Marlins Catchers Agustin Ramirez, Liam Hicks Master Replay Challenges

The Miami Marlins’ 2026 season is turning into a fascinating case study in catcher development. Agustín Ramírez and Liam Hicks are at the center of it all, and the club’s approach to the ABS replay system is shaping their at-bats, calls, and defensive growth in real time.

This piece digs into their progress, how Miami’s using challenges, and what the numbers actually say about these two behind the plate. The results are mixed, but there’s definitely something brewing.

ABS strategy and early outcomes

The Marlins have gone all-in on the ABS replay system. They’re tied for the most overturned calls (18) and lead MLB with 28 challenges. Usually, these come in high-pressure spots: two-strike counts, runners in scoring position, moments that feel like they could tip the game.

Ramírez, in particular, isn’t shy about tapping his helmet to challenge. He did it on a 94.8 mph four-seamer that just nicked the inside corner—what could’ve been a chase turned into a strikeout instead. That was one of Miami’s four ABS-assisted strikeouts so far.

Among catchers with at least nine challenges, Ramírez sits second in overturn percentage at 79% (11-for-14). He says he learned to trust the system back in Triple-A. Pitcher Janson Junk even went public with his praise for Ramírez’s feel for the zone, crediting the ABS for making the calls sharper and more impactful.

Of course, not every moment goes smoothly. In that same sequence, Ramírez got dinged for catcher’s interference when Dillon Dingler’s bat hit him as he rose to throw—what should’ve been an out turned into extra baserunners. Riley Greene followed with a three-run homer. Ouch.

Ramírez’s impact behind the plate and in the count

Ramírez’s bold use of ABS points to a bigger trend: catchers are more than just receivers now—they’re tactical partners, influencing the game’s pace and flow. The system doesn’t just affect balls and strikes; it changes how Ramírez frames pitches, works with pitchers, and challenges calls that can flip an inning.

He’s earning more trust in high-leverage moments. Still, every so often, a play like that interference reminds everyone there’s risk in having so much influence.

Defensive metrics and the evolving duo

Defensively, Ramírez and Hicks are still a work in progress. Last year, Ramírez led MLB in passed balls (19) and errors (10) with a -14 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rating. Hicks didn’t do much at the plate-blocking side and posted a 0 DRS.

This season, through 15 games, the pair have three errors and two passed balls. That’s a bit better, but there are still questions about durability and consistency with such a young catching group.

Dig into the numbers and you see more detail. Ramírez has bumped his DRS up to 1 and has thrown out two of 13 runners trying to steal. Hicks, meanwhile, is still at 0 DRS and hasn’t caught a base stealer yet, even though runners have tried 11 times against him.

It’s a shifting picture—Ramírez is showing progress in framing, throwing, and managing the game. Hicks is still finding his footing in blocking and the smaller defensive details.

• Ramírez: 1 DRS in 2026; 2 caught stealing thrown out (of 13)
• Hicks: 0 DRS in 2026; 0 caught stealers
• Combined 2026: 3 errors and 2 passed balls through 15 games

Coaching perspective and the road ahead

Manager Clayton McCullough has publicly praised both catchers for their blocking and accurate throwing. He also likes their growing confidence using ABS to influence counts and at-bats.

He sees their defensive development moving in the right direction. Ramírez and Hicks keep working on blocking angles, throw timing, and folding ABS-driven reads into their routine.

Sure, mistakes happen, but the club feels the trend is positive. Miami’s young backstop tandem looks like it’s heading toward steadier defense and better game-calling.

Ramírez’s high overturned-call rate and his defensive growth give some real reasons for optimism. Hicks, meanwhile, is still adjusting behind the plate, but he’s a vital part of Miami’s catching future.

The coaches keep pushing both catchers to use ABS-ready strategies more consistently. If they keep improving, maybe this duo becomes a cornerstone for the Marlins’ lineup by 2026—though, let’s be honest, it’s still a work in progress.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Marlins’ backstops working to master the art of the challenge