John Hicks, Catcher, Philadelphia Phillies

Date of Birth: 8/31/1989
Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia
College: University of Virginia

John Hicks, catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, was first drafted in 2008 by the Los Angeles Angels but he opted instead to attend the University of Virginia. Three years later, he signed with the Seattle Mariners. He played in the Mariners' minor league system from 2011 through most of 2015. In 403 games, he batted .280 with 428 hits, 82 doubles, 216 RBIs, and 289 strikeouts to 99 walks. Defensively, as a catcher, he made 296 assists, 2,558 putouts, and 24 errors in 353 games. He caught players trying to steal 47% of the time and he had a .992 fielding percentage.

Hicks played in 17 games with the Mariners in 2015. The Minnesota Twins claimed him off waivers on December 2, 2015. The Detroit Tigers acquired him on April 23, 2016. He spent most of the 2016 season back in the minors, playing in just one game with the Tigers.

In 2017, Hicks batted .266 in 60 games with the Tigers. Defensively, he played 26 games at first base and 18 games as a catcher.

Hicks spent time on the DL in 2018 with a right groin strain. He played in 81 games and he had 75 hits, 12 doubles, 32 RBIs, 84 strikeouts to 22 walks, and a .260 batting average. Defensively, he played 59 games at first base and 21 games as a catcher.

Hicks finished the 2019 season with 67 hits, 35 RBIs, 109 strikeouts to 13 walks, and a .210 batting average in 95 games. Defensively, as a catcher in 60 games, he made 37 assists, 476 putouts, and no errors, and he caught players trying to steal 30.2% of the time.

Hicks became a free agent on October 25, 2019. He signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on February 3, 2020. He was released on September 19th. He didn't play in 2020.

Hicks signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on February 12, 2021. He spent most of the 2021 season in the minors, playing in just 10 games with the Rangers.

Hicks became a free agent on November 7, 2021. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on January 31, 2022.

Hicks became a free agent on November 10, 2022. He signed a minor league contract with the Phillies on November 16th.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - John Hicks
Baseball Reference - John Hicks