Aaron Hicks could have bounceback 2023 for New York Yankees

Aaron Hicks is not the best case scenario in left field for New York Yankees fans.

It is easy to see why that would be the case. Hicks has not exactly covered himself with glory during the past few years, struggling to stay healthy and not producing when he has been on the diamond. And yet, despite his struggles, Hicks is likely to be penciled in as the Yankees’ primary left fielder heading into spring training.

New York Yankees have reason to hope for Aaron Hicks bounceback

Hicks has appeared in just 275 games over the past four seasons, making it difficult to count on him to be in the lineup. When he has played, he has not done much, especially over the past two years. He has posted a .211/.322/.317 batting line in his 579 plate appearances over the past two seasons, hitting 12 homers and 12 doubles. That is not even close to what the Yankees would need in their lineup.

But improvements could be coming without Hicks needing to do much more than stay healthy. The shift is going away for the 2023 season, something that could help change the game for numerous left handed hitters going forward. Hicks, despite his middling power, was the 11th most shifted against player when he hit from the left side, facing a shift in 92.6% of his plate appearances.

Hicks has been a fairly pull heavy hitter. His 36.8% pull rate over the past three seasons is more than eight percent above the league average. He has also hit ground balls in 42.7% of his plate appearances over the same time frame. With the shift being eliminated, some of those ground balls could find a hole and help Hicks improve his numbers. He could easily be more productive just because of this rule change.

Of course, he still needs to stay healthy and be in the lineup. That will be the biggest caveat with any potential turnaround for Hicks. However, the upcoming rule changes, especially as it comes to the shift, could make Hicks a productive bat once again.

The New York Yankees will need Aaron Hicks to be a productive option in their lineup. The new rule changes could make that happen.