Yankees Aaron Hicks: The Man In The Shadows

The Yankees have competition this year at nearly all positions. But nowhere is the competition as keen as it is for the starting job in right field.

Tha Yankees are fortunate to have assembled a stable of talented players who are engaged in battles to increase and stabilize t their role with the team. That competition will continue throughout the 2017 season and also bleed into 2018 when another crop of talent is due to arrive.

Greg Bird and Chris Carter are sparring for playing time at first base, but the edge seems to do to Bird because his defensive abilities are reminiscent of Mark Teixeira and his wizardry with a glove. Until he went down with a foot injury, Tyler Austin was also in the mix at first base and the outfield. And Rob Refsnyder, the forgotten man, is fighting for his chance at 450 at-bats and to become the Ben Zobrist of the Yankees.

But the most exciting contest is taking place between Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks for the job in right field. As one of the designated Baby Bombers, Judge has been widely assumed to have the job locked up. Or, maybe it’s more accurate to say that it’s his job to lose.

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Meanwhile, Aaron Hicks, who was obtained by the Yankees via a trade in November 2015 with the Minnesota Twins for backup catcher John Ryan Murphy, considers himself in direct competition with Judge. Hicks has four years of major league experience, but he never reached 400 at-bats in any season, including last year with the Yankees. Overall, he’s a .223 career batter with an OBP of .299. Not much to write home about.

Nevertheless, he appears to be a favorite of Joe Girardi, and after all, the team did make a trade to acquire him. And most of the time, his presence on the team is hardly noticed. Until the other day when the press sought him out seeking his response to the competition, he’s facing to be more than just a fourth outfielder.

Responding to the support he’s been given, Hicks recently told NJ.com:

The Yankees Need A More Aggressive Aaron Hicks

"“It feels good,” Hick said. “They have confidence in me. That’s something you need, especially if you’re going to take the next step to do better for next year. That’s really what you need. ”He added,”I believe in my abilities. That’s where you start out. You’ve got to believe in yourself. That’s what I do. “"

Asked specifically about facing off with Judge, Hicks tersely replied:

"“Of course, I want to be the starter,” Hicks said in the clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field.“I mean, the position’s open. Whoever wants it is going to get it. It’s all about having a great spring training.”"

The Yankees Need A More Aggressive Aaron Hicks

That doesn’t sound like a guy who believes in himself, though. It sounds more like a belief that fate will provide the answer to his destiny. Or, maybe Hicks is hedging a bit in declaring himself to be in open competition with Judge because he doesn’t want to ruffle feathers and lose the support he talked about earlier.

The trouble, though, is that the Yankees could be looking for Hicks to be bold and aggressive in asserting himself as someone who wants a larger role with the team. And the Yankees might want to or feel they need to teach Judge a lesson because he’s a little too sure of himself right now.

But for that to happen, with Tyler Austin not in the mix, the Yankees need Hicks to step up and give Judge a run for his money.

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From the outside looking in, that’s what the situation appears to be as both players prepare themselves for live pitching that is coming in a few days. If Judge gives any indication that he (still) cannot put his bat on the ball, the Yankees will not hesitate to send the 24-year-old down to Triple-A to start the season. If that time arrives, Aaron Hicks can make the team’s decision much easier if he is ready to fill the void.