JONESBORO, Ark. (10/22/26) – Former Arkansas State star catcher and Tampa Bay Rays starter Liam Hicks continues to make history as the first player to represent Arkansas State in the World Series.

Hicks, the first Red Wolf to appear in the MLB postseason, continues his run with the Rays all the way to the fall classic after joining Tampa Bay via a trade from the Miami Marlins on August 3, and continued to produce for the Rays.

Hicks was drafted in the 9th round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Texas Rangers, then made his MLB debut on March 28, 2025 for the Miami Marlins. In his rookie season, Hicks played in 119 games with a .247 batting average and 45 RBIs. This season, Hicks contributed with a .284 batting average for 82 RBIs with 18 home runs across 142 games with the Marlins and Rays. A reliable eye offensively, Hicks sits in the 98th percentile in whiff rate, and 97th percentile in strikeout rate from data provided by Baseball Savant. Hicks clinched the final out to win the AL pennant for the Rays with a foul out behind home plate on October 19 in front of the home crowd.

Joining the Red Wolves from Toronto, Ontario, by way of Mineral Area Community College, Hicks played his sophomore and junior seasons in Jonesboro, earning national recognition in his 2021 campaign, including being named to the 2021 Buster Posey Award Watch List, and the number 23 player in D1 Baseball’s Top-100 Draft-Eligible Hitters.

Hicks was one of the most prolific hitters in his junior season, reaching base in all but two games, batting .344 with a .548 slugging average to total 54 hits, 36 runs, and 30 RBIs, with 11 doubles and seven home runs.

Hicks is set to face off Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m. against the Milwaukee Brewers in game one of the World Series in Milwaukee.

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