Jordan Hicks is back to fishing games regularly for the first time in four years, and he’s doing it about as well as he ever has.
The electric-armed 26-year-old has taken over as the St. Louis Cardinals' closer full time with Ryan Helsley on the injured list. The doubt with Hicks has never been the arsenal. When he’s on, there are few big league pitchers who boast the repertoire Hicks has, with a heater that runs north of 100 mph and breaking pitches that sit in the high 80s.
He’s 5-of-5 in save opportunities dating back to June 17, good for a 1.80 ERA with a .188 opponents’ batting average. He’s struck out seven with no walks in those games.
The reemergence of Hicks has been to the benefit of not just himself, but the entire Cardinals bullpen.
“Absolutely (it helps the rest of the bullpen), especially when you don’t have Helsley to pick up innings,” Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said Wednesday in his weekly interview on Total Information AM. “He’s stepped up and he’s closing games extremely, extremely well. He’s got the mentality for it, he’s created habits that are allowing him to be more consistent, and we’re seeing a really good version of Jordan Hicks.
“But that’s what it looks like, last night he came in, didn’t take a whole lot of pitches to do it and was dominant. But he’s continuing to go out there and slam the door, and it’s looked really good.”
It’s unclear if Helsley will be able to walk back into the closer role once he’s healthy. But if the job is up for grabs when everyone is available, suffice it to say Hicks has made a strong case for himself so far.
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