Previewing Seattle Mariners September Call-Ups: The Hitters
Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher John Hicks plays for the Surprise Saguaros during an Arizona Fall League game against the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Hicks is a 25-year-old on his second AAA stint. This year he’s hit .244/.282/.363 while serving as Tacoma’s primary catcher. The offense is poor – that’s a 68 wRC+, coming off an 84 wRC+ last year – but that’s not why Hicks is getting a call-up. This is all about depth, and the fact that Hicks is on the 40-man.
Hicks gets to be a September big leaguer because every team’s primary AAA catcher gets to be a September big leaguer. What team wouldn’t pounce if given the opportunity to carry a third catcher without depleting the overall roster/bench depth? No team, that’s who. Welcome to the bigs, John. Now don’t swing.
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