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New York Yankees: Aaron Hicks ready to play when season starts

By David Hill |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Aaron Hicks #31 of the New York Yankees follows through on his home run in game five of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Astros 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Aaron Hicks #31 of the New York Yankees follows through on his home run in game five of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2019 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Astros 4-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic has helped the New York Yankees, as Aaron Hicks is now healthy and ready to play.

Had the regular season started on time, the New York Yankees would have found themselves in trouble. Two of their starting pitchers were sidelined, as were two thirds of their starting outfield. The season had yet to begin, and already the Yankees were being slammed by the injury bug yet again.

Now, one of those outfielders is ready to return. According to the New York Times, Aaron Hicks said that he is ready to play should the season begin in July as hoped. As it was, the plan had always been to see where Hicks was in his recovery come July, with the hope that he would be ready to begin playing in games to get back to the majors.

He had been expected to be sidelined for eight to ten months due to Tommy Joh surgery, with July being the early portion of that time frame. That procedure was just another part of a lost season for the Yankees’ center fielder, who played in just 59 games due to a flexor strain.

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When healthy, Hicks is an important part of the Yankees lineup. After struggling in 2016, he completely transformed as a hitter. Over the next two seasons, he produced a .255/.368/.470 batting line, hitting 42 homers and stealing 21 bases. However, injuries still reared their head, as he appeared in just 225 games in that span.

Hicks is more than just a solid offensive player. He has established himself as a respectable defensive player as well, saving nine runs in center during his time with the Yankees. Hicks also owns the record for the hardest throw ever recorded from the outfield, a 105.5 MPH laser that he uncorked on April 26, 2016, gunning down Danny Valencia at the plate.

Should Hicks prove to be healthy, he will add a different element to the lineup. He gives the team a degree of athleticism that they would not otherwise possess, a player who can make things happen in every facet of the game.

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Should the games begin once more, Aaron Hicks will be ready for the New York Yankees. He is yet another player that has benefited from the time off.

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