Liam Hicks’ rookie season in the majors was a baptism by fire, and it set the stage for what he can contribute to the Marlins in 2026. Stash him away under Rule 5 protections, Miami had to keep Hicks on the big-league roster all year or risk sending him back to the Detroit Tigers, the organization that originally developed him—even though he hadn’t risen above Double-A in the minors.
Despite the pressure, Hicks held his own as a first-year catcher in the majors. He’s clear there’s more to unlock as he heads into his second season.
“My goal is to be in the lineup every day,” Hicks said. “Obviously, I’m going to do everything I can to prove that.”
Hicks opened the year as Miami’s backup catcher, behind Nick Fortes and later Agustin Ramirez, another rookie. Yet his role expanded as the season progressed.
In total, he started 49 games behind the plate, added 23 starts at first base, and filled 20 games as the designated hitter. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough found ways to keep Hicks’s left-handed bat in the lineup as often as possible.
While Hicks didn’t provide power—he finished with six home runs and 20 total extra-base hits across 390 plate appearances, and a 0.692 OPS—he demonstrated a knack for getting on base with a patient, simple swing. His .346 on-base percentage ranked fourth among the 11 Marlins players with at least 250 plate appearances and eighth among all qualified rookies in MLB for the year.
Statistically, Hicks was in the upper tier of several key metrics among qualified MLB hitters last season: chase rate (17.6%, 98th percentile), whiff rate (15.1%, 91st percentile), strikeout rate (14.4%, 87th percentile), and walk rate (11%, 80th percentile).
Having stable playing time helped him settle in and adapt, even as he moved around the diamond.
Now Hicks aims to build on that foundation.
“Continual adjustments will come all season,” Hicks noted. “The player you are in April isn’t the same as the player you’ll be in September. You have to keep working, because you’re in the big leagues—no room for complacency. There’s daily work to do to keep getting better, and you’ve got to understand and embrace your role.”
One role he’s embraced is pinch-hitting. In the minors, he was a full-time starter, so pinch-hitting or entering games mid-spot hadn’t been a regular concern. In 2025, Miami leaned on him heavily in that duty, with Hicks leading the team with 26 pinch-hit appearances, though he batted .190 (4-for-21) in those situations, offset by a few walks, a hit-by-pitch, and a sac fly.
“Going forward, that’s likely to be my role,” Hicks said. “As the season progressed, I learned how to prepare and be ready for those late-inning chances.”
To begin 2026, Ramirez and Hicks are expected to carry the load at catcher, with Joe Mack—No. 5 in Miami’s system and No. 70 overall in MLB Pipeline—waiting in the wings. Mack is known for solid defensive work behind the plate and could be the early-call if he impresses out of spring training.
Miami’s pitching staff should remain competitive. The rotation could feature a dozen viable options, even after the departures of Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers. The likely five starters at the outset are Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, and Chris Paddack, in some order, health permitting through spring.
The bullpen will look a little different without Ronny Henriquez, a top high-leverage arm in 2025. The Marlins have strengthened the group by adding closer Pete Fairbanks and lefty John King this offseason. They should join a core that includes Anthony Bender, Tyler Phillips, Calvin Faucher, and Cade Gibson, with a few spots still up for grabs during spring.
Calvin Faucher’s arbitration case concluded with him receiving the team’s filing, $1.8 million, after he had sought $2.05 million. Faucher had led Miami with 15 saves in 20 chances a season ago, posting a 3.28 ERA with 59 strikeouts against 24 walks over 60 1/3 innings in 65 relief appearances. At 30, he’s expected to continue as a high-leverage reliever, likely in a setup role this season after the offseason addition of Fairbanks.
Jordan McPherson covers Miami sports for the Miami Herald, with a background in reporting on the Hurricanes and Panthers and a degree from the University of Florida.
