Charles Brewer Hicklen Bio
Charles Brewer Hicklen is an American professional baseball outfielder currently playing in the Atlanta Braves organization. He has appeared in Major League Baseball with the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Detroit Tigers since making his MLB debut in 2022. Hicklen was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB Draft and has developed into a contact and speed threat throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Hicklen was born on February 9, 1996, in Huntsville, Alabama. He attended Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Alabama, where he excelled as a dual-sport athlete. Hicklen played baseball as an outfielder and football as a quarterback during his high school years, demonstrating athletic versatility from an early age.
Following high school graduation, Hicklen committed to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He planned to play both college baseball and college football for the UAB Blazers. He joined the football team as a wide receiver and pursued baseball simultaneously. However, UAB discontinued its football program in December 2014, which significantly impacted his collegiate athletic plans.
Path to Professional Baseball
When UAB ended its football program, Hicklen searched for other football opportunities while awaiting scholarship offers. During this time, his baseball offer from UAB was revoked. He agreed to walk on to the UAB baseball team and began focusing exclusively on baseball. He redshirted for the baseball team during the 2015 season.
In the 2016 season, Hicklen emerged as a standout performer for UAB, batting .289 with three home runs, 21 runs batted in (RBIs), and 22 stolen bases. When UAB resurrected its football program in 2016, he returned to play for the football team as well, showcasing his exceptional multi-sport abilities.
Charles Brewer Hicklen Career
Minor League Development (2017–2021)
The Kansas City Royals selected Hicklen in the seventh round of the 2017 MLB Draft, with the 210th overall selection. He became the highest-selected player from UAB in the MLB Draft, signaling his potential as a professional prospect. After not making an Opening Day roster for a minor league team in Kansas City’s farm system in 2018, he was assigned to the Lexington Legends of the Single-A South Atlantic League in April.
Hicklen performed exceptionally at Lexington, posting a .307 batting average and recording 29 stolen bases, both of which led the team. He earned a promotion to the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the High-A Carolina League in July. He returned to Wilmington for the 2019 season. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing him from playing in any games that year. In 2021, Hicklen played for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals of Double-A South.
Kansas City Royals Breakthrough (2022)
Hicklen began the 2022 season with the Omaha Storm Chasers of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. In 42 games with Omaha, he batted .266 with five home runs, 24 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. The Royals promoted Hicklen to the major leagues on May 26, 2022. He made his major league debut that night as the starting center fielder.
He returned to the minor leagues on May 31 when Kyle Isbel was activated. Hicklen returned to the major leagues on July 14 before being sent back to the minors on July 18. In the minor leagues during 2022, he batted .248/.348/.502 in 480 at-bats and ranked third in the minor leagues with 202 strikeouts, demonstrating his power potential despite the high whiff rate.
Philadelphia Phillies and Brewers Era (2023–2024)
Hicklen opened the 2023 season with Triple-A Omaha. In 61 games, he batted .233/.338/.452 with eight home runs, 29 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. On August 23, 2023, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations. He appeared in 11 games for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, batting .250/.413/.472 with two home runs, four RBIs, and six stolen bases before electing free agency following the season.
On November 28, 2023, Hicklen signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers assigned him to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds for the start of the 2024 season. On July 15, the Brewers added Hicklen to their 40-man roster and optioned him back to Nashville. The Brewers promoted Hicklen to the major leagues on September 1, 2024. In three games for Milwaukee, he batted 0-for-5 with one stolen base.
Detroit Tigers and Current Status (2025)
The Brewers optioned Hicklen to Triple-A Nashville to begin the 2025 season. He was designated for assignment by the Brewers on March 27, 2025. On March 28, 2025, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations. He was assigned to the Triple-A Toledo Mudhens to start the season but was called up after the first week to replace an injured player. He was sent down two days later without appearing in a game for the Tigers.
Hicklen was again called up on May 8 to start in the second game of a doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies, which marked his official Tigers debut. In the game, he recorded his first career hit, a single off of Tanner Gordon. The Tigers designated Hicklen for assignment on July 23. On July 26, 2025, he was traded back to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations.
In 32 appearances for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he batted .218/.293/.437 with eight home runs, 25 RBIs, and seven stolen bases. The Phillies designated him for assignment following the promotion of Rafael Lantigua on September 16. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Lehigh Valley on September 19. He elected free agency on November 6.
Atlanta Braves (2025–Present)
On November 22, 2025, Hicklen signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. This move represented a new chapter in his career as he sought an opportunity to reach the majors again with a new organization. On June 16, 2026, the Braves added Hicklen to their 40-man roster and subsequently optioned him to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hicklen has developed a reputation as a speed-and-defense outfield prospect throughout his career. He has shown the ability to steal bases at a high rate in the minor leagues, consistently posting 10 or more stolen bases per season. His power numbers have been respectable in the upper levels of the minors, with his ability to hit for average and on-base percentage being key components of his offensive profile.
Notable Events and Milestones
His first career MLB hit came on May 8, 2025, with the Detroit Tigers, a single against Tanner Gordon of the Colorado Rockies. This milestone represented the culmination of years of minor league development since being drafted in 2017. His multi-organization journey through the Royals, Phillies, Brewers, Tigers, and Braves has demonstrated his durability as a professional player seeking major league opportunities.
Charles Brewer Hicklen Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career, Hicklen has accumulated notable statistics across multiple minor league levels and brief MLB appearances. His minor league career has been highlighted by consistent stolen base production and developing power numbers.
Major League Baseball Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Hicklen has appeared in a limited number of MLB games across his stints with the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Detroit Tigers. His MLB career statistics include a .167 batting average with zero home runs and zero RBIs in his limited major league at-bats.
Minor League Highlights
At the Single-A level with Lexington Legends in 2018, Hicklen posted a .307 batting average with 29 stolen bases, leading the team in both categories. His 2022 Triple-A season with Omaha Storm Chasers saw him bat .266 in 42 games before his first MLB promotion. His 2024 season at Triple-A Nashville included an impressive .250/.413/.472 slash line in limited action.
UAB College Statistics
During his collegiate career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2016, Hicklen batted .289 with three home runs, 21 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases, demonstrating the tools that attracted professional scouts.
Charles Brewer Hicklen Personal Life
Community Involvement
During the offseasons, Hicklen remains connected to his Alabama roots by hosting an annual baseball camp for children at an Alabama high school. This community engagement reflects his commitment to giving back to the region where he grew up and developed his athletic abilities.
Background and Family
Hicklen continues to maintain strong ties to his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama. His background as a dual-sport athlete at Huntsville High School, excelling in both football and baseball, shaped his development as an athlete. His path through the UAB football program’s discontinuation taught him adaptability and resilience, qualities that have served him throughout his professional baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Hicklen as he navigated through multiple organizations within a single campaign. He began the year with the Milwaukee Brewers organization before being traded to the Detroit Tigers in late March. His brief stint with the Tigers included his first career MLB hit on May 8 against the Colorado Rockies, a significant personal milestone despite limited major league action.
Following his time with the Tigers, Hicklen was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in late July, returning to the organization that acquired him in 2023. He spent the remainder of the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he continued to produce power numbers with eight home runs in 32 appearances while also contributing seven stolen bases.
His 2025 performance at the Triple-A level demonstrated his ability to hit for power and stolen bases, maintaining the skill set that has characterized his minor league career. The season ended with him electing free agency in November before signing with the Atlanta Braves, providing him with a fresh opportunity in a new organization heading into 2026.