Jordan Hicks to Sign with Giants: What to Make of Move

The Giants beefed up their pitching staff on January 12, as veteran reliever Jordan Hicks will reportedly sign with San Francisco on a four-year deal. However, the Giants don’t plan on using Hicks as a reliever. Here’s a closer look at the new Giants pitcher.

A Look at Hicks

Former Cardinals pitcher Jordan Hicks looked like one of the game’s best young relievers in 2018 when he first came up from the Minors. However, command and injury troubles dogged him with St. Louis.

But in 2023, an injury to Ryan Helsley pushed Hicks — who picked up a career-high 14 saves in 2019 — back into the closer’s position with the Cards. He did very well in that role and pitched well with Toronto after he was traded there last summer.

Jordan Hicks whiff map 2023 — Hicks’ whiff chart looks very different as compared to other pitchers. Because of his premium velocity, Hicks can get whiffs all over the zone, as well as to the glove side with his breaking ball.

Between St. Louis and Toronto, Hicks struck out 81 over 65.2 IP and posted one of the game’s best GB% (58.9%) rates in the game.

The former Cardinals flamethrower possesses when he’s clicking, one of the best heaters in the game. While he does have a four-seamer, Hicks’ primary pitch is a triple-digit sinker that keeps down his whiff rates but does a terrific job of beating hitters thanks to its movement and velocity.

Last season, Hicks’ average velocity of 100.1 MPH on the sinker was the second-highest in the Majors behind only Aroldis Chapman (101.1).

Hitters have to respect the velocity of Hicks. That provides an opportunity for Hicks, who can get hitters out in front with his sweeper slider that has good late action and sits in the high-80s.

On occasion, the 27-year-old’s been known to break out a changeup. However, he used it just 1.6% of the time in 2023.

The downside to Hicks is the walks. The ex-Blue Jay and Cardinal has a career BB% of 12.8%, well below the league average.

Per ESPN, Jordan Hicks is set to receive a four-year, $44MM deal with the Giants. However, the Giants reportedly plan to have Hicks be a starter. The 27-year-old’s made just eight starts in his career, all of which came in 2022.

Analysis

The Giants came into the winter with a need for starting pitching. Sean Manaea entered free agency after a rather solid season in San Francisco and the lefty turned it into a new deal with the Mets. And heading into the offseason, the only locks for the rotation were Alex Cobb — who may miss the start of 2024 due to hip surgery — and Logan Webb.

San Francisco does have Kyle Harrison as an option for Opening Day, as well as Keaton Winn and Ross Stripling. But that doesn’t change much, hence why the Giants likely made the move for Robbie Ray. Ray, though, won’t be available for the start of the year.

Jordan Hicks does give the Giants another name — but the question now becomes whether the 27-year-old can make the transition to the rotation. The righty’s a proven reliever, as he was quite good aside from command troubles. But he has a limited track record as an MLB starter after spending much of his Minor League career as a starter. Two years ago, Hicks walked 21 and gave up 16 earned runs over 26.1 IP.

San Francisco’s rival, the Padres, tried this last year with Seth Lugo. However, Lugo’s a very different pitcher. The ex-Met had prior success in the rotation, didn’t rely on overpowering hitters with velocity, and has three above-average pitches in his toolbox.

Hicks does have the premium velocity but don’t expect regular triple-digits as a starter. He’s also got a good slider. However, the key to Hicks’ future success as a starter will likely be tied to the changeup. It’s a low 90s MPH pitch that can be played off the sinker and be used to get lefties out.

He did have limited success with it in the past. But he’ll likely need it more as he transitions to become a starter.