Liam Hicks drew some Dan Uggla comparisons in 2025. The rookie catcher accumulated 1.0 fWAR and stuck on the Miami Marlins active roster all season long despite joining the organization via the Rule 5 draft. In the nearly two decades since Uggla burst onto the scene in 2006, Hicks had the strongest debut of any Marlins Rule 5 pick.
That’s where the similarities between the two of them end. While Uggla distinguished himself with his physical strength and mountainous biceps, Hicks earned his keep at the major league level despite trailing most of his peers in power-based metrics. The team’s coaches did not shy away from directing him to make changes, as he shared on the Marlins Hot Stove Show in an interview this week.
Back in May, when discussing his role on the roster, the Marlins coaching staff told the 185-pound Hicks, “you need to get stronger if you’re gonna stick around here.” Although Hicks took the feedback in stride and wanted to work toward achieving that during the summer, his heavy usage—119 games played, including 62 behind the plate—left him with limited time to hit the gym. When their end-of-season meeting reiterated the need to “swing faster, throw harder,” he switched up his training accordingly.
I generally feel that Baseball Savant’s signature graphics atop player profile pages are overrated in their usefulness, but Hicks’ really does illustrate what makes his skill set so unconventional. The 26-year-old has a special talent for discerning the edges of the strike zone and making contact. On the other hand, he ranked in the fifth percentile among big leaguers in hard-hit rate. The only qualified players with a lower average exit velocity overall than his 84.6 mph mark were José Iglesias, Chandler Simpson and Mauricio Dubón. Hicks mashed just six home runs.
The goal for Hicks this offseason was to boost his bat speed. New Marlins assistant hitting coach Corbin Day put together a weighted bat program with that in mind. They were in “constant communication” as Hicks added approximately 10 pounds through the end of the program in early January. Dietary adjustments played a role as well, with the lefty-swinging Canadian saying that ground beef and rice has become a go-to meal for him.
For the past three weeks, Hicks has been hitting alongside new teammate Owen Caissie. “He could use some swing-decision stuff from me and I could use some tips on hitting homers from him, so it’s honestly a really good match.” During a recent session, Hicks says that Caissie was advising him on how to get underneath the ball more consistently to maximize his potential as a slugger.
Hicks is practically a lock to open up 2026 in the majors. He will split the catching reps with Agustín Ramírez while also pinch-hitting against right-handers and playing first base occasionally. But consensus MLB Top 100 prospect Joe Mack is breathing down his neck and expected to debut early in the season. To co-exist with Mack on the Marlins roster, Hicks must show that he has become a more complete player.