Liam

Hicks

Hicks gave the Marlins the lead in the third inning as he ambushed a first-pitch fastball from Tanner Gordon and clobbered a 411-foot (100.9 mph EV) two-run shot that made it a 3-2 ballgame. He then added on with a two-out, two-run single in the seventh that increased the Marlins’ advantage to 6-2. For the season, the 26-year-old backstop is now slashing .249/.346/.355 with just six homers and 44 RBI in 367 plate appearances.

Hicks, a Rule 5 pick from the Tigers, was a nice surprise for three months this year, but he’s hitting .210/.308/.261 during the second half. His exit velocity numbers are pretty bad, and it doesn’t really seems like there’s more power on the way. On defense, he looks good only in comparison to Agustín Ramírez. He shouldn’t be a big part of the Marlins’ plans for 2026. Maybe he could serve as a backup to a true starting catcher, but Ramírez hasn’t shown he’s that.

Ramirez has struggled as of late, and the Marlins will give the 24-year-old a break. Heriberto Hernandez is the designated hitter for Wednesday’s contest, and Liam Hicks will start behind the plate.

Hicks drove in a run with a fielder’s choice off of Clay Holmes in the third inning that tied the game at 2-2. He then scored on a throwing error by Holmes. The 26-year-old also reached on a fielder’s choice in the seventh inning and scored on an RBI single by Otto Lopez. He has done a nice job in his time with the Marlins this season, slashing .263/.355/.358 with just four homers and 38 RBI In 321 plate appearances.

It’s the second time in the past three days that the 28-year-old infielder has found himself situated on the bench for the Marlins. Liam Hicks will start in his place at first base and will bat third for the Marlins against Clay Holmes and the Mets on Thursday evening in New York.

Hicks has been seeing regular action as the Marlins’ cleanup hitter whether it has been as their catcher, first baseman or designated hitter. He’ll get a breather in this one though in a juicy matchup against right-hander Bryce Elder. Agustin Ramirez will do the catching while Troy Johnston will start at first base and bat seventh for the Marlins.

The Marlins have a 40-man roster spot open after trading Nick Fortes to the Rays, and it appears that Johnston will be called up to take that spot. The 28-year-old is hitting .252/.333/.439 with 12 home runs and 31 steals in 84 games at Triple-A this season. His power hasn’t quite gotten back to the levels that saw him hit 26 home runs in 2023, but his average exit velocity on the season is 90.9 mph, so there is still some thump in his bat. Johnston has played 33 games at 1B this season and 33 games in left field, so he could fill in at multiple spots with Liam Hicks now likely becoming the backup catcher behind Agustin Ramirez. Johnston could be an asset in deeper leagues with his modest power/speed upside.

All of Hicks’ hits were singles, but his performance is noteworthy because he has begun playing 1B and DH against right-handed pitchers for the Marlins lately. The 26-year-old carries catcher eligibility in all leagues, so if he is going to play every day against right-handed pitching at 1B or DH, he should maintain some value in two-catcher formats.

The 27-year-old has become a fixture in the middle of the Marlins’ lineup this season, but he’ll get a breather with rookie right-hander Didier Fuentes toeing the slab for the Braves. Liam Hicks will cover first base in his absence and bat seventh for the Marlins on Friday evening.

Hicks’ home run was his fourth of the year. He hit a two-run shot off Shane Baz in the sixth inning. Hicks was behind the plate Sunday as the Marlins are carrying three catchers with Agustin Ramirez and Nick Fortes. Hicks also occasionally gets at-bats at DH. He’s hitting .282 with 20 RBI and an .839 OPS on the season.