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Physical Description: Strong,
sturdy frame. Thick lower half. Lost a significant amount of
weight when he got to college.
Hit:
Starts slightly open with feet a bit wider than shoulder width,
hands at his back shoulder. Uses a toe tap timing device. Uphill
swing path. Fringy bat speed. Solid approach. Patient, knows the
strike zone and will take a walk. In-zone whiff rates are on the
higher side. Has trouble with breaking stuff. Major struggles
against eft-handed pitchers, lots of swing and miss. Below-average hit tool.
Power: Above-average raw power. Produces solid
exit velocities. Has shown the ability to drive the ball,
especially to the pull side, both in batting practice and games.
Swing has leverage and really utilizes his whole body in his
swing. Ability to tap into raw power is dependent on how his hit
tool develops. Potential for average game power.
Run: Well below-average speed. Not a part of his
game.
Field: In 2025, moved off catcher
after primarily catching in college and most of his previous pro
career. Now plays first base almost exclusively while seeing
significant time at designated hitter.
Arm: Well below-average arm strength. Slow
release and throws lack carry. Has had significant issues
throwing out runners on stolen base attempts. |
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Career Notes: Newcomer All-SEC Team and SEC
All-Tournament Team in 2021. Received a somewhat surprising over-slot
bonus when he signed. Missed nearly all of the final month of
the 2021 season due to a family issue. Participated in the Fall
Performance Program in 2021. Participated in 2022 Winter
Warm-Up. Got beat up a bit behind the plate in 2022, needing a
couple of IL stints, including one for a concussion, and missing
a week-or-so of games in a couple of other instances. Was set to
participate in the 2022 Fall Performance Program that was
canceled due to Hurricane Ian. Participated in the Arizona Fall
League in 2023. Participated in the Red Sox Rookie Development
Program in January 2024. Received invitation to major league
spring training in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Started at DH in 2024
Spring Breakout game. Received an aggressive promotion to
Worcester to start the 2024 season and struggled at the plate,
going back to Portland in mid-August. Has not found consistent
success in Triple-A.
Summation: Organizational high minors
contributor. Needs to show he can make more contact and
adjustments against lefties and breaking stuff before getting a
cup of coffee. Limited positional versatility.
Last
update: May 15, 2026
Links
Red Sox Select Nathan Hickey with Fifth-Round Pick (7.12.21) |
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