Aaron Hicks hears boos from Yankees fans on road

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Aaron Hicks hears the boos even from his home fans on the road.

The outfielder, who has become one of the more unpopular players among the fan base in years, was booed by the sizable contingent of Yankees fans in attendance at Hammond Stadium on Monday afternoon for a 1-0 loss to the Twins.

The switch-hitting Hicks, whom rival scouts have said looks as if he’s swinging the bat well overall, is 6-for-24 (.250) with one homer, one double and a .667 OPS in nine Grapefruit League games.

Hicks, who started in centerfield Monday, was booed before each of his three at-bats (he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts).

Joey Gallo, who crumbled in the spotlight of New York and was dealt away last season, heard the loudest boos. Gallo, whom the Yankees traded to the Dodgers and who signed with the Twins in the offseason and started Monday at first base, went 1-for-3.   

Garcia looks the part

Even though Deivi Garcia is unlikely to make the club out of camp, opposing team scouts have taken note of a different-looking pitcher.

“Best he’s looked throwing the ball in two years,” one said of the one-time highly touted pitching prospect, who has struggled in recent seasons.

Garcia, 23, who has a 2.45 ERA in three outings after allowing one run and two hits in 3 1⁄3 innings in which he struck out two, says the pitch he’s been most happy with is his cutter.

“I’ve been using it a lot this spring to righties and lefties,” Garcia said through his interpreter.

Aaron Boone said he’s been impressed with more than that.

“I’m most excited about his fastball, just the quality of it,” he said. “But just stuff-wise, he’s been so much more crisp. He’s throwing fastballs by guys right now, and that’s good to see.’’

By Erik Boland

erik.boland@newsday.comeboland11

Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.