Astros Prospect Profile: James Hicks

Houston Astros Prospect Profile: James Hicks

James Hicks

HT/WT: 6’2″/190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | School: University of South Carolina | DOB: 05/09/01

Overview:

Hicks was a 13th round pick by the Astros in 2023 and has flown through the system with his ability to miss bats. The right-hander started the season in Single-A posting 0.50 ERA in 18 innings. After a stop in High-A, he was promoted to Double-A where finished with 52 K in 48.1 innings. Overall, he had a 3.82 ERA with 115 K in 106 innings in his first full-season.

Hicks uses a 93-96 MPH fastball to go along with a chanegup, slider and curveball. Hicks had some injuries in 2025 but finished the year on a high note striking out 23 to just 4 walks over his final 14.2 innings. He then went on to dominate in the Arizona Fall League posting a 0.00 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 14 innings.

Baseball America had the following to say about Hicks: “Hicks is an average-sized righthander with a deep pitch mix, above-average control and a deceptive low three-quarters slot. Hicks is a short strider and generates little extension. He does repeat his operation well and finds success due to his ability to command the ball. Hicks mixes two fastball shapes in a low-90s four-seam and a low-90s sinker. Hicks throws three breaking ball shapes in an upper-70s sweeper, a mid-80s cut-slider and an upper-70s two-plane curveball.”

Articles:

‘Don’t Hold Back’: James Hicks Take Confidence to Mound For Success

Zero Runs, Big Statement: Astros’ James Hicks Shines in the Arizona Fall League