6-15-25: Side Sessions | Liam Hicks | Miami Marlins | MLB
welcome into side sessions here Stephen Strom Jack McMullen We are joined here by Liam Hixie Hicks I love that everyone on this team has some sort of a shorter nickname And I can call you Hixie Right Of course Yeah Well thank you for joining us We are live from uh Washington DC here at Nationals Park It’s the third leg on this trip I know everyone is exhausted so we really appreciate you joining us today How you doing i’m doing great Thanks for having me Appreciate it Did you do any uh sightseeing yesterday on our off day on Thursday uh yeah I went to the Pentagon with with some of the guys Yeah With the they set up a little thing for the team probably like 15 guys So it was cool It was a good time How long were you there for i think it was like an hour total Yeah Took the metro into DC I passed the Canadian embassy You didn’t want to say hey to your friends too I didn’t No I’m good on that Um so you went to the Pentagon you’re uh we’re on this third leg of this trip and I think we want to get you on here because we’re looking at your numbers and we’re like people aren’t talking about Liam Hicks enough You’re leading the NL and rookie RBI’s You were a um uh a rule five pick uh from Detroit from the Marlins You’re on this team in spring training fighting for a spot You end up making it and here you are right now I mean what what has the journey been like thus far where do we We’re almost halfway through the year which is actually crazy to think Yeah it’s been crazy I mean I think yeah at the start it was definitely a little bit of a whirlwind but uh players teammates staff have been super supportive Uh really good Uh so as I’ve kind of got along in the season gotten a little more comfortable can kind of be myself a little bit more and uh I think that’s really helping me Let’s start with how you got here Did you know what the rule five draft was i’m sure you knew what it was but did you understand the process of how that worked did you think that this was at all a possibility that you were going to be somewhere else i knew what it was cuz I had a teammate the year before Justin Sllayton got picked uh by the Red Sox Awesome By the way can close games Exactly Yeah Really good pitcher Um so I knew what it was and like I’m also into baseball so like I follow I know that kind of stuff Um but no I knew like being a catcher like it was pretty unlikely that I know a catcher hasn’t been taken a long time and then also only having played in double A like I knew that was kind of uh might not make it a possibility So I really wasn’t going in like thinking about it or anything but I had some some former I had a former manager reach out like the night before and say like hey I’ve been like hearing from some teams like just asking about you like hope things go well So then I was like “Oh well maybe this will be possible.” I don’t know I didn’t want to get my hopes up at all So I was just like “Let me not think about it.” And Yeah What were the emotions like when you got selected in the rule five draft because when that happens you know that you kind of control your own destiny to become a Major League Baseball player which is really cool And obviously there’s a lot externally that needs to happen You were in Detroit Jake Rogers needs to get hurt right dylan Dingler needs to get hurt Somebody like that They’ve got prospects right you have injuries in front of you You have guys that are underperforming maybe get traded That has to happen for you to get to the major leagues with that organization Then all of a sudden you’re thrusted into this situation where it’s like hey if I hit in spring training I’m going to debut like in the first week of next year That had to be really hard to wrap your head around Yeah I I’d say so I I really didn’t try and think too far ahead really like really focused on just kind of taking it day by day But it definitely like gave me a lot of motivation in the off season Uh obviously I’m going to work hard no matter what Like I was going into hopefully breaking camp with AAA with Toledo But you and Yuri just skipping triple AAA You and Yuri Paris Um but yeah that gave me definitely a little bit more motivation like okay we got to lock in here come into spring training prepared and like it gave me a good opportunity to get down to Jupiter really early and start start working and uh not trying try try not to get ahead of myself but also like put in the work and show that I’m committed to to doing this and being ready And you were here in January right with Joe i mean what month is this for you i mean you’ve been playing for the last almost 10 months it feels like What did your January look like with Joe yeah so I was training at uh before I even had got picked by the Marlins or whatever when I was still with Detroit I was training in Cressy which is in Palm Beach Gardens So like literally like 10 minutes from the Jupiter complex Uh so it worked out really well that uh once I got picked I immediately was like “Okay let me message Joe.” He said he was gonna come down in January So yeah I’d go to Cresie in the mornings Usually I was living in uh Port St Lucy so I’d get up at like 5:36 get to Cresie at like 8:30 8 uh try and beat the traffic because it was pretty brutal And then work out