- Height/Weight: 6’0”, 175 lbs
- DOB: February 11, 2005
- Bats/Throws: R/R
Elijah Ickes has been a mainstay on the left side of Hawai’i’s infield for two seasons, showing steady development at the plate and shining in the field. As a freshman in 2024, he immediately earned All-Big West honorable mention, hitting .280 with 12 doubles, 32 RBIs, and a .407 OBP while starting all 53 games (mostly at third base after a few early starts at shortstop). In 2025, Ickes took over as the Rainbow Warriors’ primary shortstop and elevated his offensive game despite missing a month to injury. He slashed .303/.387/.434 in 31 games with 7 doubles, 3 triples, 1 homer and 21 RBIs, finishing with an .821 OPS.
He also drew 13 walks against 27 strikeouts and went 6-for-8 in steals, showcasing a disciplined approach and solid all-around offensive contributions. Ickes carried that momentum into the summer, where he blossomed into a star as the starting shortstop for the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod League. Facing elite college pitching with a wood bat, he posted a strong .282/.416/.443 line with 5 home runs, 6 doubles and 21 RBIs in 37 games. He earned a starting nod in the Cape League All-Star Game and demonstrated advanced plate discipline, working 29 walks against 36 strikeouts over the summer.
While Ickes’ offensive numbers have been solid, it’s his glove and defensive instincts that truly set him apart. A natural shortstop, the 6-foot Ickes shows excellent lateral range to both his left and right, along with smooth footwork and sure hands. He excels at charging slow rollers and throwing on the run, consistently delivering strikes to first base. Even though he’s only a fringe-average runner in straight-line speed, his first-step quickness, instincts, and keen internal clock allow him to make plays most collegiate shortstops can’t. At the plate, Ickes profiles as a gap-to-gap, line-drive hitter who uses the whole field. He’s not a power hitter by trade (he hit just one homer each in his freshman and sophomore seasons), but his 5 homers on the Cape were a pleasant surprise, hinting at a bit more pop developing as he continues to mature physically. He controls the strike zone well and is willing to take a walk, contributing to healthy on-base percentages in college (.387 OBP in 2025) and summer ball. With a pro-ready mindset and two years of starting experience, Ickes exudes a quiet confidence and steady presence on the field. Coaches laud his work ethic and maturity, traits that should serve him well at the next level.
Player Profile
Build: Lean, athletic frame with proportional strength. Listed at 6’0”, 175 lbs, with some room to add muscle without sacrificing agility. Maintains good flexibility and lower-half strength, ideal for a middle infielder.
Offensive Approach: Balanced right-handed swing focused on contact. Sets up with a simple, quiet stance and uses a short, direct path to the ball. Sprays line drives to all fields and rarely sells out for power. Shows patience and strike-zone awareness – walked nearly as often as he struck out this summer on the Cape. Comfortable hitting from behind in counts; will take a walk if he doesn’t get a pitch to drive.
Bat Speed & Impact: Average bat speed at present with a line-drive swing plane. Not a big exit-velocity guy, but he finds barrels consistently. Gap-to-gap hitter who can drive balls into the alleys for extra bases (19 doubles across his first two college seasons). Power is currently below average – capable of the occasional pull-side home run when he gets a mistake pitch (he hit his first collegiate homer in May 2024 and added one more in 2025. His wood-bat power surge (5 HR on the Cape) suggests there may be a bit more power to unlock as he continues to get stronger.
Defense & Athleticism: Plus defender at shortstop with advanced actions. Smooth footwork and excellent range to both sides allow him to get to balls in the hole and up the middle that lesser shortstops miss. Charges softly hit balls with confidence and has a quick transfer. His arm is strong and very accurate – he excels at throwing on the run and can make the off-balance throw from the 5-6 hole look routine. Only a fringe-average runner in the 60-yard dash, but his lateral quickness and instinctual positioning compensate for raw foot speed. Missed a month in 2025 with an injury but is otherwise a durable, dependable presence up the middle.
Base Running: Smart, heady base runner who picks his spots. He won’t wow with pure speed, but he’s an efficient thief when he does go (13-for-16 in stolen bases across 2024-25). Reads pitchers well and gets good jumps. Takes extra bases on hits thanks to solid instincts. Overall a positive on the bases due to his awareness, despite only fringe speed.
Projection
Ickes profiles as a defense-first shortstop who could play the game for a long time on the strength of his glove. At the college level, he’s a true linchpin at shortstop, and that should continue into his junior year and beyond. For pro ball, his slick fielding, reliable arm, and calm infield leadership give him a chance to stick as a utility infielder or defensive-minded shortstop in the mold of a Nick Ahmed type. The question will be how much impact his bat can provide. He projects as more of a line-drive hitter than a slugger, and while he may never be a middle-of-the-order force, the improvements he showed – particularly using a wood bat on the Cape – are encouraging. If he can consistently post an OPS in the high .800s as he did this summer and maybe grow into mid-single-digit home run power, Ickes will draw interest as a steady, all-around shortstop. He looks like a potential mid-to-late round draft pick after his junior year, valued for his premium defense, solid plate discipline, and makeup. Even if the bat peaks as average, his glove could carry him into a pro role. Overall, Ickes projects as a high-floor prospect – a future utility infielder in pro ball with the upside to be an everyday shortstop if the bat continues to progress.
| Hit | Power | Run | Field | Ovr |
| 55 | 40 | 45 | 60 | 50 |
Big West Dugout 