Jordan McKinley Hicks Bio
Jordan McKinley Hicks is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago White Sox. Hicks was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2015 MLB draft and made his MLB debut with them in 2018. When Hicks was a relief pitcher, he was one of the hardest throwers in the major leagues, having been measured throwing pitches as fast as 105 miles per hour (169 km/h), tying the all-time MLB record.
Early Life and Background
Jordan McKinley Hicks was born on September 6, 1996, in Klein, Texas, USA. He grew up a Houston Astros fan and attended Klein Oak High School in Klein, Texas, before transferring to Cypress Creek High School in Houston, Texas, for his senior year. Hicks was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was a junior in high school, a condition he has managed throughout his professional career. He signed with Tulane University to play college baseball before being drafted by a professional team.
Path to Professional Baseball
Hicks demonstrated significant potential as a high school pitcher, which attracted attention from MLB scouts. His combination of velocity and talent led to him being selected in the third round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. Hicks chose to forgo his commitment to Tulane University and signed with the Cardinals for $600,000, beginning his professional baseball journey. He made his professional debut in 2016 with the Johnson City Cardinals of the rookie-level Appalachian League, where he went 6–2 with a 2.97 ERA in 12 starts between Johnson City and the State College Spikes.
Jordan McKinley Hicks Career
St. Louis Cardinals (2015–2023)
Hicks began building his professional resume in the Cardinals minor league system. In 2017, he started with the Peoria Chiefs of the Single-A Midwest League, where he was named to the Midwest League All-Star game. He was promoted to the Palm Beach Cardinals of the High-A Florida State League in July, finishing the season with a combined 8–3 record and a 2.74 ERA in 22 games. After the season, Hicks played for the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, where he was selected to the Fall Stars Game and regularly threw 100 mph and above.
Hicks made the Cardinals Opening Day roster in 2018 despite never having pitched above High-A. He made his major league debut against the New York Mets and produced the highest average fastball velocity of the day at 100.4 mph. On May 20, 2018, Hicks threw the fastest pitch in MLB history at 105.1 mph, tying the record with Aroldis Chapman. He finished his rookie campaign with a 3–4 record, six saves, a 3.59 ERA, and 70 strikeouts in 77 2/3 relief innings. His four-seam fastball and sinker had the second- and third-highest average speeds in MLB that season.
In 2019, Hicks began the season as St. Louis’ closer. His four-seam fastball averaged 100.9 mph, the fastest in major league baseball, while his average pitch velocity of 101.1 mph led all of MLB. However, on June 22, he was removed from a game with elbow irritation, later diagnosed as a torn ulnar collateral ligament. He underwent Tommy John surgery on June 25, 2019, missing the remainder of the season. For the year, he compiled a 2–2 record with 14 saves and a 3.14 ERA. Hicks skipped the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Toronto Blue Jays (2023)
On July 30, 2023, the Cardinals traded Hicks to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league pitchers Adam Kloffenstein and Sem Robberse. He became the first Blue Jays player to wear uniform number 12 since Edwin Encarnación in 2010. Hicks made 25 appearances down the stretch for Toronto, compiling a 2–3 record and 2.63 ERA with 22 strikeouts and four saves over 24 innings of work. He became a free agent after the season.
San Francisco Giants (2024–2025)
On January 18, 2024, Hicks signed a four-year contract worth $44 million with the San Francisco Giants. While he had primarily been a reliever throughout his career, the Giants converted him into a starting pitcher. In 29 appearances (20 starts) for San Francisco, Hicks compiled a 4–7 record and 4.10 ERA with 96 strikeouts and one save across 109 2/3 innings pitched. His velocity decreased as he worked on preserving his arm over multiple innings, rarely throwing above 96 mph. In 2025, Hicks made 13 appearances (nine starts) for the Giants, struggling to a 1–5 record and 6.47 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 48 1/3 innings before being traded.
