Saturday, April 2, 2022

Spring Training Focus, Sandy Alcantara

 BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

The Miami Marlins announced prior to their Spring Training game vs the Washington Nationals that Sandy Alcantara will be the Opening Day Starter for the third consecutive season.

In 2021, Alcantara posted a 9-15 record with a 3.19 ERA in 33 games, 33 games started with a 205.2 innings pitched, 201 strikeouts, 50 walks and one complete game.

When you talk about velocity, the 2019 All-Star throws 93-98 MPH and maxes out around 100 MPH. He uses both a four-seam fastball and a sinker. His secondary pitches are a change-up (89 MPH) slider (86 MPH) and curveball (82 MPH).

The 6-5, 200 pound right-handed hurler got some job security during the off-season as the Marlins signed Alcantara to a contract extension worth $56 Million. His contract broke the record for a pitcher under team control with less than four years service time set by Carlos Martinez.

The 2022 season will experience a lot of changes. 

But two changes that effect pitchers the most include Spring Training which was shortened to three weeks and the implementation of the Universal Designated Hitter. 

During the Marlins pregame availability, I had the opportunity to ask Alcantara about both of these developments.

The Marlins Game vs the Nationals was rained out.

The Marlins final Spring Training Game is against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, April 5 at 11:05 AM.

They’ll head out West for Opening Day as they face the San Francisco Giants on Friday, April 8 at 4:35 PM.

They’ll face the Giants for three games then travel to Anaheim and face the LA Angels for a pair of inter league games on Monday April 11 and Tuesday April 12.

The Philadelphia Phillies and Bryce Harper visit Loan Depot Park for Opening Day on Thursday, April 14 and conclude the four-game series on Sunday, April 17.

Former Marlin Lewis Brinson was designated for assignment by the Houston Astros Saturday. In parts of five seasons in the majors, Brinson has a .199 average.

Scott Morganroth can be at southfloridatribune@gmail.com and you can watch his broadcasts by Subscribing to the South Florida Tribune You Tube Channel at no charge.


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