Liam Hicks

Early life and amateur career

Liam Hicks was born in Toronto, Ontario, and attended Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute in the city. His baseball journey began in the Canadian amateur system before he moved to the United States for college. Hicks initially enrolled at Mineral Area College, a community college in Park Hills, Missouri, where he played for their college baseball team for two years. Seeking a higher level of competition, he then transferred to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to play for the Arkansas State Red Wolves. He competed for the Red Wolves for two seasons, honing his skills as a catcher and left-handed hitter. During the summer of 2018, Hicks gained valuable experience playing in his home country for the Guelph Royals of the Intercounty Baseball League, a prominent summer collegiate league in Ontario. This period of development across multiple competitive environments prepared him for the professional ranks.

Professional career

Hicks entered professional baseball when the Texas Rangers selected him in the ninth round, with the 254th overall pick, of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Rangers, receiving a signing bonus of $30,000, and began his pro career with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Rangers. The 2022 season saw Hicks demonstrate advanced on-base skills across three minor league levels. He played for the Single-A Down East Wood Ducks, the High-A Hickory Crawdads, and again with the ACL Rangers. In 50 total games that year, he posted an impressive cumulative batting line of .327 with a .462 on-base percentage and a .460 slugging percentage, hitting three home runs with 32 runs batted in and five stolen bases. His performance established him as a prospect known for exceptional plate discipline.

Hicks continued his ascent in the Rangers system during the 2023 season, splitting time between the High-A Hickory Crawdads and the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders. Over 92 games, he hit a combined .275 with a .414 on-base percentage and a .373 slugging percentage, adding four home runs, 45 RBI, and seven stolen bases. His ability to draw walks remained a consistent feature of his game, as he finished the season with 59 walks. On July 28, 2024, the Rangers traded Hicks and pitcher Tyler Owens to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for major league catcher Carson Kelly. Hicks finished the 2024 season with the Tigers' Double-A affiliate, the Erie SeaWolves, appearing in 33 games and posting a batting line of .272/.414/.368 with two home runs and 14 RBI.

Rule 5 selection and major league debut with Miami

The trajectory of Hicks's career changed dramatically on December 11, 2024, when the Miami Marlins selected him from the Tigers in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft. This meant Hicks had to remain on the Marlins' active major league roster for the entire 2025 season or be offered back to Detroit. He earned a spot on the Marlins' Opening Day roster and made his MLB debut on March 28, 2025, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, going 0-for-3 with a walk. He recorded his first major league hit, a single off New York Mets reliever Clay Holmes, on April 2. A significant milestone came on April 19, 2025, when Hicks hit his first career home run, a three-run shot off fellow Canadian Jordan Romano of the Philadelphia Phillies. He drove in four runs in that game, setting a career high he would later match.

As a rookie in 2025, Hicks appeared in 119 games for the Marlins, batting .247 with a .346 on-base percentage and a .346 slugging percentage. He hit six home runs and drove in 45 runs. His advanced plate discipline was immediately evident at the highest level, as he led all MLB rookies with a 0.77 walk-to-strikeout ratio, drawing 43 walks against 56 strikeouts. According to advanced metrics, he ranked in the 98th percentile in chase rate and the 91st percentile in whiff rate, demonstrating elite bat-to-ball skills and strike zone judgement. Defensively, he served as the team's primary catcher, making 62 appearances behind the plate with a .995 fielding percentage, while also seeing time at first base and designated hitter. His performance accumulated 1.0 Wins Above Replacement (fWAR), marking the most successful debut by a Marlins Rule 5 pick in nearly two decades.

Breakout 2026 season and trade to Tampa Bay

Entering the 2026 season, Marlins coaches challenged Hicks to increase his strength and bat speed to add more power to his game. He responded with a breakout offensive campaign. Before a mid-season trade, Hicks played 101 games for Miami, significantly improving his power numbers. He posted a batting line of .282/.363/.432, hitting 14 home runs and driving in 62 runs, which demonstrated the development the organization had sought. His season was briefly interrupted when he was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 20, 2026, retroactive to June 19, due to a low back strain. On August 3, 2026, the Marlins traded Hicks to the Tampa Bay Rays in an all-Florida deal, receiving prospects Jacob Kisting, Adrian Santana, and Brayden Taylor in return. Hicks finished the 2026 season with the Rays, contributing to their postseason push. Key offensive achievements from his 2026 season include the following.

• Hit 14 home runs, more than doubling his rookie season total of six.
• Recorded 62 runs batted in, a significant increase from his 45 RBI in 2025.
• Maintained a strong .363 on-base percentage while boosting his slugging percentage to .432.
• Began the season wearing number 34 for the Marlins after changing from his previous number on April 16, 2026.

His improved performance in 2026 solidified his status as a legitimate major league hitter. He blended his elite plate discipline with newfound power during that season. The Miami Marlins traded Hicks to the Tampa Bay Rays on August 3, 2026. He continued to serve as a catcher and occasional first baseman or designated hitter for the Rays. His combined 2026 statistics across both clubs reflected a major step forward in his offensive production.