there do my hitting there and then go eat lunch then meet Joe at like noon and then we’d do like an hour session just all catching So and I’m so happy you brought up the rule 52 and being in double A because usually it’s like “All right here’s your off seasonason Here’s what you need to do to be in AAA You’re going from double A to the majors Like what was sort of the everyday what am I trying to make sure when I get to the big leagues I can do?” Because again it’s not like you have a measuring stick Like you’re going from double A to the show Yeah I mean just as far as on the catching side Joe obviously was with the Reds in the big leagues the last few years So I was like I’m going to put my full trust into him Let him tell me whatever cuz uh I know that’s kind of part of my game that I really need to improve on So I was kind of like do whatever you want with me man Like tell me what I need to do I’m all ears What were the first couple things like pop time what what like stick with us i’d say it was all receiving to start We really like hammered out receiving Uh I had been with the Rangers They had taught a specific way to catch that I was kind of used to Um then went to the Tigers They really didn’t have much instruction just cuz it was midway through the season I didn’t really like get into like the nitty-gritty stuff with them as far as like what they teach Uh but then Joe we kind of just scrapped some of the stuff that I had been doing Kind of fell into some bad habits just throughout a whole season You know you’re just trying to get through every day And what were some of those bad habits uh just like glove load like some niche things like No go nerdy on us please We’re just a side session Yeah So the glove load was like the big thing I was loading uh very out front you know thumb to the ground Sure As you’d say and I’d kind of turn my hand We have a different name for it but I just kind of turn the thumb up Okay Kind of like uh like you see Trevvinho does it He’s really good at it obviously he has a ton of success um with it but so I was doing that but not doing it very effectively So we kind of scrapped that started from the b uh started loading a little bit deeper a little bit more of like a coil kind of like trying to stay loaded weight on the pitch longer Love it And Joe immediately like showed me some like heat maps of like my season from before and it was like completely blue on this inside corner to righty’s like all this this whole outside is blue Um so we really hammered that like all off season just trying to get around the ball Yeah So it’s it’s it was pretty cool Pretty eye opening He immediately was like sending me uh videos of some of the best receivers in the game Pat Bailey Yeah Pat Bailey some of the best throwers in the game like Real Mudo Bailey too as well He’d be sending me stuff at like midnight I’d be getting I’d wake up and I’d have like five messages of like a long like uh like PowerPoint that he had made So I mean he puts in a ton of work and like it was really cool really eye opening for me So when you say insider righties was blue that means that you were receiving and you were getting a lot of pitches on the black called balls instead of strikes right because you were deficient at pulling those back into the strike zone And and I want you to kind of go into framing because it’s something that’s a little abstract to the typical baseball fan right because typically those people will think “Oh catchers grab any pitch on the corner and just drag it right back into the strike zone.” That’s not the art form if I’m not mistaken No No Definitely definitely not I think the main thing you could say is you’re just trying to beat the ball to the spot like you’re trying to keep the strike a strike Like they’re throwing a breaking ball that’s going to move 10 in down at 85 mph If you’re starting above it you’re not going to be able to keep that in the strike zone without making it look like you’re just dragging it back So you’re really just trying to start below the ball and stop it like as fast as possible before it becomes a ball or it becomes a ball to ump Um yeah they’d say the main thing is just keeping the strikes the strikes Um Yeah exactly So if you like let’s say CB Buckner is behind the plate Is Joe giving you his history on where he calls strikes and balls does it go that detail or No No No It it wouldn’t go into that at all It would be it’s all this or our org is like all pitcher strength Like so you’re you’re not worrying too much about the umpire the umpire at all You’re not letting their calls affect the way you’re going to catch the ball catch the game They call a strike a ball It’s it can affect your game You got to be on to the next one Uh there’s plenty of pitches that you get in a game the chances you’re going to get So we’re all focused on the pitcher pitcher catcher relationship That’s the main the main focus Can I pivot to offense absolutely Yeah And then we’ll pivot to the timeline of growing up in Canada Perfect Um offensively it’s been really fun to watch this happen man cuz the first week you didn’t play opening day you get in the lineup you got an over attached to you and I know the hardest one to get in Major League Baseball is the first one and it took you a couple of days but once you got it dude