Canadians Lopez, Hicks and Caissie leading Marlins’ offence

TORONTO — The middling Miami Marlins departed Toronto with back-to-back losses against the Blue Jays, but their three Canadians left an impression.

Otto Lopez enjoyed a four-hit game in the 2-1 defeat in the series finale against the Blue Jays (27-29). Liam Hicks continues to lead Miami (26-31) with 44 RBIs and 11 homers. Owen Caissie knocked in two runs in the Marlins’ series-opening 8-2 victory on Monday.

“It’s been a really exciting time for us,” the Dominican Republic-born, Montreal-raised Lopez said. “Earlier, we were hitting four, five and six. But I’ve hit behind Liam in the third spot, and it’s been fun watching him, and Owen, too.”

Lopez, a 27-year-old shortstop, was once a Blue Jays prospect. But Toronto gave up on him to make a roster spot for pitcher Yariel Rodriguez in 2024.

It was a mistake, because Lopez leads Major League Baseball with 75 hits, a .342 average and 22 multi-hit outings.

Lopez praised the Marlins staff for setting a plan for the three Canadians to improve this year, and he has received kind words in return.

“I’m running out of superlatives for Otto,” said Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, who has a touch of Canadiana in him after steering the class-A Vancouver Canadians to back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.

“He’s got enough bump that he can threaten a gap and hit the occasional home run. He runs well enough to scratch out some infield hits. He puts the ball in play. He can hit the ball to all fields, and he’s really taken some steps forward.

“I also think he has a lot of room to grow. If Otto can continue to clean up some of his chase, his empty swings, he’s only going to get better.”

Hicks started the season with a bang at the plate. The former catcher with the amateur Toronto Mets, now 26, went 7-for-15 with three homers and 12 RBIs in the first five games. It was a club record start for RBIs and a Canadian record, edging out Larry Walker’s 11 to begin 1997.

“Liam was a good hitter last year,” McCullough said. “We really liked his ability to make a ton of contact, control the strike zone, thought that with some improved physicality and him getting the ball in the air a little more and a bit more power, and Liam has done that certainly this year.”

The three played for Canada in its quarterfinal run at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Although Hicks didn’t play much in the tournament, Otto and Caissie received a boost entering the season.

“We’re just trying to keep the good times rolling,” said the 23-year-old Caissie of Burlington, Ont.

He did not play in the middle game of the Blue Jays series, but was able to catch up with friends and former teammates from his days with the Fieldhouse Pirates.

“I love being back home,” said Caissie, who had a chance to catch up with Oshawa’s Chris Kemlo, the San Diego Padres scout who signed the outfielder. “It’s just really nice to see family and friends. Honestly, it’s a pretty emotional time for me.”

It was Hicks’ first time playing at Rogers Centre.

“For me, your first time happens only once,” Hicks said. “So it’s special. Yeah, it’s a business trip, but it’s a long season. You have to just enjoy it and see your family and friends.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2026.

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press