Playing style and attributes

Liam Hicks is a left-handed hitting catcher known for an unconventional but highly effective offensive profile built on elite plate discipline and contact skills. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds, he does not fit the traditional mould of a power-hitting catcher. Instead, his greatest strength is his exceptional ability to control the strike zone. Throughout his minor and major league career, he has consistently posted more walks than strikeouts, a rare feat that highlights his advanced approach. In his rookie season, his chase rate and whiff rate ranked among the very best in all of Major League Baseball, placing him in the company of renowned hitters like Juan Soto in terms of swing discipline. Early in his MLB tenure, Hicks's batted-ball data showed a need for more impact, as his hard-hit rate and average exit velocity were among the lowest in the league. This analysis led to a focused training regimen after the 2025 season aimed at increasing bat speed and strength.

The work paid clear dividends in 2026, as he dramatically increased his home run output while maintaining his high on-base skills. Defensively, he is a capable catcher with reliable hands, posting fielding percentages near .995. His versatility is an asset, as he has logged significant innings at first base and as a designated hitter, allowing his bat to remain in the lineup even when he is not catching. His progression from a contact-oriented on-base specialist to a more complete power threat defines his development as a player and his ongoing adjustment to the demands of major league pitching.

Career statistics and performance

The following information outlines Liam Hicks's major league statistics through the conclusion of the 2026 season. In his 2025 rookie season with Miami, he batted .247 with six home runs and 45 RBI in 109 games. During the 2026 season, he played 101 games for Miami before his trade to Tampa Bay. His combined 2026 slash line was .282/.363/.432 with 14 home runs and 62 RBI, illustrating his year-over-year development.

Personal life and Canadian representation

Born and raised in Toronto, Liam Hicks is part of a strong contingent of Canadian players in Major League Baseball. His journey from Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute to the majors serves as an inspiration for young baseball players across Canada, demonstrating that a path exists through the U.S. college system and the MLB draft. His first major league home run coming off fellow Canadian Jordan Romano, a reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies, was a notable moment for Canadian baseball fans. Hicks has spoken openly about the adjustments he made to succeed at the highest level, including specific dietary changes like incorporating ground beef and rice to support his training. While much of his personal life remains private, his public comments focus on his dedication to improving his craft, his work ethic, and his appreciation for the opportunity to represent Canada in professional baseball. His success as a Rule 5 pick and his subsequent development into an everyday player have made him a respected figure within the Canadian baseball community.

Questions about Liam Hicks

What MLB teams has Liam Hicks played for?

Liam Hicks has played for two Major League Baseball teams. He made his MLB debut with the Miami Marlins in 2025 and played for them through the first part of the 2026 season. On August 3, 2026, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, where he finished the 2026 season. Prior to reaching the majors, he was drafted and developed in the minor league systems of the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers.

How did Liam Hicks reach the major leagues?

Hicks reached the major leagues through the Rule 5 draft, a unique and challenging path. After being traded from the Texas Rangers to the Detroit Tigers in 2024, the Miami Marlins selected him in the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft on December 11, 2024. Rule 5 rules required the Marlins to keep Hicks on their active major league roster for the entire 2025 season. He made the team out of spring training, debuted on Opening Day, and successfully retained his spot all year, thereby fulfilling the Rule 5 requirements and securing his major league future.

What is Liam Hicks known for as a hitter?

Liam Hicks is best known for his exceptional plate discipline and elite contact skills. As a rookie in 2025, he led all MLB rookies in walk-to-strikeout ratio and ranked in the top percentiles of the league in chase rate and whiff rate, meaning he rarely swings at pitches outside the strike zone and almost always makes contact. Initially, his profile was that of a high-on-base, low-power hitter. In 2026, he successfully added more power to his game, significantly increasing his home run and slugging percentages while maintaining his strong on-base abilities, evolving into a more complete offensive threat.

What positions does Liam Hicks play?

Hicks is primarily a catcher, which is his main defensive position. However, to keep his bat in the lineup, he has also seen considerable playing time at first base and as a designated hitter. During his rookie season with the Marlins in 2025, he started 62 games at catcher, 28 games at first base, and 21 games as the designated hitter. This defensive versatility provides his managers with valuable flexibility in constructing the daily lineup.

What were Liam Hicks's stats in his rookie 2025 season?

In his rookie 2025 season with the Miami Marlins, Liam Hicks appeared in 119 games. He batted .247 with a .346 on-base percentage and a .346 slugging percentage. He hit six home runs and drove in 45 runs. His most notable statistical achievement was his plate discipline, as he drew 43 walks against only 56 strikeouts, giving him a 0.77 walk-to-strikeout ratio that led all major league rookies. He also recorded 13 doubles and one triple during his first year.

Where is Liam Hicks from in Canada?

Liam Hicks is from Toronto, Ontario. He is a Canadian professional baseball player who attended Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute in Toronto during his high school years. His early baseball career included playing for the Guelph Royals in the Canadian Baseball League during the 2018 season. This background in Ontario established his foundation in the sport before he pursued college baseball in the United States and eventually a professional career in Major League Baseball.

Sources and further reading

• Liam Hicks (Wikipedia)
• Liam Hicks, Tampa Bay Rays (mlb.com)
• Liam Hicks Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie ... (baseball-reference.com)
• Liam Hicks: I needed to get stronger to stick in MLB, Marlins (fishonfirst.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-30.