it has been so much fun to watch you settle in And the big number that jumps out about Liam Hicks right he’s leading all NL rookies and RBI’s right now Situational baseball has been a joy to watch You don’t punch out Obviously the Marlins loved that you didn’t punch out but you hit a homer at 109 off the bat against the Dodgers right like had you done that before man i mean it really feels like you’re growing into your own as a Major League Baseball hitter Well I appreciate that And yeah no I don’t I don’t think I had done that before but yeah that’s kind of where the the coaching staff has kind of pushed me Um you know haven’t in the past history like haven’t struck out at like a high clip So made a lot of contact uh in the past So they’re kind of just pushing like be selective If you swing you’re probably you’re going to put it in play Um try and do a little more damage Like who cares if you swing and miss if you’re trying to do a little more damage You’re going to be 012 whatever the count is and you’re still going to have another chance to put the ball in play later Can I ask you was there a hump to get over with that like coaches reminding you hey you’re a guy that never punched out in the minor leagues The major leagues are different right and you’re seeing the best pitchers on the planet Did you have any like internal hurdle that you needed to clear saying “Well these guys are a lot better than anybody I’ve ever seen Maybe I strike out more up here cuz clearly you aren’t.” Uh it’s tough to say but I think it’s it’s like a daily hurdle Like in my mind I don’t want to punch out right but that’s not a good mindset to go into when you’re OO right just trying to get a hit not trying You can’t go up there trying not to punch out right so that’s like a daily thing that I talk with them like when I get in these advantage counts like like look for a certain pitch let it eat and let it eat if you think it’s that pitch But there’s still times where you know I’m a little apprehensive You know I’ll I’ll get in my own head like take it and then think come back to talk to the hitting coaches I’m like why did I do that so there’s still like an ongoing battle trying to learn that Yeah And like a lot of training like you can’t just go into you can’t just decide one day I’m going to swing harder You need to train it You need to get comfortable cuz you go in there and you swing harder You’re not just going to make contact every time Like you’re not going to put the ball on the barrel uh just cuz you’re swinging harder So I think that was kind of a big thing training like trying to do the damage trying to uh seek out these opportunities where you can try and do that But yeah it’s it’s an ongoing thing like still trying to do it every day You know you get that feeling for like a week and it goes really well and then you lose it and you got to fight to get it back It’s just something every baseball player goes through Curiously and whether it was when Clayton told you you made the team your first home run an interaction with a player what was your pinch me moment in the show um honestly I’d say the first hit was like the big one Uh you I I honestly like didn’t really feel like a major leager until I got that first hit Uh it it kind of like it really allowed me to like breathe and be like “Okay I’m I’ve made it Like I’m I’m good I can do this.” Even if it was just one hit like I’m like “Okay.” Cuz I don’t know why it was like playing in the game was wasn’t enough It once I got the first hit that was that was good And then also like interacting with players obviously as a catcher like everyone comes up to bat like like you say what’s up show Exactly Like there’s just like little things like that like just seeing Harper Freeman like say say hi to you like give you a little bat on the Yeah Exactly So that that stuff’s pretty cool Uh stuff you remember but then you’re trying to get them out right away Quiz time And I don’t know what the right answers are Who’d you get your first hit against klay Holmes Clay Dude that that’s an awesome Yeah it’s awesome First homer was in Philly right who was that against uh Romana Come on man Play Holmes in Romana this year And it should have been in Atlanta Your your home run That would have been Sorry that would have been a home run in I think 28 of 30 ballparks if I’m not mistaken Or 29 I think it was Yeah that would have been cool But it’s all right You got it against a countryman in Romano That’s right Fellow Canadian out there Good shot Uh we asked for 15 minutes Can we keep you for like another like three four minutes is that okay okay Uh I want to real quick go over the timeline back to Canada Just very interested Obviously we we always think about hockey right good Stanley Cup going on by the way Uh what was the childhood of Liam Hicks growing up in Canada yeah so uh grew up like you said playing hockey It was hockey in the winter baseball in the summer Um played up to both up until high school 11th grade Kind of had to make the decision uh enjoyed hockey but baseball was starting to kind of why becau to be fair like I think a lot of my friends played hockey and I wasn’t like one of the best hockey players that I knew Sure But out of all my friends like I was the best baseball player So I was like okay I I’m enjoying this Like