Shushkewich: Hicks' strong rookie season with Marlins helps him land WBC roster spot

Toronto Mets alum Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) enjoyed a solid rookie season with the Miami Marlins in 2025.

January 21, 2026

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

Heading into the 2024-25 offseason, catcher Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.) knew that a change of scenery could be on the horizon.

The former Toronto Mets and Arkansas State University backstop started the 2024 season with the Texas Rangers, playing alongside Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.) in double-A Frisco, but finished the campaign with the Detroit Tigers. Hicks and right-hander Tyler Owens were dealt at the trade deadline to the AL Central squad, with veteran backstop Carson Kelly heading to Texas in return.

With the offseason now in full swing, it wasn’t a trade that Hicks was concerned about – it was the Rule 5 Draft. Hicks wasn’t added to the Tigers' 40-man roster following the regular season which made him available in the draft.

“No, I originally didn’t think I would get picked,” said Hicks. “Catcher’s really don’t hear their name called in the draft, I didn’t think it was a real possibility. As the date got closer, I started seeing my name pop up in articles and an old manager called me saying that some teams had reached out to him, so that started to make me really think that I could get drafted.”

By the end of draft night, Hicks turned out to be right. He was not only one of the first picks off the board – the first position player and the only one in the top six picks – but he was heading to a team that needed some help behind the plate in the Miami Marlins.

“I was just excited,” said Hicks. “It’s great to see a team value you and want to give you a shot to see if you can stick with their big league team. Especially Miami, I knew there was some opportunity there. A good young team focused on building something special down there.”

Hicks’ first order of business was to get situated with his new team and find a way to produce in spring training so that he remained with the Marlins.

Per the Rule 5 draft guidelines, if Hicks doesn’t make the Opening Day roster or gets removed from the active roster during the regular season, he must be offered back to his original team. The Tigers had a solid tandem in Dillon Dingler and Jake Rogers at the big league level, with Tomas Nido being the next in line in triple-A.

That spring, Hicks posted a .200/.400/.233 slash line, producing six hits (one double) and three RBIs while walking seven times compared to six strikeouts. His work behind the plate was also impressive, and the Marlins liked what they saw and gave him a spot on the Opening Day roster alongside Agustin Ramirez.

It was an incredible moment for the backstop, who hadn’t played a single out of triple-A baseball before finding himself on a big league roster. He had earned his spot, but now he was tasked with keeping it for the long haul.

“The main thing was to do as much as I could to make the team,” said Hicks. “I wanted to show them how hard I worked and how much I was willing to put in, to become a big leaguer. I think another main part was learning the team, learning the pitchers. That’s important.

“I was super excited to be named to the Opening Day roster, but I knew there was still work to do, so I wasn’t trying to get too far ahead of myself. Just because I made the team, doesn’t mean my spot all season is guaranteed. I definitely reflected on my past, where I came from, and how much work I put into getting to this moment, but my goal was to stay in the big leagues and keep working to achieve that goal.”

When the dust settled, Hicks finished the season with a .247/.346/.346 slash line, 13 doubles, one triple, and six home runs across 332 at-bats. The left-handed bat amassed a .693 OPS and a .278 BABIP during his inaugural campaign while finishing with a 98 wRC+ and a .313 wOBA, which resulted in a 1.3 bWAR overall.

What separated Hicks from his teammates was his plus eye at the plate, as he ranked in the 98th percentile in chase percentage (17.6) and the 91st percentile in K% (15.1). He struck out at a minuscule 14.4% rate – over 7.8% below the MLB average – and walked 43 times compared to 56 strikeouts during his rookie season.

Fielding-wise, Hicks saw 437 1/3 innings behind the plate but also split time at first base (28 games/206 1/3 innings) and in the DH spot (22 games). As a catcher, he tossed out 10.5% of base stealers while finishing with a .995 fielding percentage.

Hicks recalled quite a few moments from his rookie season – his first big league hit, the first baserunner he threw out - and noted that his first home run was a moment that he’ll never forget.

On the road against the Philadelphia Phillies, Hicks started the game with a fielder’s choice to third, but he was lights out the rest of the evening. Three straight singles followed, and then came his top of the ninth two-run shot to right-centre field off fellow Canuck Jordan Romano. A 94.8 MPH drive that landed a few rows behind the wall.

“That first home run was special,” explained Hicks. “I wasn’t doing so well out of the gate, struggling a bit, and then I went 4-for-5 against the Phillies. That game really let me breathe, and it felt like a weight was just lifted off my shoulders. I could just go about and tell myself I was here for a reason.”

Did Hicks know it was a home run off the bat?

“Actually, I didn’t,” said Hicks with a chuckle. “I think I hit it like 94, so it wasn’t demolished by any means. I was hustling out of the box just in case. That’s probably a home run in like two parks, and we just happened to be at one of them.

“I also got the ball back, which was great. We were making a comeback in that game and putting them on their heels, so the fans were getting upset and actually threw the ball back for me.”

Toronto Mets alum Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.), middle, was presented with Baseball Canada’s Stubby Clapp Award by Stubby Clapp (Windsor, Ont.), left, at the Baseball Canada Awards banquet on January 10. Photo: Eugenio Matos, Baseball Canada

For his efforts on the diamond, Baseball Canada honoured him with the Stubby Clapp Award, which celebrates a player whose perseverance and determination helped them reach the big leagues. Hicks, who was a Rule 5 catcher that amassed over 300+ at-bats in his rookie campaign, easily fits the bill. Not many Rule 5 players last spring training with their new clubs, never mind a full season. He was the first Marlins player to last through a full season since right-hander Elieser Hernandez, who was selected in 2017.

It’s also why Hicks will be heading to Puerto Rico come March, joining Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic, which should see one of the deepest teams this nation has assembled at the tournament.

It is projected that Hicks will form a tandem alongside Bo Naylor, who was featured at the 2023 WBC tournament.

“Greg (Hamilton) talked to me a bit about the opportunity and I am definitely interested and want to play in the tournament,” said Hicks. “It will be the first time I get to represent Canada at a tournament of this magnitude, so I am excited for the opportunity and ready to get going.”

For Hicks, it will be an interesting few months as the Ontario product looks to improve upon his rookie campaign and establish a bigger role on the Marlins heading into 2026.

He will be teammates with a former Fieldhouse Pirate this upcoming campaign, as Owen Caissie (Burlington, Ont.) was traded to Miami this past winter in a deal that saw fireballer Edward Cabrera head to the Windy City.

Hicks and Caissie know each other through the Canadian pipeline, but they have also met up this winter due to their proximity during the offseason training regimens.

“We both live in the same area in Florida, so we met up a few weeks ago,” said Hicks. “Played some pickleball, watched some football, and went to dinner and just caught up. It’s exciting to see he’s part of the team, and I know he and I will catch up again before spring training starts.”

And who won the all-important pickleball match?

“He beat me sadly, but it was close,” laughed Hicks.

With Caissie joining the team, the duo and infielder Otto Lopez (Montreal, Que.) form a strong contingent of Marlins players who will represent Canada at the upcoming tournament, as well as former Fish hurler Cal Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.), who is without a contract at this time but expected to pitch for Canada in March.

Things are looking up for Liam Hicks heading into 2026. After a couple of years of having to pack things up for new organizations, through trade and the Rule 5 Draft, the 26-year-old is now able to head into spring training with some big league experience under his belt and a new opportunity on the horizon with Team Canada.

While he might not fit the Stubby Clapp Award category come next offseason, there is no doubt that Hicks is one name to keep in mind when it comes to Canadians who influenced the game north of the border, as he is going to be a big leaguer fans should keep an eye on moving forward.