Marlins' Liam Hicks is making the most of his opportunity this season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After transferring to Arkansas State for his final two years of college, Liam Hicks started to make a name for himself. He caught the attention of the Texas Rangers, who drafted him in the ninth round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
He'd spend a few years working through the minors before he was traded to the Detroit Tigers in the middle of the 2024 season. But not being protected by the Tigers' 40-man roster allowed the Miami Marlins to take him second in the Rule 5 draft.
He would go on to make the team's Opening Day roster last year and split his time with Nick Fuentes and Agustin Ramirez. However, Fuentes was traded last summer, and Ramirez is seeing more of a DH role, allowing Hicks to get more looks behind the plate.
MORE: Marlins cut ties with former Yankees, White Sox veteran for .460 OPS reason
Hicks had times where he struggled last season, as most rookies do. Across 119 games, he hit .247/.346/.346 with six home runs and 45 runs batted in.
But this season, he has looked like a completely different hitter at the plate. Across 24 games, the young slugger is hitting .321/.368/.513 with four home runs and 21 runs batted in.
With what he has done so far, Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter tags him as one of the biggest surprises this season.
"With Nick Fuentes traded last summer and Agustin Ramirez seeing more time at DH as a result of his defensive limitations, Hicks has carved out a regular role behind the plate and a prominent spot in the middle of the batting order for a Marlins team that has been sorely lacking in impact bats."
Hicks has turned into the premier catcher for Miami and consistently bats cleanup for a team that has not had a lot to write home about offensively over the years.
His play is part of the reason why the Marlins have gotten out to a solid start, and if the team can figure out its road woes, this could be a club that stays in contention in the NL East all season.
Munetaka Murakami is not the only White Sox player trying to shine this season
A neglected bullpen is the only real weakness for the Yankees
Royals' stellar starting rotation is being wasted by a shaky bullpen
Athletics surprising the league while waiting for the bats to wake up
High strikeout rates and run differential have the Rangers looking dangerous