Brewer Hicklen

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #30 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Hicklen was a two-sport star who played wide receiver at Alabama-Birmingham until the school dropped its football program in 2017. With his focus solely on baseball, he had a breakout season that spring and was drafted in the seventh round by the Royals. Hicklen advanced to high Class A Wilmington in 2019 and showed an impressive combination of power and speed with 34 extra-base hits and 39 stolen bases, albeit with 140 strikeouts. He returned to the field in 2020 at instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A strong, physical talent with plus-plus speed, Hicklen is capable of playing all three outfield positions. He has a chance to be at least an average defender, but he struggles with routine plays at times. His above-average arm will be enough for right field. Hicklen is working to get the parts of his swing to work together as he continues to improve the timing and rhythm of his toe tap. His struggles with good velocity and pitches with horizontal movement will limit his offensive upside, but he should be able to get to at least average power. Hicklen plays with an aggressive football mentality and demonstrates elite makeup and leadership skills.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hicklen has the physical skills to be a reserve outfielder, with the added bonus of exceptional leadership that will help a clubhouse.
• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #19 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Hicklen will always carry the reputation of possessing a football mentality, having been a member of the Alabama-Birmingham team during the period when the program was being reinstated. That mindset has helped him in the pros and he's been labeled as a leader and credited with strong makeup. After a brief stint with high Class A Wilmington in 2018 when the Blue Rocks won the Carolina League championship, Hicklen returned there in 2019 to help the team earn its second straight crown.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Standing out for his athleticism and plus speed, Hicklen is still a bit behind his counterparts in learning the nuances of baseball and catching up to the speed of the game. He has plus raw power but projects to be more hit over power because his swing lacks the necessary loft. He controls the zone and draws a fair share of walks and does damage when getting on base. An average defender, Hicklen can handle all three outfield positions, which fits with his likely projection as a solid fourth outfielder.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hicklen will get to Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2020.
• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #20 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Hicklen was a two-sport athlete at Alabama-Birmingham, doubling as a wide receiver until the school dropped its football program in 2015. Drafted in the seventh round in 2017, Hicklen signed for $337,500. He was slowed by injuries in his first pro season, but had a solid 2018 that was split between low Class A Lexington and high Class A Wilmington. He was especially effective in Lexington, leading the team in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage.
  
  Scouting Report: Pure strength and raw power are Hicklen's most noticeable attributes. He's not real loose athletically, with the athleticism coming from his strength. While he has above-average to plus raw power, Hicklen projects to hit for average more than power. He was good plate coverage and lays off secondary pitches out of the strike zone, but he has a tendency to chase fastballs up in the zone. As expected from a former wide receiver, Hicklen is a plus runner underway but closer to above-average out of the box. He's an average fielder with fringe-average range. While his arm is no more than fringe-average, he gets rid of balls quickly to make up for any shortage in arm strength. Hicklen is a vocal leader on the field, constantly inspiring his teammates.
  
  The Future: A potential power-speed threat, Hicklen is viewed by some scouts as a fourth outfielder. A future role as a starting outfielder isn't out of the question, however, especially as he continues to develop his baseball skills to go along with his raw athleticism. He'll head back to Wilmington in 2019.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #281 prospect in 2017 draft
  Hicklen came to UAB as a two-sport athlete before the football program was cut at UAB. Now that football has been restored for fall 2017, he's a two-sport guy again as a wide receiver and center fielder. He's strong and fast at a listed 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, with 70-grade speed that helps make him a legitimate future plus defender. He has an average arm and above-average raw power. He got more aggressive at the plate this year, resulting in more strikeouts but also a jump from three to eight home runs. Hicklen's feel for hitting is raw as he needs more reps due to the development time he has missed due to football. He's a charismatic leader and excellent teammate who plays with intensity. Hicklen would have to be bought out of football, which may be the best argument UAB has to keep him.

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hicklen was a two-sport star who played wide receiver at Alabama-Birmingham until the school dropped its football program in 2017. With his focus solely on baseball, he had a breakout season that spring and was drafted in the seventh round by the Royals. Hicklen advanced to high Class A Wilmington in 2019 and showed an impressive combination of power and speed with 34 extra-base hits and 39 stolen bases, albeit with 140 strikeouts. He returned to the field in 2020 at instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A strong, physical talent with plus-plus speed, Hicklen is capable of playing all three outfield positions. He has a chance to be at least an average defender, but he struggles with routine plays at times. His above-average arm will be enough for right field. Hicklen is working to get the parts of his swing to work together as he continues to improve the timing and rhythm of his toe tap. His struggles with good velocity and pitches with horizontal movement will limit his offensive upside, but he should be able to get to at least average power. Hicklen plays with an aggressive football mentality and demonstrates elite makeup and leadership skills.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hicklen has the physical skills to be a reserve outfielder, with the added bonus of exceptional leadership that will help a clubhouse.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hicklen was a two-sport star who played wide receiver at Alabama-Birmingham until the school dropped its football program in 2017. With his focus solely on baseball, he had a breakout season that spring and was drafted in the seventh round by the Royals. Hicklen advanced to high Class A Wilmington in 2019 and showed an impressive combination of power and speed with 34 extra-base hits and 39 stolen bases, albeit with 140 strikeouts. He returned to the field in 2020 at instructional league.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: A strong, physical talent with plus-plus speed, Hicklen is capable of playing all three outfield positions. He has a chance to be at least an average defender, but he struggles with routine plays at times. His above-average arm will be enough for right field. Hicklen is working to get the parts of his swing to work together as he continues to improve the timing and rhythm of his toe tap. His struggles with good velocity and pitches with horizontal movement will limit his offensive upside, but he should be able to get to at least average power. Hicklen plays with an aggressive football mentality and demonstrates elite makeup and leadership skills.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hicklen has the physical skills to be a reserve outfielder, with the added bonus of exceptional leadership that will help a clubhouse.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hicklen will always carry the reputation of possessing a football mentality, having been a member of the Alabama-Birmingham team during the period when the program was being reinstated. That mindset has helped him in the pros and he’s been labeled as a leader and credited with strong makeup. After a brief stint with high Class A Wilmington in 2018 when the Blue Rocks won the Carolina League championship, Hicklen returned there in 2019 to help the team earn its second straight crown.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Standing out for his athleticism and plus speed, Hicklen is still a bit behind his counterparts in learning the nuances of baseball and catching up to the speed of the game. He has plus raw power but projects to be more hit over power because his swing lacks the necessary loft. He controls the zone and draws a fair share of walks and does damage when getting on base. An average defender, Hicklen can handle all three outfield positions, which fits with his likely projection as a solid fourth outfielder.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hicklen will get to Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2020.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Hicklen will always carry the reputation of possessing a football mentality, having been a member of the Alabama-Birmingham team during the period when the program was being reinstated. That mindset has helped him in the pros and he's been labeled as a leader and credited with strong makeup. After a brief stint with high Class A Wilmington in 2018 when the Blue Rocks won the Carolina League championship, Hicklen returned there in 2019 to help the team earn its second straight crown.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Standing out for his athleticism and plus speed, Hicklen is still a bit behind his counterparts in learning the nuances of baseball and catching up to the speed of the game. He has plus raw power but projects to be more hit over power because his swing lacks the necessary loft. He controls the zone and draws a fair share of walks and does damage when getting on base. An average defender, Hicklen can handle all three outfield positions, which fits with his likely projection as a solid fourth outfielder.
  
  THE FUTURE: Hicklen will get to Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2020.