https://www.instagram.com/p/BjA-KuLAUDf/?hl=en&taken-by=hicks12
On the surface Jordan Hicks’ outing against the Phillies Sunday isn’t anything to write home about. 1.1 innings pitched and two walks allowed to preserve a four-run lead? Big whoop, right? One could argue Sergio Romo starting on two consecutive days is a MUCH more interesting relief story!
Oh wait. It turns out the 21-year-old flamethrower was up to no good and peppered the poor Phillies with a barrage of pitches over 100 mph. Just look at the madness Odubel Herrera had to deal with… that’s two pitches at 105 mph!
Screenshot via MLB Network
If you’re wondering why all those pitches are listed as sinkers, it’s because Jordan’s pitches are anything but straight. Imagine someone throwing you a wiffle ball at 105, that’s pretty much what happened out there:
1⃣0⃣4⃣ mph. 1⃣0⃣5⃣mph.@Jhicks007’s throwing GAS. pic.twitter.com/qPsTJqRh1Q
— MLB (@MLB) May 20, 2018
That being said, Odubel was able to reach base as a result of Jordan being too nasty:
Jordan Hicks goes 105, 104, 105 and 104 mph. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
And, Odubel gets the well-deserved participation trophy, getting 1b on the dropped 3rd. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/IMQrTyDuHy
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 20, 2018
Jordan now owns a pleasing 2.05 ERA in 22.1 innings pitched this season. But while he’s able to attract oohs and aahs with his velo, the question of why he isn’t able to miss bats prevails — dude has a bizarre K/BB ratio at 9:16.
Jordan joins Aroldis Chapman as the only other pitcher to hit 105:
🔥🔥🔥 alert in St. Louis!@Cardinals rookie @Jhicks007 threw the FIVE fastest pitches of 2018 today, reaching 105 mph twice.
Aroldis Chapman is the only other pitcher on record to throw 105. pic.twitter.com/P1CKU0XAQC
— #Statcast (@statcast) May 20, 2018
