The fastest throw in history came from a man who struggled for years
In short: In 2016, Aaron Hicks recorded the quickest throw ever measured by Statcast: 105.5 miles per hour. Yet, his journey to that moment was defined by a volatile swing between elite potential and public scrutiny, illustrating the thin line between being a superstar and a cautionary tale.
Aaron Hicks entered professional baseball as a blue-chip prospect, drafted in the first round of 2008. By his rookie year, he was the top prospect in the Minnesota Twins' organization. However, his transition to the Major Leagues was marked by inconsistency. In 2013, despite being named the starting center fielder, his performance led a local columnist to mock him as an "unpaid spokesman" for the idea that spring training hype is often misleading.
Hicks’ career became a study in physical extremes and resilience. He achieved historic milestones, such as hitting two inside-the-park home runs in one season—a feat not accomplished by a Yankee since Mickey Mantle in 1958. He also made history during the 2019 London Series as the first MLB player to hit a home run on European soil. Despite these peaks, he faced significant setbacks, including multiple surgeries for elbow and wrist injuries, and moments of intense public criticism for defensive lapses.
The narrative of Hicks' career is one of high-variance output. He moved between teams like the Yankees and Orioles, often seeking to revitalize a career impacted by injury. While his 2017 season saw him rank seventh in the majors for several key metrics, he also faced release from the Yankees with over $27 million still owed on his contract. His journey highlights the precarious nature of professional sports, where a single elite throw can be overshadowed by years of navigating physical and mental hurdles.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Aaron Hicks
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