10 Things To Know About Joey Rickard
He's only played 5 games at Camden Yards but Joey Rickard is already a fan favorite. The rookie who was selected in the Rule 5 draft from Tampa Bay got a curtain call after his first home run and heard chants of "Joey, Joey, Joey" throughout the Orioles first home stand.
He's had at least one base hit in the Orioles first 6 games and is a plus defender making starts in left and centerfield. He's our favorite Orioles player we probably don't know much about. In an effort to close the gap for his fans we present a closer look at Joey.
- Joey is 24 years old, stands 6'1", weighs 185 and his last name is pronounced Rick-urd.
- He's the first Rule 5 player in Orioles history to start on Opening Day the year after he was drafted.
- Rickard grew up in Las Vegas and competed with the likes of sluggers Bryce Harper, Joey Gallo and Kris Bryant. His 2008 team won the American Legion National Championship.
- He was a three-time, All-State pick and four-time State Champion at Bishop Gorman High School in Vegas. He primarily played outfield but also pitched to a 1.92 ERA his senior year.
- He hit lead off and played center field for Arizona and the Wildcats won the 2012 College World Series.
- He's a rare position player who throws left and bats right. Not many of these on MLB rosters but Rickey Henderson got to Cooperstown doing it this way.
- Joey hit .321 to lead all Tampa Bay minor league hitters in 2015, this spring he hit .397 with the Orioles leading all Grapefruit League American League hitters.
- Rickard never has hit more than 8 homers in a minor league season but he hit 6 in just 50 games this past season in the Dominican Winter League.
- His brother John was drafted by the California Angels.
- In AA game with the Montgomery Biscuits in 2015 Rickard set a record walking 6 times without swinging the bat! He did take 7 called strikes.
His big league career is only a week old but so far it's been a blast for him and his fans.
