Liam Hicks
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Marlins
Liam Hicks Looking To Earn Backup Catcher Spot For Marlins
Miami Marlins catching prospect Liam Hicks has a "real chance" to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, according to Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix. The backstop also drew praise from starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara. If the 25-year-old were to make the team, he'd be expected to back up Nick Fortes. The left-handed hitter hasn't shown much power, having hit 13 home runs in 878 minor-league at-bats, but he has shown the ability to put the bat on the ball with a .274 career average in the minors, and he has a keen eye with an MiLB career walk rate of 15.1 percent -- compared to just a 13.4 percent strikeout rate. The former ninth-round draft pick also made a name for himself during the 2023 Arizona Fall League by leading the circuit in batting average at .449 and on-base percentage of .553, including a six-hit game that October. Hicks wouldn't warrant fantasy draft consideration in most leagues as a backup catcher, but if he were to somehow end up with the starting gig, he's got the contact skills and ability to get on base via the walk that would provide some fantasy intrigue.
Feb 26
