The Hidden Strength That Could Define the Marlins' Future

For a franchise that has often struggled to find long-term solutions behind the plate, the Miami Marlins suddenly find themselves in an unfamiliar—yet desirable—position: they have multiple catchers who appear MLB-ready.

Let that sink in.

For years, the Marlins have cycled through a revolving door of backstops, rarely finding both defensive stability and offensive promise at the same time. Now, they have four legitimate options in the system who could hold their own at the big-league level: Nick Fortes, Liam Hicks, Joe Mack, and Agustín Ramírez.

Nick Fortes is the most well-known, steady behind the plate, respected by the pitching staff, and a plus defender. His ability to handle a staff is a valuable asset, especially for a team still trying to figure out its long-term rotation. But the bat has still lagged in recent memory. If Fortes can continue to swing it well offensively, he has the upper hand in holding onto the starting job or being one of the first in mind to DH.

Then there's Liam Hicks, the sleeper of the group. He is not flashy, but he's incredibly efficient behind the plate and at the dish. He gets on base, works counts, and has a reputation for managing a game like a veteran. The Marlins picked him up this past offseason via the Rule 5 Draft, allowing Hicks to have the ability to stay on the Marlins roster for the entire season.

If a team decides not to keep a player they select in the draft on their active roster for the entire season, their original team is given the opportunity to purchase them back for $25,000 (MLB.com). So far, the move might pay off bigger than expected, which was a huge factor in why Miami is keeping him around.

Joe Mack is the most highly regarded prospect in this group, having been selected by the Marlins in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft. After a slow start to his professional career, Mack has found his rhythm—earning a promotion to Triple-A Jacksonville. His left-handed bat adds much-needed balance to the lineup, and defensively, he’s made significant strides, shedding the label of being “a few years away.” His arrival in the big leagues may be just around the corner.

Then there’s Agustín Ramírez, acquired at the MLB Trade Deadline from the New York Yankees in the deal that sent Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Bronx. Ramírez may have the highest ceiling of the group. The 23-year-old brings legitimate power potential and has impressed at both the minor and major league levels. His pitch framing continues to improve, and with every start behind the plate, he’s making it increasingly difficult for the Marlins to justify sending him back to Triple-A.

In a league where most teams scramble to find just one serviceable catcher, Miami has four. It's not just depth–it's competition for a spot on the ball club, and that's a great problem to have. Whether they trade from surplus or ride the wave of internal development, the Marlins are finally in a good position behind the plate.