trout and Mookie Betts.
Additionally, Hicks has had injury issues throughout his career, which may have prevented him from putting up consistent offensive numbers.
The Yankees have also had several high-profile players on their roster in recent years, which may have taken attention away from Hicks’ individual accomplishments.
Overall, while Aaron Hicks has not yet been selected as an All-Star, his consistent defensive excellence and solid offensive contributions suggest that he has been a valuable player for the Yankees.
As he continues to develop and stay healthy, it is possible that Hicks may one day earn the honor of being named an All-Star.
Other Recognition for Aaron Hicks
While Aaron Hicks has not yet been named an All-Star, he has received other recognition for his play on the field. In 2008, Hicks was named the top prospect in the Minnesota Twins’ organization by Baseball America after a strong showing in the minor leagues.
In 2013, he was named the Twins’ Rookie of the Year after making his major league debut. In 2018, Hicks received the Yankees’ Heart and Hustle Award, which recognizes players who demonstrate a passion for the game and a strong work ethic.
While being named an All-Star is undoubtedly a significant accomplishment, other awards and honors can also be meaningful indicators of a player’s skill and contribution to their team.
For example, being named a team’s Rookie of the Year recognizes a player’s early success and potential for future greatness.
Winning the Heart and Hustle Award recognizes a player’s intangibles, such as effort and dedication, which can be just as important as on-field performance.
Ultimately, while being named an All-Star is often seen as the pinnacle of individual achievement in baseball, there are many ways for players to be recognized for their contributions.
For Aaron Hicks, the awards and honors he has received demonstrate his value as a player and his dedication to the game, even if he has not yet been named an All-Star.
Here’s a Table That Compares Aaron Hicks’ Career Statistics to Those of Some of His Contemporaries Who Have Been Named All-stars:
| Player | Games played | Batting average | Home runs | RBIs | Defensive runs saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Hicks | 710 | .235 | 94 | 315 | 54 |
| Brett Gardner | 1,619 | .259 | 130 | 539 | 97 |
| Lorenzo Cain | 1,085 | .291 | 84 | 419 | 122 |
| Jackie Bradley Jr. | 895 | .236 | 91 | 322 | 43 |
Note: Data is current as of the end of the 2021 MLB season.
The table compares Aaron Hicks to three other outfielders who have been named All-Stars at some point in their careers: Brett Gardner, Lorenzo Cain, and Jackie Bradley Jr. While Hicks has not yet been named an All-Star, he has played in over 700 games and has posted solid offensive and defensive numbers throughout his career.
While his batting average is lower than the other three players in the table, he has hit more home runs and driven in more runs than Bradley Jr. and has posted more defensive runs saved than Gardner and Bradley Jr. Overall, this table shows that while Aaron Hicks has not yet been named an All-Star, he has put up numbers that compare favorably to many players who have earned that honor.
FAQs
What is Aaron Hicks’ best season in the MLB?
Aaron Hicks’ best season in the MLB was in 2018 when he played in 137 games, batted .248 with 27 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases.
Has Aaron Hicks won any championships in his career?
Yes, Aaron Hicks won a World Series championship with the New York Yankees in 2020.
What position does Aaron Hicks play?
Aaron Hicks is a center fielder.
What teams has Aaron Hicks played for in his career?
Aaron Hicks has played for two teams in his career: the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees.
How many years has Aaron Hicks played in the MLB?
Aaron Hicks made his MLB debut in 2013, so as of 2023, he has played in 10 seasons.
Has Aaron Hicks ever won a Gold Glove award?
No, Aaron Hicks has not yet won a Gold Glove award, but he has been recognized for his defensive skills with multiple defensive runs saved awards.
How has Aaron Hicks performed in the postseason?
Aaron Hicks has been a solid performer in the postseason, batting .270 with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs in 29 games as of the end of the 2021 season.
Conclusion
Aaron Hicks has had a successful career in the MLB, but has not yet been named an All-Star. While he has been recognized with other awards and honors, being named an All-Star remains one of the highest individual achievements in baseball.
However, Hicks’ consistent defensive excellence, solid offensive contributions, and work ethic make him a valuable player for the Yankees.
It is possible that he may one day earn the honor of being named an All-Star, but regardless of individual accolades, Hicks’ contributions to his team should not be overlooked.
