Jazz vs. Sandy highlights live batting practice as Marlins cap Week 1 of spring training
Jazz Chisholm Jr., as it is well known by now, is not one to back down from a challenge on the baseball field.
That’s why it’s no surprise that Chisholm was on the same field as Sandy Alcantara, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, when the Miami Marlins did their first round of live batting practice sessions on Sunday to close out their first week of spring training at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex.
The matchup between Chisholm and Alcantara — and, really, all the hitter-batter matchups — was brief. Each pitcher threw five or six pitches to each hitter per “at-bat.”
But when Alcantara was on the mound for his 10 minutes, a slew of pitchers and members of the organization watched from just beyond the field.
“It makes me feel really good,” Alcantara said. “I was part of them a couple years ago. I got to go outside and watch the older guys throw. It’s something that I’ve owned because the time that I have here and the progress, the discipline, the hard work and all that stuff. I love when they come outside and watch me do my job because they’re trying to learn something from me.”
How did Chisholm fare?
“No swings and misses,” Chisholm said. “That’s what I planned for the first day: No swings and misses today throughout.”
That’s fair, especially considering it’s the first time he has faced live hitters since late June, when he sustained a season-ending stress fracture in his lower back. Chisholm also knows it’s just the start of camp and he has about five more weeks to get his timing right at the plate ahead of Opening Day on March 30 against the New York Mets.
Chisholm wants to get as many reps against Miami’s top pitchers as possible.
“And especially to face Sandy” on the first day, Chisholm said. “That’s who I wanted to face. I want to face Eury [Perez], Sixto [Sanchez]. All of our big guys. I like to see what our guys have got.”
Spoiler alert: They have good stuff.
Miami’s rotation was one of the best in baseball last season, with a collective 3.70 ERA that ranked eighth-best in MLB.
Alcantara, who leads the group, is already in peak form.
Just ask some of the hitters who faced him on Sunday.
Like Chisholm.
“Sandy looks exactly like he always looks — like a Cy Young,” Chisholm said. “His stuff is electric. It’s nasty. He’s just having fun out there.”
Or Joey Wendle.
“He looks very sharp,” said Wendle, who gave an audible groan a couple hours earlier when he noticed the pitchers he would be facing on Sunday. “I saw five pitches off of him and I was taking three of them. But yeah. His stuff’s electric, even on the back field.”
Or Jon Berti.
“It can only get easier from here, right?” Berti said with a laugh. “He made some good pitches and that’s good see where he’s at already.”
As for how Alcantara felt on the mound?
“Everything was good,” Alcantara said.
Trevor Rogers, Jesus Luzardo, Tanner Scott, Steven Okert, JT Chargois, Andrew Nardi, George Soriano and Eli Villalobos threw live BP sessions on Sunday in addition to Alcantara.
With that, the real work has now officially begun.
The team’s first full-squad workout is on Tuesday and its first Grapefruit League game is at 6 p.m. Saturday against the Mets at Port St. Lucie’s Clover Field.
Topics of discussion
▪ Jazz Chisholm Jr. in center field: This will arguably be the biggest story line for the Marlins all spring training and all season. Chisholm had been working with outfielder coach Jon Jay for about a month before spring training. He reported to Jupiter on Monday — a week before required — and has been getting in regular defense work in group settings and off to the side.
▪ Skip Schumaker’s impact: How, exactly, will the first-year manager’s presence play a role in the Marlins’ season? So far, the team has been vocal on how his energy and charisma have left a positive impression on the clubhouse. Whether that, along with an improved roster, leads to results on the field will be seen in due time.
▪ Six-man rotation?: Both Schumaker and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. said they are open to the team using a six-man starting rotation if it makes sense and helps the Marlins win.
Health-permitting, four players should have their spots secured in the rotation in Alcantara, Johnny Cueto, Edward Cabrera and Luzardo. Lefties Rogers and Braxton Garrett are vying for the final spot if Miami uses a traditional five-man rotation.
Sanchez could be an option down the road if he is finally able to get over his shoulder issues that have kept him off the mound for two years.
Beyond them are top prospects Perez and Dax Fulton. Jake Eder, who missed the 2022 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, could be an option down the road. Daniel Castano and Bryan Hoeing further add depth.
▪ Bullpen roles: The Marlins have six players in a perfect scenario that they can use for high-leverage situations in lefties Scott, Okert and A.J. Puk as well as righties Dylan Floro, Matt Barnes and Chargois. Schumaker said he most likely won’t have a traditional closer, instead opting for the use-the-best-pitcher-against-the-best-hitters approach.
▪ Adapting to rule changes: The Marlins began using pitch clocks during practice on Saturday and will continue to throughout camp. The bigger bases are already on the back fields as well. How creative they attempt to get with the limited shifts will be something to watch as well.
Stories from this week
▪ Pitcher Eury Perez, the Marlins’ top prospect and a consensus top-15 prospect in all of baseball at 19 years old, spent the offseason training with Sandy Alcantara and feels he is ready for his MLB debut.
▪ Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. talks ‘unfinished business’ and all things Miami Marlins pitching.
▪ ‘I’ve been very fortunate’: Marlins’ Nic Enright staying upbeat despite cancer diagnosis.
▪ A past friendship helps Marlins reliever A.J. Puk get acclimated with his new team.
▪ Alcantara plans to continue leading by example.
▪ Will a full spring and more comfortability help catcher Jacob Stallings in Year 2 with Marlins?
▪ A Q&A with Marlins prospect Sean Reynolds, who’s thriving as a reliever after starting his pro ball career as a first baseman.
▪ Schumaker’s son Brody logged his first hit as a high school freshman on Saturday — and Schumaker had a proud dad moment as a result.
This story was originally published February 19, 2023 at 2:45 PM.
.JPG)