Sounds' Hicklen using his power to help community

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville Sounds outfielder Brewer Hicklen has always felt a tie to his hometown of Huntsville, Ala.

The 28-year-old has returned home nearly every offseason since the Royals drafted him in 2017 to hold a youth camp that has reached an attendance of 150. Heading into the 2024 season, he wanted to step up his charitable giving by starting a fundraiser for The Bullpen Foundation, a North Alabama-based organization benefiting youth sports participation.

Under a campaign named Homers for Hope, Hicklen and his wife are donating $100 to The Bullpen Foundation for every roundtripper he hits. They are inviting other people to join the pledge, which has reached $9,200, with a goal of $30,000.

Homers for Hope has also coincided with a tremendous season for Hicklen, who's leading the Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A affiliate in many slugging categories.

With a team-leading 19 home runs and .479 slugging percentage, Hicklen is proud of his season and the impact he can make. And although he's two hours from home and eager to help on the ground when the season is over, he's happy to see the impact he can make from afar.

"It's pretty unique to look back and realize how many different hands are on the blueprint of who I am today," Hicklen said. "I think that's pretty neat, and as I look into my future, I want to have my hands on other kids' development as well, not for any selfish ambition, but just because I want to provide opportunities for these kids."

Hicklen was drawn to The Bullpen Foundation because of its mission to help underprivileged children in Huntsville. The group has just crossed $80,000 raised since its inception two years ago, and Hicklen is hoping to push that total into the six figures.

With donations coming from local businesses in Huntsville as well, The Bullpen Foundation has been able to pay for new equipment and registration fees for children from low-income families as well as upgrade infrastructure in local parks. In a growing city with widespread needs, every dollar counts.

"It would make a huge impact," The Bullpen Foundation chairman Jason Landers said. "We're very intentional with the funds that we have right now, so we're only really able to help a select number of kids. That number is a lot bigger than what we're able to do. A contribution like this would go a really long way with additional kids it would be able to support."

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Hicklen volunteered at The Bullpen Foundation's offseason camp last year and is hoping to increase participation among local pros who work out together during the winter, including Jordan Beck (Rockies No. 3 prospect), Dylan Ray (D-backs No. 16 prospect) and Javier Vaz (Royals No. 13 prospect).

He sees Huntsville as a growing hot spot for baseball in a sports-hungry state -- if locals continue to invest in their community.

"There are a lot of people that say things, but they don't live them," said David Sharp, Hicklen's former high school coach who helps run the Sounds outfielder's offseason camp. "Brewer is a testament to living what he says. He's a genuine person, he has a heart of gold, and he's easy to pull for."