105.5! Hicks' throw fastest in Statcast era
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NEW YORK -- The Athletics tested Yankees left fielder Aaron Hicks' arm twice in the fourth inning of Oakland's 5-2 win on Wednesday, and their second challenge produced the fastest throw ever recorded by Statcast™.
With the A's leading, 3-1, Hicks showed off his gifted right arm with a laser to home plate that registered 105.5 mph, snagging Yonder Alonso's fly ball to medium-depth left field and throwing home on a hop to nail Danny Valencia.
"I tried to make a strong throw, accurate throw, trying to be as fast as I can from catch to throw," Hicks said. "When you know your ball is not tailing and you've got that nice four-seam going straight, you know you're going to get a solid hop. I did today."
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The previous high registered by Statcast™ was 103.1, by the Astros' Carlos Gomez last September. The previous high on a throw from Hicks -- who reached the upper 90s as a standout pitcher in high school -- was 103.07 on Sept. 30.
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The double play ended a three-run inning that also saw Hicks challenged by Chris Coghlan and third-base coach Ron Washington from much shallower depth in left field.
But unlike on the Valencia play, catcher Brian McCann could not hold the ball, with Coghlan scoring from second on a single by Josh Reddick. That throw from Hicks was registered at 98.7 mph.
"I was trying to one-hop it there, and it ended up two bounces," Hicks said. "One hop, I just think is a better throw there with a guy going to second. I was just trying to keep that guy [Reddick] from going to second. Just trying to get a nice little one hop."
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Hicks said that he hoped the outfield assist would provide his team with a spark, but the Yankees continued to go quietly against Oakland's Kendall Graveman. Hicks went 0-for-3 and is batting .050 (1-for-20) through his first 12 games with the Yanks.
"Of course, when you do something that makes you confident, you're kind of hoping it'll change it around," Hicks said. "But you know, it didn't happen today. I'm just going to move on to the next day and get ready for tomorrow."