Major League (MLB) representative fireballer Jordan Hicks (27, St. Louis Cardinals) threw a light speed ball at 168 km/h in an exhibition game.
In the 2023 MLB exhibition game against the New York Mets on the 26th (Korean time), Hicks threw 104.6 miles (168.3 km/h) of the first pitch to lead batter Pete Alonso at the end of the 4th inning, when his team, St. Louis, was leading 2-0, with no runners and two runners. threw It was the fastest pitch he recorded, including the regular season, postseason and exhibition game, after throwing 105 mph on two occasions in May 2018. 바카라
Hicks sprayed more than 10 balls and 102 miles (164.1 km per hour) that day. This is a record that only Aroldis Chapman, Ryan Helsley, Bruce Rondon, and Joan Duran achieved after the pitch tracking system was introduced.
Hicks’ sinker average speed at this spring camp was 102.4 miles (164.7 km/h). That’s three miles faster than in 2022. The average speed of the slider also increased from 84.7 miles (136.3 km per hour) to 88.4 miles (142.3 km). Hicks, who started eight games last season, is expected to focus on the rescue mission afterwards. This season, he is expected to take on the task of concentrating on his fastball.
Meanwhile, MLB.com announced on the 26th that it selected 10 teams with the strongest bullpens in the league. St. Louis, with Helsley, Giovanni Gallegos, Chris Stratton, and Hicks, was in ninth place. While mentioning the strength of the mound in the 8th and 9th innings guarded by Helsley and Gallegos, the media said, “If Hicks can make good use of fast balls (sinkers) and lower his walk rate, this group will go from a ‘good bullpen’ to a ‘great bullpen’. It can be upgraded to the ‘bullpen’.”
The number one bullpen power selected by MLB.com was the Houston Astros with Ryan Presley, Rafael Montero, Brian Abreu, Hector Neris, and Line Stanic.