September 4, 2024

By Tyson Shushkewich

Canadian Baseball Network

After another strong week at the plate, Liam Hicks has been named the Canadian Baseball Network minor league Player of the Week for the second time this season.

The Toronto native is the first player to do so while representing two different organizations – as the left-handed hitting catcher was dealt at the trade deadline by the Texas Rangers to the Detroit Tigers as part of the package for Carson Kelly.

Hicks has settled in nicely with the Tigers’ double-A Erie SeaWolves.

In five games between August 19 and August 25, Hicks went 8-for-18 (.444 batting average) and led all Canadians with eight hits and 12 total bases. He also added two runs, three RBIs and six walks in a six-game series against the double-A Bowie Baysox (Baltimore Orioles’ affiliate). For his efforts, he has claimed CBN Player of the Week honours for a second time this season.

With the SeaWolves in Bowie, Md., to face the Baysox, Erie was looking to improve upon their 62-49 record with just a handful of games left in the season.

Working in the DH spot for the Tuesday night contest, Hicks did more damage with his plate discipline than his bat. He amassed three walks while also producing a single in the top of the seventh to drive in a run to tie the game at six. He would also score a run.

For the second game of the series, Hicks moved behind the plate and went 2-for-5. His first hit came in the top of the fourth inning when he singled to centre field. He later singled to left field in the sixth inning.

Back in the DH spot and batting cleanup for the next game, Hicks produced a hit and a walk in the SeaWolves’ loss to the Baysox. The Toronto Mets alum would draw a leadoff walk in the top of the sixth but would be stranded on first base. To make things interesting in the ninth, with his team down by two runs, Hicks singled up the middle to move the runner to second base for his lone hit on the evening. With two outs, Hicks was pinch run for, but to no avail, the SeaWolves lost 5-3.

Slotting back into the backstop position on August 23, Hicks had two hits - including a home run - and a walk. His homer was a two-run, first-inning blast over the right centre field wall. He would also line a single to centre in the top of the fifth and walk in the seventh.

To round out the week, Hicks was back behind the plate for the Saturday afternoon contest to catch Tigers’ top prospect Jackson Jobe. He added two more hits and another walk in the contest. He led off the top of the second with a double to centre field and added a single to centre in the ninth.

2024 CBN minor league Player of the Week Winners

Opening Day to May 6 – LHP Matt Wilkinson (Ladner, BC), Guardians.

May 7- May 12 – INF Charles LeBlanc (Laval, Que.), Angels.

May 13- May 19 – RHP Adam Maier (North Vancouver, BC), Braves.

May 20- May 26 – INF Trei Cruz (Toronto, Ont.), Tigers.

May 27 – June 2 – RHP Lucas Wepf (Georgetown, Ont.), Dodgers.

June 3 – June 9 – C/DH Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.), Rangers.

June 10 – June 16 – OF Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.), Athletics.

June 17 – June 23 – OF Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.), Athletics.

June 24 – June 30 – RHP Jonah Tong (Markham, Ont.), Mets.

July 1 – July 7 – OF Denzel Clarke (Pickering, Ont.), Athletics.

July 8 – July 14 – LHP Matt Wilkinson (Ladner, BC), Guardians.

July 15 – July 21 – OF Jordan Nwogu (Ottawa, Ont.), Cubs

July 22 – July 28 – LHP Mitch Bratt (Newmarket, Ont.), Rangers

July 29 – August 4 – LHP Matt Wilkinson (Ladner, BC), Guardians.

August 5 – August 11 – RHP Matt Duffy (Toronto, Ont.), Red Sox.

August 12 – August 18 – LHP Kyle Carr (San Marcos, Calif.), Yankees

August 19 – August 25 – C/DH Liam Hicks (Toronto, Ont.), Tigers

Top Canadian Minor League Performances for August 19 to August 25 (Stats Compiled by Pete Berryman)

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