Jordan Hicks has been an underrated weapon in postseason

Chicago White Sox pitcher Jordan Hicks. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

White Sox's Jordan Hicks has been an underrated weapon in postseason

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Oct 3, 2026 5:10 PM ET

Chicago White Sox reliever Jordan Hicks deserves more recognition for his strong efforts out of the bullpen.

The 30-year-old right-hander has undeniably served as an underrated postseason weapon, with Hagen Smith and Grant Taylor getting a lot of the limelight. This follows their quality campaigns this season that have carried over into the postseason.

Hicks, however, has been a reliable late-inning arm across his first three appearances in the postseason, with no hits or runs surrendered across four innings pitched. He's also only given up one walk while striking out six with an outstanding 0.25 WHIP.

Across a total of 3 and 1/3 innings pitched against the Houston Astros, he retired all 10 batters he faced, only needing 38 pitches to do so.

But in Hicks' most recent outing, his consistency out of the pen continued in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. Hicks pitched 2/3 of an inning in the fourth, recording two outs by striking out Jo Adell and Angel Martínez before walking Nathaniel Lowe.

Jordan Hicks in his first 3 appearances of the postseason:

4.0 IP | 0 H | 0 R | 1 BB | 6 K’s | 0.25 WHIP

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Jordan Hicks' consistency has been attributed to his arm slot adjustment

Hicks has emerged as an impactful high-leverage force following his midseason mechanical adjustment (raising his arm slot) in June. Following his arm slot adjustment, he boasted a 1.17 ERA and a 38.7% strikeout rate across 18 appearances, and his clutch dominance out of the pen has come alive in October.

In Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Astros, Hicks picked up the win throwing 17 pitches across 1 and 1/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout. He followed the next day by throwing another gem in Game 2, with a perfect six up and six down across two innings with three strikeouts on 21 pitches.

The return of Hicks' elite velocity has made him a huge threat in the postseason, as he has averaged 100.1 mph with his four-seam fastball and sinker. In addition to reaching triple digits on 15 pitches during the wild-card round.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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