Jordan Hicks Bio
Jordan McKinley Hicks is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in Major League Baseball (MLB). Known for his exceptional fastball velocity, Hicks has built a career that has taken him across several organizations in both relief and starting roles. He is recognized as one of the hardest throwers the league has ever seen, having been measured at speeds that match the all-time record.
Born and raised in Texas, Hicks was drafted out of high school by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015. Over the course of his career, he has played for the Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox, establishing himself as a durable and high-velocity arm. His journey from a third-round draft pick to a multi-million-dollar free agent signing reflects both his talent and his resilience through injuries.
Early Life and Background
Jordan McKinley Hicks was born on September 6, 1996, in Klein, Texas. He grew up in the Houston area, where he developed a love for the game as a Houston Astros fan. Hicks attended Klein Oak High School in Klein before transferring to Cypress Creek High School in Houston for his senior year, a move that put him in a stronger baseball program as he prepared for the next level.
Coming out of high school, Hicks was considered a top amateur prospect thanks to his powerful arm. He signed a letter of intent to play college baseball at Tulane University, but his performance on the mound during his senior year convinced MLB teams that he was ready for professional baseball. That decision set the stage for his rapid rise through the minor leagues.
Path to Baseball
Hicks’s path to professional baseball began when the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the third round of the 2015 MLB draft. He signed with the Cardinals for $600,000, choosing to forgo his commitment to Tulane and begin his pro career immediately. The signing bonus reflected the organization’s confidence in his raw talent, particularly his elite arm speed.
He made his professional debut in 2016 with the Johnson City Cardinals of the rookie-level Appalachian League. Midseason, he earned a promotion to the State College Spikes of the Low-A New York-Penn League, where he posted strong numbers. In 12 starts between the two clubs, Hicks went 6-2 with a 2.97 ERA, giving the Cardinals a clear sign that their young flame-thrower was progressing on schedule.
Jordan Hicks Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
Hicks opened the 2017 season with the Peoria Chiefs of the Single-A Midwest League, where he earned a spot in the Midwest League All-Star Game. His performance there led to a midseason promotion to the Palm Beach Cardinals of the High-A Florida State League. With Palm Beach, he recorded a 1.00 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 27 innings, demonstrating the kind of dominance that justified his top prospect status.
He finished 2017 with a combined 8-3 record and a 2.74 ERA across 22 games and 19 starts between Peoria and Palm Beach. The Cardinals then assigned Hicks to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, where he was selected to the Fall Stars Game. During the AFL season, he reached pitch velocities as high as 102.6 mph, signaling that his fastball was already among the most explosive in the game.
St. Louis Cardinals Breakthrough (2018-2023)
Hicks made his major league debut on Opening Day of the 2018 season against the New York Mets, despite never having pitched above High-A. In that appearance, his average fastball velocity registered at 100.4 mph, the highest of any pitcher that day. He picked up his first major league strikeout against Jay Bruce and earned his first MLB win on April 21 against the Cincinnati Reds.
On May 20, 2018, Hicks threw a pitch measured at 105.1 mph, tying the all-time MLB record for fastest pitch ever recorded, a mark shared with Aroldis Chapman. He finished his rookie season with a 3-4 record, six saves, a 3.59 ERA, and 70 strikeouts in 77 2/3 relief innings, cementing his reputation as one of baseball’s most electric arms.
Hicks began 2019 as the Cardinals’ closer, but his season was cut short on June 22 when he was removed from a game with elbow discomfort. He was later diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery on June 26, 2019, ending his year. He returned in 2021 and continued to serve in a relief role, signing a one-year deal worth $937,500 to avoid arbitration.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2023)
On July 30, 2023, the Cardinals traded Hicks to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league pitchers Adam Kloffenstein and Sem Robberse. He became the first Blue Jays player to wear uniform number 12 since Edwin Encarnacion in 2010. Wearing number 12, Hicks joined a contender late in the season and provided quality innings in the bullpen.
In 25 appearances down the stretch for Toronto, Hicks posted a 2-3 record with a 2.63 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and four saves over 24 innings of work. His strong late-season performance helped him hit free agency in good standing, setting the stage for one of the most significant contracts of his career.
San Francisco Giants Era (2024-2025)
On January 18, 2024, Hicks signed a four-year contract worth $44 million with the San Francisco Giants. Although he had been a reliever for most of his career, the Giants converted him into a starting pitcher, a transition that required him to develop new routines and pitch mixes. In his first year with San Francisco, he made 29 appearances and 20 starts, going 4-7 with a 4.10 ERA and 96 strikeouts across 109 2/3 innings.
