Yankees Aaron Hicks has arrived with speed, power and confidence
Yankees Chad Green and Luis Severino have shown the 2018 watchword for the pitchers is consistency. Now Aaron Hicks has confirmed that confidence is the focus for the position players.
New York Yankees players and coaches know full well that they do not have to do interviews just yet. Some do, however, for a variety of reasons. It was clear that the reason Aaron Hicks did so on Friday is his relaxed and genial attitude.
And his profoundly ingrained confidence.
Lightly laughing throughout the brief interlude, Hicks repeatedly flashed a bright smile that came quickly to his lips. That only happens with repeated use.
Based on the conversation, his ebullience is easy to understand.
Aaron, for instance, revealed he switched trainers this off-season. Working now with a man he considers, “the best of the best”, Hicks developed his core to an all-time peak.
The goal was to improve both his speed and power, which any team would appreciate. In this lineup in particular, with big boppers up and down the order, I guess that it is the speed aspect the Yankees will covet more.
Some Truths Are
Hicks seemed confident that the results would be self-evident. But then again he is confident about everything.
And now that the Yankees have gone from the hunters to the hunted, that might be the most important quality he and his compadres can bring to the field every day.
Remember it was just the other day that 1B Greg Bird said:
“We’re a good team and people know that. They’re going to come after us and we are going to go after them, and that’s how it’s going to be.”
And RHP Adam Warren offered almost the same evaluation: “We know that people are coming after us.”
Seemingly all the Yankees embrace this idea as Hicks echoed that mindset while wearing a look of determination.
“It’s gonna be a dangerous team now.” And he added this later: “When we walk into the stadium, we want to prove that we’re the best.”
If other teams think the new Bronx Bombers have bulls-eyes on their backs, they should know the Yankees are coloring the center-circle themselves.
Extending Himself
Aaron’s confidence extends to every part of this team. He summed up the pitching staff thusly:
“These are some nasty pitchers and they’re deep. It’s gonna be a fun year.”
I am sure he means for the Yanks, not the opposing the batters.
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In fact, I could find only one thing that provided Hicks any trepidation for the upcoming season: His teammates. Of course, he is thrilled to have RF/DH Giancarlo Stanton on the team; shocked might be a more apropos word.
But what will it be like to look left and right from centerfield only to see he is flanked by the two most prominent power hitters in the game?
“For me it’s kinda scary when you have two monster people.”
A specious and amusing answer, but one I am sure he hopes to reflect the feelings of opposing pitchers.
Next: Hear from Yankees 1B Greg Bird as to Why He Feels Vital for the Team's Success
One thing seems obvious, though: Nothing can affect Aaron’s positivity. His body has never felt more powerful and responsive, and he knows he can be integral to a hoped-for championship run. If other teams are afraid of the Yankees, Aaron Hicks is one big reason why.
That is perhaps why he made this blanket statement:
“I’ve got my confidence up.”
Clearly. It seems so far as if all the Yankees’ position players do. And that should be scary to everyone else.