Jonah Hicks is the definition of a two-sport star.
The baseball and football standout for the Pike Central Hawks is looking to build off an incredible freshman year heading into baseball season. Jonah has been playing baseball at an elite level for the Hawks since his eighth-grade year. Now a sophomore, Hicks is known as one of the best two-way players in the 15th region.
The Pitcher/Shortstop can really do it all on the diamond; his numbers with the Hawks in his first two seasons are impressive to say the least. As an 8th grader he hit .357 with 18 RBI and 16 stolen bases while also pitching 43.2 innings, striking out 56 batters. The jump he made to his freshman year was even better than expected. Jonah was a problem at the plate and on the mound; he hit .430 with 40 hits, 20 RBI, 1 HR, 23 stolen bases, and drew 17 walks. He was also 5-2 as their starting pitcher. In 58 innings pitched, he allowed 45 hits and 16 earned runs with a 1.93 ERA. He also had 75 strikeouts and only walked 18 batters, those are video game numbers!
BUT the most insane stat of them all is out of the 191 at-bats between two seasons, Jonah has only struck out 14 times!!
I had the chance to talk to 15th Region Coach of the Year, Will Ward on Jonah’s preparation for this upcoming season, “Jonah has lived in the weight room this off season and really changed his body. He’s always been a great athlete, but this off season he has gained size and strength to go along with it. He had an explosive freshman season, having to step up in big moments time after time. You hate putting a freshman in this kind of position, but we’ve been putting him in those spots since he was in the 8th grade, and he’s shown the ability to put emotions aside and perform. I look for him to really solidify himself as a top player in this region. We as his coaches have always seen that potential, but I look for him to put the entire region on notice this year.”
Coach Ward also commented on Jonah’s future as a baseball player, “Jonah has not made any decisions about college as he is still just a sophomore. I think people forget that since he has been a varsity player for so long already. He will play at the college level, but we do not know where at this time. Jonah did very well competing in the Top Prospect Games in Atlanta, GA this past summer where he gained the attention of some colleges. With his size, speed, ability to be a two-way player, and baseball IQ, he does well in showcase settings. He does all the little things right as he’s detail oriented. Jonah is a kid you want around your program to help set the bar day in and day out. I look forward to seeing how the next 3 seasons play out for him, as he will gain the attention of more schools as we go.”
Jonah has more than enough ability to play baseball at the next level if he desires, and he still has 3 full seasons of high school baseball to play, meaning he has a lot of time to grow and improve as a player which should be a terrifying thought to all teams around the region.
You can catch Jonah Hicks and the (1-0) Pike Central Hawks this Friday, March 20 at Pike Central High School @ 6pm where they will be facing the Floyd Central Jaguars.