Hicks’s second season with the Giants was more difficult. In 2025, he made 13 appearances and nine starts, struggling to a 1-5 record and a 6.47 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 48 1/3 innings. The challenges of his starting role, combined with lingering effects from prior injuries, made for a difficult stretch that ultimately led to a trade.
Boston Red Sox Era (2025)
On June 15, 2025, the San Francisco Giants traded Hicks to the Boston Red Sox as part of a package that included Kyle Harrison, James Tibbs III, and Jose Bello, sent in exchange for star hitter Rafael Devers. The trade gave Hicks a fresh opportunity in a new organization and a chance to reset his role in the bullpen.
According to Baseball Reference, Hicks finished the 2025 season with the lowest pitching wins above replacement in MLB, at minus-1.8. Despite the difficult statistical line, his arm strength remained an asset, and he continued to draw attention for his ability to miss bats at the top of the strike zone.
Chicago White Sox Era (2026-Present)
On February 1, 2026, the Boston Red Sox traded Hicks and David Sandlin to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Gage Ziehl. The move gave Hicks yet another fresh start and placed him in a rebuilding environment where he could take on a featured role in the pitching staff. He is expected to play a significant part in the White Sox rotation or bullpen depending on the team’s needs.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hicks’s defining strength has always been his elite velocity, with a four-seam fastball and sinker that have routinely sat at or above 100 mph. During his transition to a starting role with the San Francisco Giants, his velocity dipped as he focused on preserving his arm across multiple innings. By 2025, his velocity had climbed again during spring training and into the regular season, suggesting a return to his peak form.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hicks’s most memorable moments is his 105.1 mph pitch on May 20, 2018, tying the all-time MLB record for fastest pitch. Another signature moment came on March 14, 2021, when he was involved in a 22-pitch at-bat against the New York Mets’ Luis Guillorme, the longest at-bat in Major League history by pitch count. His 2018 and 2019 seasons also saw him record the highest average fastball velocity in MLB during each of those years.
Jordan Hicks Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career, Jordan McKinley Hicks has contributed to team success both as a late-inning reliever and as a starting pitcher. His win totals have varied depending on his role, with his highest single-season win total coming during his early seasons in the Cardinals bullpen. The verified MLB statistics through June 21, 2026, show a career line that includes both relief and starting contributions.
MLB Highlights
Hicks picked up his first major league win on April 21, 2018, against the Cincinnati Reds, pitching the final 2 1/3 scoreless innings to seal a 4-3 victory. His 2018 rookie campaign featured six saves, while his 2019 season added 14 more saves before his injury-shortened year. Across his time with Toronto in 2023, he added four more saves to his ledger.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time in the minor leagues, Hicks compiled a strong record, including a 6-2 mark with a 2.97 ERA in 2016 and an 8-3 mark with a 2.74 ERA in 2017. These performances in the Appalachian League, New York-Penn League, Midwest League, and Florida State League laid the foundation for his eventual major league success.
Jordan Hicks Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Jordan McKinley Hicks grew up in a baseball-focused household in the Houston area. While specific details about his parents are not widely documented, his upbringing in Texas provided him with strong access to competitive youth baseball and a clear path toward a professional career. He has credited his Texas roots and his family environment for shaping his work ethic on the mound.
Personal Life
Hicks was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was a junior in high school, a condition he has managed throughout his professional career. The diagnosis did not slow his development, and he has spoken about maintaining his health as a key part of his routine as an elite athlete. Hicks grew up as a fan of the Houston Astros, a connection that reflects his deep Texas baseball roots.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a turbulent one for Jordan McKinley Hicks. He began the year with the San Francisco Giants in a starting role but struggled to a 1-5 record and 6.47 ERA across 13 appearances and nine starts before the team decided to move on. The trade to the Boston Red Sox in June gave him a new opportunity, but the statistical results remained difficult, as he finished the year with the lowest pitching wins above replacement in MLB at minus-1.8.
Despite the rough numbers, there were signs of encouragement. Hicks’s velocity ticked back up during spring training and into the regular season, an indicator that his arm strength remained elite. His experience in both starting and relief roles also made him a versatile option for teams looking to stabilize their pitching staff.
Heading into 2025, Hicks remained a high-upside arm with one of the most electric fastballs in the game. His combination of velocity, postseason experience, and ability to pitch in multiple roles positioned him as a player capable of bouncing back. Whether working in the bullpen or in a starting role, his elite arm speed made him an intriguing piece for any rotation.
