LEE COUNTY, FLA—Nathan Hickey led the 2025 Worcester Red Sox in two distinctly different categories, both of them good.
His 75 RBIs were a team high, by a lot. His .998 fielding percentage was also a team best, a high that was matched by a low. Hickey made just one measly error in 526 chances at catcher and first base, mostly at first base.
“I don’t remember the error,” he said, “and honestly, I don’t even think it was supposed to be my error. The only one I remember that could be mine was a ground ball that I fielded and flipped to my pitcher, he dropped it, and they gave it to me.”
Hickey fits the classic description of Red Sox first basemen through the decades — lots of power, not a lot of speed, left-handed bat, unimpressive batting average.
It is not the pure numbers that are significant but the power. If timing is everything, Hickey’s timing is often perfect. In not quite two full seasons he has hit 30 homers, tied with Jeter Downs for fourth on the WooSox’ all-time list. Beyond that, Hickey has hit more homers with men on base than solo.
His two grand slams are tied for most in team history. His six three-run home runs are tied for second with Bobby Dalbec, who hit 58 overall. Ryan Fitzgerald’s eight three-run homers lead in that category.
Hickey is streaky, like so many power hitters.
“He produces,” manager Chad Tracy said. “He goes on spurts where, it’s like, man, this guy, when he gets hot, when he comes up with people on base, this can be a week where he wins two or three games for us by himself just because he’s gonna hit a three run homer.”
Hickey’s ability to hit well with people on is not a coincidence.
“I like hitting with people on base,” he said. “I think it makes my job easier. It kind of simplifies it. At least for me, my job is to (produce) runs….my goal is not to get on first base, other than to get a walk. If I get on first base, I’m not gonna steal second. Stealing bags is not my forte. Some days I make it a priority to hit the ball in the air becaue if I hit it on the ground and there is someone on first it’s probably a double play.”
Like Hickey, Tracy was a natural catcher who made the move to first base so he has some perspective on what that is like.
“It has been fun to watch,” the manager said, “He took to it naturally. He’s very surehanded over there; his first step and his ability to range to his right is really good, his throws are accurate.”
Hickey grew up and Florida and played baseball at the University of Florida but is not a snowbird.
“I really don’t get that cold which is kinda weird,” he said, “so it really doesn’t bother me too much. If it’s cold, don’t get jammed, but that’s not always easy to do.”
The Sox are looking for Hickey to be more consistent. So is he.
“There are spurts when he doesn’t produce much and the strikeouts come,” Tracy said. “The ball is not in play enough. There’s another level in there, I think, if he can find a way to make the valleys a little shallower.”
Hickey agrees.
“Last year was kind of up and down,” he said. “I’m trying to make that offensive transition better.”
Polar Park is good place for most left-handed hitters, but mostly in the warm weather. That might not happen on opening day, but one good thing is that Hickey has a little Polar Bear in him.
Bill Ballou can be reached at vetgoalie@aol.com
