SF Giants starting pitcher sets lofty goal for upcoming season

SF Giants hurler Jordan Hicks set a career high by making 20 starts in 2024. He dealt with fatigue as the season progressed but the reliever-turned-starter is looking to make at least 30 starts in 2025.

SF Giants starting pitcher sets lofty goal for upcoming season

Hicks has a relatively low workload threshold due in large part to spending the bulk of his career in the bullpen. He rose through the minors as a starter but shifted to the bullpen with the St. Louis Cardinals as that proved to be the quickest way for him to reach the majors.

Plus, he has been limited by injuries in his career. This includes undergoing Tommy John surgery midway through the 2019 season.

Prior to the 2024 season, Hicks had never thrown more than 77.2 innings in any one season with the Cardinals. He set that mark as a rookie in 2018 but threw at least 60 innings per year in the two seasons before joining San Francisco.

When he signed with the Giants, the opportunity to start proved to be a huge factor in his decision. If it did not work out, then he could transition back to the bullpen and return to being a pretty effective reliever.

That said, Hicks is looking to stick as a starter for the remainder of his career. He joined Brian Murphy of KNBR (no audio available) during the Giants FanFest on Saturday and had one of the more interesting interviews. From the start, he conveyed a desire to take the hill every fifth day while making at least 30 days.

Hicks referenced Logan Webb's durability as part of his inspiration. Plus, he mentioned the benefit of sharing a clubhouse with Justin Verlander and learning how he prepares for the season.

Hicks got off to a nice start in 2024. He posted a 2.70 ERA through his first 12 starts. At that point, he was at 63.1 innings, or just over 80 percent of his previous career high in innings with four months left. The right-handed hurler did make 20 starts before shifting to the bullpen for the remainder of the year. That was part of the plan from the start.

For Hicks, the 2024 season proved to be a positive learning experience as he adjusted to the rotation. The stuff has never been an issue as he flashes a high 90's sinker with an above-average sweeper and surprisingly effective splitter. It is more about finding the right rhythm and pace to be able to start for an entire season. There is no denying that Hicks is motivated to prove that he has what it takes to be a starter.