In a remarkable turnaround during the 2023 season, former New York Yankee Aaron Hicks opened up about the factors behind his resurgence while donning the Orioles’ uniform.
Facing a career low early in the season with a dismal .188/.263/.261 batting line, Hicks found himself released by the New York Yankees on May 26 at the age of 33. This move came amidst his third consecutive subpar offensive season, marked by a combined .639 OPS (82 OPS+) in 2021 and 2022. Retirement seemed imminent for the seasoned outfielder.
Just four days later, Hicks found a new home in the AL East with the Baltimore Orioles. This unexpected move proved to be a perfect match, as Hicks transformed his performance, slashing .275/.381/.425 with 7 home runs and 6 steals for the remainder of the season. His contribution was instrumental in the Orioles’ impressive 101-win campaign, leading them to clinch the AL East, while his former team languished in fourth place.
Addressing his remarkable resurgence, Hicks joined MLB Network on Tuesday, shedding light on a key adjustment that played a pivotal role in his turnaround.
"A lot of it was to back off the plate and square up a little bit more and try to focus on hitting the ball up the middle…it was working."
– Aaron Hicks on an adjustment he made that helped him thrive with the Orioles pic.twitter.com/jSZNeHFqY1
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 16, 2024
The free-agent outfielder attributed part of his success to the change of scenery provided by Baltimore. After nearly a decade in the Bronx, where he faced heavy criticism in recent years, a fresh start was exactly what he needed. Baltimore, amid their magical season, proved to be the ideal landing spot for Hicks.
“Baltimore was amazing,” Hicks expressed. “I had a great opportunity there with those guys. To be with that team that was winning, it was the right team for me at the right time.”
Hicks revealed that being part of a young and energetic team in Baltimore significantly contributed to his resurgence, subtly hinting that playing for New York wasn’t as enjoyable.
In addition to the mental shift, Hicks acknowledged a mechanical adjustment that played a crucial role in his success. He moved away from the plate and focused on hitting the ball to center field rather than consistently trying to pull everything—a habit possibly influenced by Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right.
While Hicks is grateful for figuring things out, there’s a lingering sentiment of what could have been if this resurgence had occurred while he was still with the Yankees.