Jordan Hicks Bio
Jordan McKinley Hicks is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants. The Cardinals selected Hicks in the third round of the 2015 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut with them in 2018. When Hicks was a relief pitcher, he was one of the hardest throwers in the major leagues, having been measured as throwing as hard as 105 miles per hour (169 km/h).
Early Life and Background
Jordan Hicks was born on September 6, 1996, in Klein, Texas, USA. He attended Klein Oak High School before transferring to Cypress Creek High School in Houston, Texas, for his senior year. Hicks signed with Tulane University to play college baseball but opted to pursue a professional career instead.
Path to Baseball
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Jordan Hicks in the third round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft out of Cypress Creek High School. He signed with the Cardinals for $600,000, forgoing his commitment to Tulane University. Hicks made his professional debut in 2016 with the Johnson City Cardinals of the rookie-level Appalachian League, where he showcased his potential by achieving a 2.97 ERA in 12 starts.
Jordan Hicks Career
Early Career (2016-2018)
Hicks started the 2017 season with the Peoria Chiefs of the Single-A Midwest League, where he was named to the Midwest League All-Star game. He was later promoted to the Palm Beach Cardinals of the High-A Florida State League, finishing the season with a combined 8-3 record and a 2.74 ERA across 22 games. Hicks made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on Opening Day in 2018, impressively throwing the highest average fastball velocity of the day at 100.4 miles per hour (161.6 km/h).
Breakthrough (2018-2019)
In 2018, Hicks quickly became known for his exceptional fastball, throwing the fastest pitch in MLB history at 105.1 miles per hour (169.1 km/h). He finished his rookie season with a 3-4 record, six saves, and a 3.59 ERA. Hicks began the 2019 season as the Cardinals’ closer but faced challenges due to an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Hicks has established himself as one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in MLB history, with notable achievements including being named to the All-Star game and setting records for pitch velocity.
Jordan Hicks Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Jordan Hicks has received recognition for his performance, particularly during his rookie season and subsequent years with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Jordan Hicks Awards Won
While specific awards won have not been detailed, Hicks’s contributions on the mound have garnered attention and accolades from fans and analysts alike.
Jordan Hicks Family
Information regarding Jordan Hicks’s family is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Jordan Hicks was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during his junior year in high school. He has been open about his condition and its impact on his career. Hicks grew up as a fan of the Houston Astros.