Boston Red Sox (2025)
On June 15, 2025, the Giants traded Hicks to the Boston Red Sox, along with Kyle Harrison, James Tibbs III, and Jose Bello, in exchange for Rafael Devers. Hicks joined the Red Sox roster for the remainder of the 2025 season. According to Baseball Reference, Hicks had the fewest pitching wins above replacement in MLB in 2025, with -1.8.
Chicago White Sox (2026)
On February 1, 2026, the Red Sox traded Hicks and David Sandlin to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Gage Ziehl. He joined the White Sox roster for the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hicks is renowned for his exceptional fastball velocity, having thrown the fastest pitch in MLB history at 105.1 mph. Early in his career, his pitch velocity was inconsistent with various mechanical issues, but he refined his approach during the Arizona Fall League after the 2017 season, regularly hitting 100 mph. While transitioning to a starting role with the Giants, his velocity decreased as he worked on arm preservation over multiple innings. In 2025, his pitch velocity increased during spring training and continued into the regular season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hicks’ most signature achievement remains throwing the fastest pitch in MLB history at 105.1 mph on May 20, 2018, tying Aroldis Chapman’s record. In 2019, his average fastball velocity of 100.9 mph led all major league pitchers. On March 14, 2021, Hicks was involved in a 22-pitch at-bat during spring training against the New York Mets, where Mets shortstop Luis Guillorme fouled off 16 pitches before drawing a walk, marking the longest at-bat in MLB history by number of pitches.
Jordan McKinley Hicks Career Statistics
Through June 28, 2026, Hicks has compiled a career win-loss record of 17–36 with a 4.44 earned run average and 427 strikeouts across his time in MLB. He has recorded 36 career saves, primarily during his tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals.
MLB Career Highlights
Hicks made his major league debut in 2018 with the St. Louis Cardinals and quickly established himself as one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in baseball history. His rookie season featured six saves and 70 strikeouts in relief, setting the stage for his record-setting 2019 campaign where he led MLB with a 100.9 mph average four-seam fastball velocity. His transition to a starting pitcher with the Giants in 2024 represented a new chapter, though he continued to battle consistency issues while developing as a rotation arm.
Notable Achievements
Hicks holds the MLB record for the fastest pitch thrown at 105.1 mph, achieved on May 20, 2018, against the New York Mets. He was named to the Midwest League All-Star game in 2017 and the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game the same year. His 2019 season saw him lead all MLB pitchers in both average four-seam fastball velocity (100.9 mph) and overall average pitch velocity (101.1 mph).
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Win-Loss Record | 17–36 |
| Earned Run Average | 4.44 |
| Strikeouts | 427 |
| Saves | 36 |
Jordan McKinley Hicks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited information is publicly available regarding Hicks’ family background and racing lineage, as this information has not been widely reported in verified sources.
Personal Life
Hicks was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was a junior in high school. He has managed this condition throughout his professional baseball career, demonstrating resilience and determination in dealing with the health challenge while pursuing his athletic goals. He grew up a Houston Astros fan in Texas and has continued to build his legacy in Major League Baseball despite the obstacles he has faced, including Tommy John surgery and the challenges of transitioning from relief to starting pitching.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a challenging year for Hicks as he split time between the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox. With the Giants, he made 13 appearances including nine starts, struggling to a 1–5 record and 6.47 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 48 1/3 innings. His velocity showed improvement from spring training into the regular season compared to his 2024 transition year, though his results did not reflect the progress. On June 15, 2025, the Giants traded Hicks to the Boston Red Sox as part of a major trade package centered around Rafael Devers.
Upon joining the Red Sox, Hicks continued to work on his craft as a starting pitcher in a new organization. The season marked his continued evolution from a dominant relief pitcher known for elite velocity to a starting pitcher working to find consistency over longer outings. According to Baseball Reference, his -1.8 wins above replacement ranked as the lowest in MLB for 2025, indicating significant struggles in his performance. He looks to rebound in 2026 with the Chicago White Sox, where he will attempt to establish himself as a reliable rotation option.