Hicks can chuck a ball. His average velocity sits at 101 mph, which is actually the second lowest in his career (he sat 98 mph in 2022). He throws that pitch 70% of the time, for good reason, but also has a slider that averages 87 mph that he throws 27% of the time. His other pitch is a changeup that he throws just 2% of the time.

The sad news is that Hicks will become a free agent after the end of the season. This means that he’s a rental for the playoff push, but could obviously end up re-signing with the Blue Jays. 

So long Adam Kloffenstein and Sem Robberse:

In return, the Cardinals received Adam Kloffenstein, who has had a career resurgence in 2023. In Double-A, he has a 3.24 ERA and a 3.45 FIP in 89 innings pitched. His K% sits at 27.6%, the highest since he pitched two innings in rookie ball in 2018. Moreover, his BB% sits at 8.9%, down from 11.3% in 2022 in Double-A.

I’ve been really high on Sem Robberse since 2021, and for a reason. I truly believe that he has a back-end of the rotation floor, with a mid-rotation ceiling. The 21-year-old Dutchman has a 4.06 ERA and a 4.59 FIP in 88.2 innings pitched in Double-A this season. His 23.1 K% ranks as his best K% since Single-A in 2021, and he had an 8.9 BB%. It’s important to remember just how young he is for the Double-A level.

The Cardinals got a pretty good return here, but the Jays got a reliever who can really help them push for a World Series in 2023. Who do you think won?

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