Kansas City Royals: Prospect Q&A with outfielder Brewer Hicklen

The Kansas City Royals prospect, Brewer Hicklen, had a standout season with High-A Wilmington. I had a chance to catch up with him.

Pitching dominates the Kansas City Royals prospect board with a few position players sprinkled in. It’s one area that new owner John Sherman and General Manager Dayton Moore will need to focus on in the 2020 MLB Draft, free agency, potential trades, and international free agency. However, one prospect who really stood out from the rest this season was outfielder, Brewer Hicklen.

The Royals’ 2017 seventh-round pick slashed 0.263/0.363/0.427 with 13 doubles, 7 triples, 14 home runs and 51 RBI’s in 125 games. The UAB product was terrific at the plate and in the field, recording 11 assists this season. We had the opportunity to chat with him about his season.

Q: I know you were initially planning on being a two-sport athlete at UAB, but focused on baseball when the football program was shut down. Did you ever consider transferring to potentially pursue a football career or was it an easy decision to transition your focus to baseball?

A: I never thought about transferring out of UAB. I knew that UAB was where I was supposed to be and that is where God called me. I had a love for all the coaches/people at UAB, the city, and an awesome church I was apart of.

When I look back at not getting the chance to play any “real games” in college football it definitely is sad, that was something that I dreamed about all the way from my childhood to my senior year of high school. I spent my whole high school career trying to get recruited to play football and hardly spent any time developing my baseball skills.

I wouldn’t necessarily say that football was my favorite, but I definitely spent more time pursuing it. It is something I still think about when I watch football on Saturdays; what “if” I would have gotten the chance to play! But all in all, I am happy where I am and having the time of my life playing baseball every day.

Q: I want to congratulate you on a successful 2019 season. What did you find was the biggest adjustment between Single-A and High-A?

A: Thank you! I would say the biggest adjustment for me is just getting comfortable adjusting and adapting my approach with what the pitcher is showing me during the game. This year was the first year I had been taught an advanced approach to hitting. My hitting coach, Larry Sutton, has become a big mentor in my life and one of my biggest reasons for my success.

This year I have been in a constant tug of war with myself trying to learn from my past mistakes, while also using that knowledge to set myself up for future success. I think it is known from anyone that knows me I am extremely hard on myself and at times, I get a little unrealistic with myself. I am such a competitor I want to do everything right and Sutt just continues to remind me it is a process and that every failure is molding me into the player I will become in the near future.

Through all the inconsistencies this season, I have continued to remind myself to find the victories in the small things, learn one thing from each failure, and eventually, my “potential” as a player will become a reality. This is one of my mottos for life, also.

The opportunity is there for the taking at the big league level.

Q: In Game 3 of the Mills Cup semis, you dropped down a walk-off bunt. Was that planned or did you just decide to do that in the moment?

A: My manager put the sign on. It was something I actually thought about walking to the plate, but my bunting confidence was way down from the whole second half I talked myself out of it.

Then I get in the box, Thor gave me the bunt sign… I guess it was meant to be. I had practiced that play hundreds of times in college, so I knew I was prepared for it. Sure enough, I didn’t pop that one up to the pitcher, thankfully! I knew that moment was going to flip our whole post-season around. 

Q: There appears to be some opportunity on the big league roster for another outfielder in the next year or two. What would it mean to you to finally get the call to the big leagues and what has been your primary source of motivation?

A: You are absolutely right, there is a lot of opportunities for us. I am thankful to be in an organization that values the development of minor leaguers and gives them a chance. To me, that is what made the KC such an attractive place. My biggest motivation has always been my faith and family.

My sole purpose in playing baseball is to show my love for God, my love for people, and the joy I have in life through my interactions on the baseball field. I am so fortunate with the opportunity to play a sport that people follow and are so invested in. I love having the chance to open up, be transparent, and show them what it is like going through what I go through. It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows like everyone thinks it is.

Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do, but at the same time, there is a ton of failure and pressure involved. I think one of my biggest goals is to lead well, love well, and compete my butt off while having the most fun possible! If I get the chance in the next few years, I will have achieved a lifelong dream of getting the chance to play in the MLB.

However, it doesn’t stop there, I still have a lot of dreams left to achieve in my MLB career and hope I can continue to pursue those through my 20’s and 30’s. All in all, I know if I do not make it, that is what God has planned for me, but you better believe I’m going to do my very best to get there!

A special thank you to Brewer (@brewerhicklen) for taking the time to speak with me. We will see you shortly!