Offseason dedication transformed Liam Hicks' swing and physique, igniting his career-best Marlins season and driving critical runs.
Miami Marlins catcher Liam Hicks' bat is still red hot, sustaining his career-best start to the season. However, it wasn't an overnight process to reach this peak. Hicks spent countless hours in the offseason changing his game and his body.
Hicks is in a four-way tie for league RBI leader with 13. The 26-year-old batted in seven runs last season in his first 12 games.
What has fueled a dramatic shift in his hitting is the workout regimen Miami handed to Hicks during the offseason, starting with weightlifting in the gym.
"Getting stronger was a big focus, which is something I kind of started to do last year, about halfway through the year," Hicks told the "Fish on First" podcast on Friday. "Really focus on getting in there a little more often and with a little more intent."
The Marlins also assigned their young catcher a bat-swing speed regimen three days a week. Hicks said it was a mix of heavy and light bat workouts, focusing on swinging as hard as he can.
Alongside improving his speed, he changed his lower-body movement to generate more power and rotation.
Hicks' swinging motion last year included two toe taps, a setup tap and a leadoff tap. The first toe top would shift his stance parallel and shoulders width apart, then the leadoff would initiate his swinging motion to hit a pitch.
Now, he's changed it to a fluid leg swing motion that has helped him start the 2026 season with a hot bat.
"I do think that my body moves a little bit better with that," Hicks said. "I think last year with the toe tap, I started to cut my stride off a little bit, and it would just limit my ability to rotate."
The change in his swinging motion has made Hicks one of the most exciting hitters when he's at the plate. He's gotten his teammates home with his electrifying hits that fly past infielders and outfielders.
His transformation as a hitter helped fuel the Marlins' 8-5 start to the season. Some of Miami's success could tie into their catcher's ability to drive in RBI.
The team is 4-1 when he records an RBI, their lone loss coming against the Chicago White Sox when starting pitcher Chris Paddack allowed eight runs in two innings.
Despite his hot bat, Hicks understands that the season is long and that many trials and tribulations are waiting for him in the future.
"You know, there's a lot of praise, and it's cool to start off this well," Hicks said. "But I know how long the season is and there's so many ups and downs."
ㅤ
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!