Yankees: Who has the best chance to make their first All-Star game in 2019?

Hicks was in the mix to make the team in what was a career year for him in 2018 so this could be the season he takes that next step and becomes an All-Star. You could make a strong argument that outside of Mike Trout there wasn’t a better all-around center fielder in the American League last season than Hicks. Trout is a pretty much a guarantee to get voted in to start this year’s game once again along with Judge and Mookie Betts, but I think Hicks has a real opportunity to make it as a reserve.

That’s because Hicks has been trending upwards for the past two seasons and has become the five-tool player the Yankees always thought he could be. Last season he posted a career high in home runs (27), RBI (79) and BB’s (90) and did so in only 137 games. His .248 AVG wasn’t really All-Star caliber but his OBP (.366) and SLG% (.467) were when you compare them to some of the outfielders who made it ahead of him (George Springer, Shin-Soo Choo). As Hicks continues to develop as a more complete hitter there’s no reason not to think he can’t improve his average this season which could go a long way.

Hicks is just entering the prime years of his career and after being labeled a first-round bust with the Twins he’s finally reaching his potential. And yet, I think there’s still another gear he can get to. He’s also set to enter a contract year so you know he’s going to be extra motivated to put up big numbers before he becomes a free agent.