Joe Hicks is a native of Houston, Texas, who begins his first season with the Diablos in 2012.  The 5-11, 175 lbs outfielder was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 9th round of the 2002 draft.  He began his professional career with the Rookie level GCL Pirates of the Gulf Coast League in 2002-2003 before moving up to the Low-A Williamsport Crosscutters of the New York-Pennsylvania League in 2004-2006.  After taking a break in 2007 due to injury, Hicks returned to baseball with the independent Continental Baseball League’s Bay Area Toros in 2008 and 2009 before signing with the Normal CornBelters of the Frontier League in 2010 where he hit .229/.287/.314 with 13 runs, 24 hits, six doubles, one home run, seven RBIs, and 11 stolen bases in 29 games and a fielding percentage of .944 as an outfielder.