How SF Giants’ Hicks could continue seeing velocity uptick with splitter

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.

A bit of Sunday frustration aside, right-hander Jordan Hicks likes where hes at this spring.

Especially when he can tap into triple-digit heat when he wants it.Hicks allowed three runs over 2 2/3 innings as the split-squad Giants beat the San Diego Padres at Scottsdale Stadium, 7-4, exiting in the third inning after failing to record a single out but re-entering in the fourth inning and finishing his outing strong.

The right-hander threw 62 pitches in total, sitting in the 95-97 mph range and touching 100 mph on two occasions.

Results aside, Hicks feels stronger than he did at this point last spring.Thats 60 pitches right there and I felt like I couldve kept going and its only my third start second real start with fans and everything, Hicks said.On the topic of velocity, Hicks splitter sat in the 88-89 mph range on Sunday against the Padres.

Last season, Hicks splitter clocked in at 84.3 mph.

Of the 373 splitters that Hicks threw last season, only eight were thrown at least 88 mph.I think its a little firmer, and that comes with everything else, Hicks said.

Added velo on the fastball is going to add my splitter.

...

Thats a healthy increase splitter velocity wise whenever Im increasing my fastball.Hicks had a fine enough start to his afternoon, tossing two efficient scoreless innings and working his way out of hitters counts.

The third inning, though, got a little squirrely.The frame began with back-to-back singles from Tyler Wade and Eguy Rosario, neither being hit all that hard.

With runners on first and third, Hicks fired a first-pitch sinker to Connor Joe that missed inside and clocked in at 100 mph a sudden velocity spike given Hicks was sitting in the 95-96 mph range.

Hicks triple-digit heater forced pitching coach J.P.

Martinez to visit Hicks on the mound to calm him down.I shouldnt have let that frustrate me as much and keep moving on to the next pitch, Hicks said.Hicks couldnt dig himself out of the trouble.

Joe doubled in a run, then Hicks gifted the Padres a run on a 100 mph wild pitch.

Gurriel drove in Joe with a double of his own, Elias Dias drew a walk and that was the end of Hicks inning.

Right-hander Ryan Watson, a minor-league reliever, entered for Hicks and recorded three straight outs, but the damage was done.Five batters.

Three runs.

No outs.Related ArticlesSan Francisco Giants | SF Giants option Ragsdale, Seymour in latest round of cutsSan Francisco Giants | Marin Voice: Baseball can be valuable tool in development of childrenSan Francisco Giants | Could a second lefty join SF Giants Miller in bullpen?San Francisco Giants | Im not a fan: SF Giants share mixed feelings on automatic ball-strike systemSan Francisco Giants | How SF Giants could finally join in on stolen base partyHicks re-entered to begin the fourth inning and retired the first two batters he faced before being removed from the game for good.

The right-hander finished his day with his velocity in a more manageable place, getting back down to the 95-96 mph range.My wrist was a little stiff.

Overall, I think Ill find the zone more in the next outing, Hicks said.

But that up-and-in miss was pretty consistent today.Roupp roughed up vs.

CubsRight-hander Landen Roupp has firmly entrenched himself in the competition for the fifth spot in the Giants rotation, entering Sunday having thrown 8 1/3 shutout innings with 11 strikeouts over his first three Cactus League starts.

His outing in Mesa against the Chicago Cubs represented a setback.Roupp had his worst outing of the spring as the Giants beat the Cubs 8-6, at Sloan Park, allowing five earned runs over 3 2/3 innings on seven hits (one home run).

Tough start aside, Roupp still owns a 3.75 ERA this spring with 14 strikeouts to one walk over 12 innings.Giants stage comeback in MesaOver in Mesa, the Giants put up a five-spot in the top of the ninth inning to overcome a three-run deficit and beat the Cubs.All of the offense derived from San Franciscos minor leaguers.

Shortstop Aeverson Arteaga, who played 21 games for High-A Eugene last season, sliced the deficit to 6-4 with a solo home run, then catcher Adrian Sugastey singled home a run to cut the Cubs lead to 6-5.Down to their last out, infielder Sabin Ceballos, acquired from the Braves when the Giants traded Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson to the Braves, hit a go-ahead three-run homer.Worth notingHeliot Ramos was slotted into leadoff against the Padres, a spot in the batting order that he hit five times last season.

Melvin said that Ramos could potentially bat leadoff against left-handed pitchers.

Ramos reached base twice with a walk and a hit.Outfielder Wade Meckler left the Giants game against the Cubs in the first inning after diving for Ian Happs line drive and faceplanting on the outfield warning track.

Meckler was able to walk off under his own power and was replaced by Hunter Bishop.LaMonte Wade Jr.

hit his second home run of Cactus League play during the Giants road game against the Cubs..

This article has been shared from the original article on marinij, here is the link to the original article.