I just enjoyed like practicing more Like I’d sure take the bus go hit off like hit hit with my brother and stuff and like I just enjoyed like the the practices of that more cocky I started to like kind of dread like you know going to practice late at night baseball Never really got tired of it So I was like “Okay stick with this Keep going with this.” And just enjoyed it a lot more How does a kid from Toronto make his way to Arkansas State University yeah So uh one of eight players ever to play in the show in Arkansas Arkansas State Wow Cool Um cool So I played for a travel ball team Toronto Mets uh growing up So they help with like college recruiting and stuff Um actually got diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when I was in high school in like I think like 10th grade So that was kind of when recruiting was starting So got really sick lost a ton of weight uh definitely was not up to standards with like what a division one baseball player would look like let alone like maybe D2 jo Anyways finally got healthy started to uh play a little bit better but that was really late So I ended up committing my senior year to Mineral Area Junior College in like June of my senior year Um my only legitimate offer uh out of co out of high school was gonna just stay in in uh in Toronto and like do like a little go to school there kind of just play club baseball be done with it just move on But I was like I can I can go back and do that if I don’t enjoy it college Um so went played well started to play every day Good Fell in love with it more Yeah played there two years then got recruited by Arkansas State the fall of my sophomore year and ended up committing there How did you work through Crohn’s uh it was really tough Uh yeah like it was it was a battle Um didn’t really know what was going on Uh finally yeah it was tough Like I remember go to tournaments uh and I could like barely stay on the field like just like barely eating Couldn’t hold anything down Uh but just grinding through maybe probably like 130 pounds just like trying my wow trying to play but still enjoyed playing but it just yeah it sucked but I knew like once I got healthy I could do it Finally did and uh yeah I knew I was just really grateful for my health for being able to kind of put the weight back on Blessings Yeah Yeah It really puts in perspective like how much better you are when you’re when you’re healthy like baseball comes second to that It take that any day So uh it was a grind but really thankful for finally getting over it and all good now Uh been really been really blessed with the health since then Well we’re happy you feel better too cuz you’re you’re here I got two quick ones Jack You want to go ahead i got two really quick ones too First favorite player growing up who was it uh favorite player growing up was Roy Halliday Sure Yeah I know it’s like he’s a pitcher but as a as a as a Jay’s fan growing up like he was he was the man He was amazing Uh so it was really cool Yeah My last one who’s a Miami Marlin that needs more love right now uh I would say all of them but yeah single one out That’s a that’s that is uh that is a tough one All of them But I mean I think uh one guy that’s really going to turn it on is Calvin Foch Cool I think he’s got elite stuff Um you know the ERA might not be where it should be Just based off really weird Exactly It’s like one I think it’s been like one outing that that really hasn’t been there Um but yeah really good stuff Uh he’s got a ton of weapons that he can pitch to lefties and righties So I think he’s someone that could get on a roll and be really good We opened about Hixie Like if Jack and I were in the clubhouse like Steven Stro Jack McBone like what what would we be like stevie Uh Strawie Dane Dane calls him Stevie Straw Straw Moles maybe Oh god that sucks Moles That stinks Moy I like Moy That’s horrible Stevie and Moy Straw and Mozy There’s a reason I’m not in that clubhouse man Side sessions with Hixie I love it man I already I forgot my other one but I really app I know you got to go I appreciate your time man This was awesome Thank you for being vulnerable about your story and your journey We’re so excited that you’re here and we’ve just enjoyed you so much up here in the big leagues man Well thanks for having me I really appreciate it All right that was Liam Hicks That’s uh that’s Moles What was it moy I’m Steven We’ll talk to you on the next episode of Side Sessions [Music] [Music]
Liam Hicks sits down with Stephen Strom and Jack McMullen as he discusses his journey from Toronto to the big leagues, the sliding door moments along the way, deep diving into the art of catching and his battle with Crohn’s disease.
#marlins #marlinsbéisbol #marlinsbaseball #homeofbéisbol #mlb
Click HERE to subscribe and receive our latest content:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Gh_pQ7l41tyBn2HeJ1k-A?sub_confirmation=1
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlins/
X: https://x.com/Marlins
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marlins/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marlins?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Catch us live!
https://www.mlb.com/marlins/tickets
Shop our merch:
https://www.mlbshop.com/miami-marlins/t-25000926+z-73041-754230621?_s=bm-mlbcom-mia