Marlins Lose One of MLB's Biggest Breakout Hitters

The first signs of Hicks' injury surfaced Saturday when the Canadian native was scratched from the lineup.

Hicks was in the middle of a breakout season that few fans or analysts saw coming. The 27-year-old, in his sophomore campaign, got off to a scorching start and eclipsed many of the numbers he posted as a rookie.

This season, Hicks is hitting .278/.359/.472 with an .831 OPS, 13 home runs, 53 RBIs, and a 1.6 fWAR. His 13 home runs rank third among National League catchers, while his 53 RBIs are tied for fifth in the league.

The left-handed hitter has also become one of the toughest players in baseball to strike out. In 248 at-bats, Hicks has been punched out just 28 times, good for a 9.7 percent strikeout rate. That mark ranks in the 98th percentile among MLB hitters.

Defensively, Hicks has been an average catcher, which prompted the Marlins to give him more time at first base while promoting one of baseball's top catching prospects, Joe Mack.

Mack has held his own in 36 games, hitting .255 with three home runs and a .706 OPS while flashing Gold Glove-caliber defense.

Hicks has been a driving force behind a young Marlins team that has caught fire over the past few weeks and climbed back into playoff contention. Miami enters Sunday just one game out of the National League Wild Card race.

The Marlins last reached the postseason in 2023. With a young, hungry core and an intriguing pitching staff led by Sandy Alcantara and Max Meyer, Miami will likely be buyers at the August 3 trade deadline.

Still, losing Hicks creates a major hole in the lineup. If the Marlins want to keep their postseason push alive, other players will have to step up in the breakout star's absence.