Rule 5 pick Hicks off on the right foot in Marlins' camp

JUPITER, Fla. -- It¡¯s snowbird season. Count Marlins catcher Liam Hicks among the northerners that traveled south for warmer weather.

The Toronto native was training at a facility in early December when a former Rangers teammate began streaming the Rule 5 Draft on his phone. Much to Hicks¡¯ surprise, his name was called by the Marlins.

While mentally preparing for his third organization since July, Hicks received a text from catching coach Joe Singley to let him know he would arrive in January if he wanted to come in. Hicks had a place to stay in Port St. Lucie, Fla., about 35 miles from the Marlins¡¯ Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex, so he began making the drive every day.

¡°I was like, ¡®OK, it's a no-brainer,¡¯¡± Hicks said. ¡°I had been catching a good amount, just catching bullpens, but I really wanted to kind of get to know [Singley] and know what his philosophies were.¡±

From 9-10:30 a.m., Hicks worked on the defensive side of his game. Afterward, he went through a throwing program and hit for an hour. Singley reviewed Hicks¡¯ 2024 season, pointing out what he did well and what he needed to improve on.

¡°Defensively, just being a leader, being really captive behind the plate, taking control of the game, control of the pitcher, trying to bring as many strikes in as we can,¡± Singley said. ¡°All facets of the game: pitch calling, setting up, trying to be as captivating as we can, as far as a target to throw to. ¡­ This spring, we really worked heavily on his throwing as well as his blocking and receiving.¡±

A hit-first catcher, Hicks had split his time behind the plate (61 games) and at designated hitter (49), with another three appearances at first base, in 2024. Across 113 games at the Double-A level for the Rangers' and Tigers' systems, the left-handed-hitting Hicks batted .264/.379/.357 with 20 doubles and six homers. He walked (64) more than he struck out (58).

Although Hicks is two steps away from the Majors, his hitting profile enticed the Marlins enough to pick him. It¡¯s a gamble the organization was willing to make since he must be named to the Opening Day roster -- and stay on it -- or be sent back to his original club (Tigers).

¡°Liam has a ton of talent and a lot of room for improvement, and he will have an opportunity to compete for the team, compete for a job this spring and to try to get better at the same time,¡± president of baseball operations Peter Bendix said. ¡°We drafted him for a reason, and we'd really like to see what he's able to do.¡±

The 25-year-old Hicks is trying not to put too much pressure on himself in his second big league camp, and first in the Grapefruit League. He wants to make the most of the opportunities given to him, play with more authority and do more damage at the plate.

Showing up early has gotten Hicks off on the right foot. It hasn¡¯t gone unnoticed by the organization.

¡°The most exciting part is just the human that Liam is and what he brings to the field every day, and him wanting to be down here and get work in,¡± director of catching Maxx Garrett said. ¡°I think that is really exciting, just like the opportunity that's in front of him. We're excited for him, and the fact that he wanted to get down here and see Joe, work with Joe, get on top of their player plan right away to hopefully put himself in a really good spot this spring.¡±

Since Wednesday¡¯s first workout, Hicks has caught Major League right-handers Valente Bellozo and George Soriano and prospects Robby Snelling (Miami's No. 6 prospect), Woo-Suk Go, John Rooney and Justin King. Hicks has leaned on primary catcher Nick Fortes and veteran Rob Brantly, who is a non-roster invitee that could make the club if Hicks isn¡¯t MLB-ready.

¡°Hopefully [coming in early] allowed him to transition now into when pitchers are starting to throw more live,¡± manager Clayton McCullough said. ¡°[When] we get toward games, that his comfort level continues to increase with that. We look to Liam just to go out there and go compete. That's all you can do, and trust the work that you're putting in. We don't expect it to be perfect right away, and nor should he. ¡­ I'm proud of the work Liam's put in, and [he has] come as advertised as a super teammate.¡±