Baseball notebook: Former Hawkeye Blake Hickman returns with a flourish from Tommy John surgery

CEDAR RAPIDS — Blake Hickman is so excited to be pitching again, the 10-hour bus trip his Kannapolis Intimidators made recently to play a series against the Lakewood Blue Claws didn't faze him.

That's North Carolina to New Jersey for those unfamiliar with the South Atlantic League.

'I've been working hard for about a year and a half now to get to this point,' Hickman said. 'Honestly, when I finally got called up and got around the guys, it felt like summer ball again. It doesn't really feel like a job. It's just a ton of fun being around a team again.'

The former Iowa Hawkeyes right-handed pitcher underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow a month after he signed with the Chicago White Sox in June 2015. His hometown team drafted him in the seventh round.

It took him two years to recover and finally make his professional debut, but what a debut it has been. Hickman, 23, has a 1.93 earned run average in three starts for Kannapolis, allowing just 14 hits in 18 2/3 innings.

He was scheduled to be the Intimidators' starter Saturday night against West Virginia.

'I feel like my first three starts I have thrown the ball pretty well, especially considering I missed close to two years,' Hickman said. 'I'm commanding the strike zone pretty well and getting guys out. That's all I can ask for is putting up zeroes.

'My changeup has come a long way. That was something I worked very hard on during my throwing program. It actually has become my second pitch and my strikeout pitch.'

Hickman said his velocity has consistently been 90 to 93 miles per hour, which is down a tick from pre-surgery, but he threw 95 in spring training. Speaking of spring training, he was disappointed not to get assigned anywhere at its conclusion this year, with the White Sox intent the weather was warm and he was 100 percent ready to go before sending him earlier this month to low-Class A.

Hickman faced live batters for the first time last August, though only in simulated games.

'I don't think I've ever been so nervous,' he said. 'Just because I had not faced a hitter since, what, May 30, 2015. I just didn't want to get in there hitting guys and stuff. Of course, they threw all righties at me. Then I hadn't faced anyone for awhile before that where my elbow felt good, so I was nervous. I wouldn't really say nervous, more anxious. The emotions were pretty high, even though it was just a simulated game.'

The extended time off allowed Hickman to return to Iowa and get his degree. Getting a job in the 'real world' isn't on his radar, yet, however.

His arm feels good, and he's ready to prove himself at the pro level.

'I trusted the trainers that they had a good plan for me,' he said. 'So far, it was worked out well.'

PUK PROMOTED TO DOUBLE-A

The Oakland Athletics promoted Cedar Rapids Washington grad A.J. Puk from high-Class A Stockton to Double-A Midland on Wednesday.

The left-handed pitcher was Oakland's top draft pick last year out of the University of Florida and struck out a whopping 98 batters in 61 innings for the Ports, holding them to a .196 average. He had a 4-5 record and 3.69 earned run average, pitching consistently at 95 miles per hour and touching 97.

'I'm trying to work on filling up the zone and pitching to more contact instead of pitching for strikeouts,' Puk told MiLB.com in late May. 'I've been able to rely on all of my pitches, depending on the situation. I try to do the same thing every start: go out there and attack the hitters and whatever happens, happens.'

MAUER TAKES HIS NEW TEAM TO THE PLAYOFFS

Former Cedar Rapids Kernels Manager Jake Mauer has kept his magic playoff touch.

Mauer skippered the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts to the Southern League's North Division first-half title Friday night with a win at Tennessee. Chattanooga was 40-28 going into its penultimate first-half game Saturday night.

The Lookouts have 17 players who played in Cedar Rapids. Mauer, of course, took the Kernels to the Midwest League playoffs all four years he was manager here.

MORE PLAYOFF TALK

While there is drama in the Western Division, the Eastern Division of the Midwest League already has sorted itself out playoff wise. West Michigan is the first-half champion, going into Saturday with a league-best 44-22 record. Dayton will finish in second place and gain the division's first-half wildcard playoff spot with a 41-27 record. Lansing and South Bend would be tied for first place in the Western Division — with records of 37-28 and 38-29, respectively — but are out of playoff contention in the East.

HOW THEY'RE DOING

Joel Booker (University of Iowa) — Outfielder had back-to-back three-hit games this week. Hitting .310 for low-A Kannapolis (White Sox), with three home runs, 27 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

Matt Dermody (University of Iowa) — In 21 games, including one start, for Triple-A Buffalo (Blue Jays), the lefty pitcher has fashioned a 5-0 record and 3.95 earned run average. Has 26 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings.

Blake Hickman (University of Iowa) — Three starts into his professional career, has no record and a 1.93 ERA for low-A Kannapolis (White Sox). Has allowed 14 hits and three walks in 18 2/3 innings, striking out eight.

Derrick Loveless (Solon) — Outfielder with nice game Friday for Double-A New Hampshire (Blue Jays), going 1-for-1, with two runs, an RBI and three walks. Has .268 season batting average in 29 games for Fisher Cats and .280 average in 49 games between New Hampshire and high-A Dunedin.

Tyler Peyton (University of Iowa) — Pitcher is 2-1 with a 3.76 ERA in seven games, one start, for low-A South Bend (Cubs). Has struck out 27 in 26 1/3 innings.

A.J. Puk (Cedar Rapids Washington) — Went 4-5 with a 3.69 ERA in 14 games, 11 starts for high-A Stockton (Athletics). Allowed just 44 hits in 69 innings and struck out 98. Promoted this week to Double-A Midland.

Scott Schebler (Cedar Rapids Prairie) — Cincinnati Reds outfielder hitting .252 in 62 games, with nine doubles, 18 home runs and 35 RBIs.

Jake Yacinich (University of Iowa) — Shortstop hitting .250 in 45 games for high-A Rancho Cucamonga (Quakes), with three homers and 11 RBIs.

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com