On the same day the Minnesota Twins introduced newly signed Korean slugger Byung Ho Park they were busy making other moves as well.
On Wednesday the Twins announced they have claimed catching prospect John Hicks from the Seattle Mariners off outright waivers.
Hicks, 26, spent last season between Seattle and Triple-A Tacoma. Hicks played in 17 games for the Mariners, making his Major League debut in late August. He also played 83 games for Tacoma and hit .245 with 15 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 35 RBIs.
The Mariners drafted Hicks in the fourth round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Virginia. He had been ranked as Seattle’s No. 22 prospect.
John Hicks claimed by @Twins from @Mariners. #22 on Seattle's Top 30 Prospects list: https://t.co/NWid4wv2pF pic.twitter.com/0oY8EEYTzJ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) December 2, 2015
In five seasons in Seattle’s minor leagues, Hicks hit .280 with 82 doubles, 32 home runs and 216 RBIs in 403 games.
MLB Pipeline says Hicks does a lot of things pretty well and could be a solid, defensive-minded regular catcher some day.
“His overall defensive game is likely what will get him to the big leagues. He doesn’t have a gun, but he’s accurate, allowing him to shut down a running game. He shows the kind of natural leadership and maturity behind the plate you want to see in a catcher and that pitchers love. He’s athletic enough to play elsewhere, but the Mariners like him too much behind the plate to move him.”
