Graham Hicks

Graham Hicks (born February 9 1990 in Lakeland, Florida) is a left-handed starting pitcher in the Washington Nationals baseball organization. The Nationals selected him with the first pick (121st overall) of the fourth round in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. Hicks signed for $475,000 on August 11, 2008 and was assigned to its Gulf Coast League team.

High School
Hicks played three seasons (2006-2008) for George W. Jenkins High School out of Lakeland, Florida. Hicks went 15-2 with 155 strikeouts in 119 innings for a 0.41 earned run average in his last two seasons at Jenkins. Hicks went 3-5 with a 1.93 ERA his sophomore season. Hicks went 9-1 with a 0.54 ERA as a junior as he helped lead the Eagles to the district championship.
During his senior season in 2008, Hicks went 8-1 with a 0.24 ERA in 59 innings. He struck out 81 batters, while walking 13 and giving up only two earned runs. Hicks also swung the wood a bit, hitting .328 with one home run and 28 runs batted in as a senior.
College
Hicks committed to the University of Central Florida Knights baseball program in the spring of 2008 but after being drafted, he signed with the Nationals and forwent his college eligibility.
Professional career
Hicks first start of his professional career came on August 26, 2008 at the GCL Nationals baseball complex in Viera, Florida versus the GCL Mets. Hicks pitched two innings, allowing one hit while striking out two batters. The win helped the Nationals capture the East Division title.
Hicks will start off his 2009 season with the Single-A Hagerstown Suns in Maryland.
Honors
* 2007 - Class 5A Honorable Mention All-State
* 2007 - World Wood Bat Association 18U National Champion as a member of Chet Lemon's Juice.
* 2008 - Class 5A First-Team All-State
* 2008 - FACA Baseball All-Star game participant
Scouting Report
"Hicks is long and lanky at 6-foot-5 and 170 pounds, and hasn’t come close to getting physically mature or strong yet. He consistently touched the upper-80s this spring with his fastball, and has a very good curveball and developing changeup. Hicks throws from a three-quarters release point and stays over his curveball well, giving it hard downward bite. He’s shown the ability to throw strikes with all his pitches and has an idea how to work hitters. A year ago, Hicks was topping out at 83-84 mph so the improvement over the course of the 2008 season gives scouts reason to think he’ll keep adding to his present stuff. He’s went 8-1 this year and threw a two-hitter with 12 strikeouts in a district semi-final win in the Florida state playoffs. — David Rawnsley"

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