Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America
All this focus on Aaron Judge is incredibly exciting. He's quickly becoming the most dangerous hitter in baseball today. As YES says, "he's must see TV." But there's another outfielder who's flown under the radar mostly because of Judge's success also named Aaron who is having one heck of a year. The other outfielder named Aaron Hicks is realizing the potential originally identified when we was drafted by Minnesota Twins in the first round in 2008. The 27-year-old centerfielder is a must have in the lineup every night even when Jacoby Ellsbury is ready to return.
Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America
Former teammate Torii Hunter said he always gave Hicks some "tough love" and he's responding in a big way. "Hicks was always a five-tool talent; he just needed to learn how to study pitchers, master the mental side of the game," said Hunter as reported by Fox Sports.
Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America
So you could say that Hicks has studied and is getting some A's, if you will, in his at bats, raising his batting average to .313 just before last night's game. Besides his rising batting average, Hicks has a ".424 on-base percentage and .578 slugging percentage – good for third in the American League in OPS (Judge is first). He already has established his career-high with 14 doubles, and his 10 home runs are one short of his previous best," reported Fox Sports
Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America
Besides Hunter providing Hicks some much needed mentoring, Hall of Famer Rod Carew has kept in touch with the young outfielder and offered his advice and guidance. “He’s real big on going to left-center,” Hicks said, chuckling. “I always would tell him that I wanted to hit the ball in the air. He would say, ‘Hit the ball to left-center, that’s how you get 3,000 hits," reported Fox Sports
Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America
The Other Aaron has become as critical to the Yankee team as the guy to his left, the guy he lost right field to in spring training. Hicks has made the most of the opportunity he has been given. He can hit, he can hustle and he wins ball games, consistently. His contributions are valuable and when Ellsbury is ready to play again, Joe Girardi will have to make some tough decisions. As far as I'm concerned, the Other Aaron has earned his place in the lineup all season.
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