Alcantara shines in second spring start, toys with ABS challenge system

JUPITER, FL—With the help of two successful challenges that turned balls into strikes, Sandy Alcantara impressed on Friday afternoon in his second start of the spring. Prospect Robby Snelling struggled and was unable to complete his two innings of work. The Marlins' offense didn't record a hit until the bottom of the seventh inning. The Atlanta Braves won by a final score of 7-2.

Alcantara went two full innings, allowing two hits, no walks and striking out three. Alcantara threw his changeup, slider and sinker, but went fastball heavy, throwing it 60% of the time. The fastball averaged 99.1 mph, which would've been a career high in the majors. He topped out at 100.4 mph. When asked if he could feel when he's throwing that hard, his answer was a simple "yes."

"I know when I gotta throw hard," Alcantara said. "I gotta make my body work a little bit more, but today everything felt good. My arm was good out there and I just want to show people I'm healthy and I can throw hard."

For the first time this spring, Alcantara experimented with the ABS challenge system which is being implemented into spring training games. In the top of the first inning, Alcantara challenged ball four on Sean Murphy. After further review, the call was overturned and ruled a strikeout. His second challenge when facing José Devers in the following inning was also overturned. Having gone a perfect 2-for-2 on the day, Alcantara was in favor of the system.

"I think it's gonna be great, especially for the pitchers," said Alcantara regarding the challenge system. "When you know where you throw the ball and when you think that ball is a strike, just challenge it like I did today and I won both challenges."

Throughout all of spring, Rule 5 selection Liam Hicks has caught Alcantara's bullpens and both games he's started. The Marlins' ace praised Hicks for the work he's done behind the plate.

"I think we are on the same page," said Alcantara. "We're working together. He looks very good behind the plate. What I don't like is he always comes to me and ask me questions because I don't like to talk [laughing], but he's good. He's good behind the plate and I like the way that he caught my game."

Hicks, who has never played above Double-A, is now in spring training catching the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner. Alcantara believes that Hicks is major league-ready and "the way that he looks, I think he's gonna be there (on the Opening Day roster)."

After an encouraging seven-pitch outing last weekend, Robby Snelling was expected to go two innings, but struggled, only recording two outs and walking four. A lot of the lefty's struggles were due to him missing to his arm side. One positive was that his new gyro slider looked good. His only strikeout of the afternoon came in the top of the third inning. Sean Murphy swung at a 95 mph fastball.

"Got those days sometimes that stuff's not working," said Snelling. "Body felt good, felt like I was holding velo well in the first inning and stuff just wasn't going in the zone. Trying to figure stuff out in the second inning, didn't feel like I was trying to place the ball or anything, but trying to focus a little more on getting it to where I want to throw it. Misses weren't quite as bad, but they were still arm side, so super frustrated with it."

Notes

- Jesús Sánchez, who was dealing with left elbow inflammation, was in right field for the first time this spring. He went 0-for-2. 

- In the bottom of the eighth inning, Marlins infield prospect Jack Winkler hit a solo home run.

- Edward Cabrera will be the starting pitcher on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

- Lefty Justin King suffered a left adductor strain.

- Jakob Marsee (oblique strain) is resuming baseball activities. He's throwing and hitting.

- Andrew Nardi (back inflammation) has resumed throwing.

- Freddy Tarnok rolled his left ankle. He should be returning to game action in about two weeks.

What's Next

The Marlins make the 20-minute drive on Saturday to West Palm Beach as they take on the Washington Nationals. Ryan Weathers will make his first start of the spring. First pitch is at 6:05 pm.