5 Yankees who are flying under the radar

Aaron Hicks could help the Yankees in 2020 if baseball returns this summer

CF Aaron Hicks

Halfway through the 2019 season, Aaron Hicks was an afterthought. He began the season on the injured list, showed up for a few weeks, just so happened to make the best catch of the season and shortly after he would land back on the IL and it looked like his season was over.

Out of nowhere, Hicks would return for the playoffs and find himself in the middle of the Yankees order. Hicks would eventually need Tommy John surgery and it yet again put him on the backburner heading into the 2020 campaign, with expectations he would be back in the summer.

Thanks to the delayed start to the season, Hicks could be back in action once the season starts or shortly thereafter. The team’s best outfielder and one of it’s more patient hitters would be back.

Hicks’ diving catch in Minnesota last season displayed his range and a plethora of highlight-reel throws show off his otherworldly arm strength. Defensively, he is one of the best centerfielders in the league.

At the plate, Hicks won’t wow anyone but he is an on-base machine. He reached base via walk 90 times in 2018 (his last full season) and posted a solid .248/.366/.467. His 5.0 WAR was also the second-highest on the team, trailing only Judge.

With Judge’s health still in question and Brett Gardner and Mike Tauchman likely splitting time at centerfield, Hicks’ return is a welcomed one. Having Hicks in the lineup also creates more opportunities for Stanton and Judge to DH which will hopefully keep them healthy in 2020.