Atlanta Braves rookie Hicklen delivers clutch debut in Cardinals win

Atlanta Braves rookie Hicklen shines in first MLB game since May 2025

The Atlanta Braves avoided a series sweep in St. Louis with a 4-3 win on July 12, and rookie Brewer Hicklen made his long-awaited MLB debut.

What happened in St. Louis

Hicklen went 2-for-4 with a run batted in as the Braves beat the Cardinals. The win snapped a three-game losing streak in the series and left Atlanta 3rd in the National League with a 55-40 record.

Hicklen’s emotional moment after debut

After the game, Hicklen told BravesVision: “It’s such a blessing. I just think back to the journey that it’s taken to get here… I really can’t put into words how thankful I am for the Braves organization… As a kid growing up in Alabama, there’s nothing more I wanted in life than to play for the Atlanta Braves.”

Who is Brewer Hicklen

Hicklen, 28, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the seventh round in 2017. He’s logged parts of three MLB seasons with Kansas City, Milwaukee and Detroit before landing in Atlanta. His last MLB appearance came on May 8, 2025 — nearly two months before Sunday’s debut.

Where Braves go from here

Atlanta’s three-game set in Missouri wrapped with the win, but the club remains 3rd in the NL with a 55-40 record and on a W1 streak. The Braves head home to face Miami next.