Zach Neto looking to prove Marlins wrong in return home

[Kevin Barral]

Miami, Florida native and Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto talks to Fish On First about playing against his hometown team for the first time. 

MIAMI, FL— The Miami Marlins enter Tuesday night with an 0-5 record, but in the opposing dugout, the Los Angeles Angels are 2-2 and looking to get over .500. An integral piece to their team thus far is 23-year-old Miami native Zach Neto. The Coral Park High School product was called up last year to coincidentally face his hometown team in Anaheim, but this series marks his first time playing in loanDepot park as a big leaguer.

"I'm back where it all started," said Neto to the media on Monday prior to game one of the three-game set. "It's good to wake up this morning, see my family and be able to be here."

Selected with the 13th pick in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Neto was called up just a year after being drafted. He slashed .225/.308/.377/.685 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs as a rookie. In that same draft, the Marlins held the sixth overall pick. They passed on Neto, taking LSU third baseman Jacob Berry, who is currently at the Double-A level.

"It feels good," said Neto when asked about his quick career progression. "Being able to play here, it just shows a lot of hard work that I've been putting in my whole life growing up. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to play here for the Marlins, but I found a home somewhere else. Being able to bring that with me here, it's awesome."

Since Neto was drafted and Miguel Rojas was traded, the Marlins have had what feels like a revolving door at shortstop: Joey Wendle, Jacob Amaya, Jon Berti, Garrett Hampson and now Tim Anderson. On Tuesday, Amaya was designated for assignment by the club.

This was a series that Neto has been looking forward to. "Last year when I first got called up, finding out that we were playing the Marlins at our home was cool, but finding out this year that we were playing them here, especially early in the season, it was awesome."

In just the first game back, he had almost a full section of family and friends who came to see him. It was over 100 tickets he had to give out.

"I don't know the final number," said Neto, "but I heard it's a lot. They told me a certain section, so that section is dedicated to my family...but once the game starts, gotta lock in and focus on the game."

Does facing the Marlins motivate Neto to take his game to a new level?

"Definitely does," said Neto. "Kinda gives me a little edge knowing that passed on me in the draft, so they had their opportunity, they passed, so now I found a home somewhere else, so there's a little chip on my shoulder coming out here and proving what they missed out on."

Neto went 1-for-4 on Monday in the Angels' series-opening win. He is slashing .154/.214/.154/.368 with two RBIs so far this season.

In game two of the series, Neto is in the nine spot of the order as he looks to get to Marlins ace Jesús Luzardo, who has done well against the Angels in the past.

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[One Regend]

Zach Neto doesn't have to prove anything. The Marlins are already doing a pretty good job by themselves on that front by showcasing just how godawful of a team they are. They don't need his help.