2 standouts and 1 disappointment from Cardinals series with Jays

May 23, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Brendan Donovan (33) dives and catches a ball against the Toronto Blue Jays during the tenth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Brendan Donovan (33) dives and catches a ball against the Toronto Blue Jays during the tenth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
May 24, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jordan Hicks (12) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jordan Hicks (12) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Disappointment: Jordan Hicks

It’s never seemed like the best idea to have Jordan Hicks as a starter. He’s seen much success as a reliever. But the Cardinals wanted to give the young, talented flamethrower a shot to stretch out and become the club’s fifth starter.

After Tuesday’s outing, the Cardinals should reconsider things.

Now 1-4 on the season, Hicks pitched three innings on Tuesday. giving up four hits, five walks and four earned runs. He gave up a home run to Danny Jansen that traveled 408-feet at 103.7 mph.

He did strike out three. Hicks did induce five swings and misses. Hicks exit velocity topped out at 101.8.

Hicks pitches so well at such a high velocity, that it’s frustrating to see him not maximize his performance.  It will be curious to see if the Cardinals move him back to the bullpen once they get some more clarity on Steven Matz and figure out when Jack Flaherty will be back in the rotation.

Hicks is an excellent arm. He just doesn’t seem to be finding the success the club wants as a starter. It’s time to return him to the bullpen.

Ranking the 10 worst contracts in the National League Central. dark. Next