Liam Hicks DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Miami Marlins catcher Liam Hicks is getting the start behind the dish on Tuesday against the Mets and hitting sixth. Primary catcher Nick Fortes has been dealing with a neck issue that caused him to be scratched from a start this past Saturday, and he was pinch hit for late in the game on Monday, although it is unclear if the injury is what is keeping him out of the lineup on Tuesday. Hicks was a solid hitter in the minors, with a career batting average of .274, but was superb at getting on base via the walk, registering a career OBP of .405. Through his first seven games in the majors in 2025, the left-handed hitter is 4-for-18 (.222) with one double, an RBI, and a 1:3 BB:K. The situation is worth monitoring as Hicks could quickly become much more fantasy relevant if Fortes' injury continues to linger and forces an IL stint.

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.