Miami Marlins Ace Sandy Alcantara Seemingly From Another Era

Sandy Alcantara, it seems, is almost from another time.

In an era when most starting pitchers aren’t allowed to go more than two times through the batting order, the Miami Marlins ace routinely works into the late innings. At a time when complete games are seemingly as rare as inside-the-park grand slams, Alcantara’s goal is to pitch nine innings every time he takes the mound.

While throwback is a term that tends to be overused in sports, it certainly fits for Alcantara.

Alcantara has pitched 149 1/3 innings this season, which is 16 2/3 more than anyone else in the major leagues. The Philadelphia Phillies’ Aaron Nola is next with 132 2/3.

Alcantara made 13 straight starts of seven or more innings from May 11-July 15, tying the Marlins’ record set by Carl Pavano in 2004.

Alcantara has pitched at least eight innings in nine starts. Nola is second in that category with four and no team has notched as many as the 26-year-old Alcantara.

But Alcantara is more than just a workhorse. He’s also very good as evidenced by the oddsmakers tabbing him as the favorite to become the first Marlins pitcher ever to win a National League Cy Young Award.

Despite allowing four runs in five innings in a loss to the New York Mets on Friday, Alcantara is 9-4 with a league-leading 1.99 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 21 starts.

“What he’s done, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Marlins catcher Jacob Stallings said. “You can’t equate what he’s doing really to anyone.

“Maybe he’s a bit like (Los Angeles Angels pitcher/designated Shohei) Ohtani in the way all major league players are in awe of what he does. It’s kind of the same thing with what Sandy is doing. What he’s doing is incredible and other players are in awe of how he is giving you seven, eight, nine innings pretty much every time out. You just don’t see pitchers like that.”

Marlins rookie left-hander Braxton Garrett has a chance to watch Alcantara every day, both on and off the mound. He knows the keys to his teammate’s success are good old-fashioned hard work and level-headedness.

“What I tell people all the time is what Sandy does on the field is incredible,” Garett said. “He’s dominant, he’s a horse, he eats innings. But what I learn and take form him is he’s a killer on the mound but he’ll show up the next day after nine shutties (shutout innings) and he’s right back to work.

“He’s never too high, never too low. He keeps the same attitude all the time and it’s impressive. He’s the same guy every day.”

And a guy to whom the Marlins have made a long-term commitment.

Alcantara is the first season of a five-year, $56-million contract that is guaranteed through 2026 and includes a $21-million team option for 2027. The deal bought out all three years in which he was eligible for salary arbitration as well as the first two seasons after he would have become eligible for free agency.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly certainly believes the contract is a good investment. Alcantara not only provided ace-caliber performances at the top of the rotation but his ability to pitch many innings lightens the workload for the bullpen.

“It’s pretty simple, his stuff is really good,” Mattingly said when asked what helps Alcantara log so many innings. “His fastball is anywhere from 96-100 (mph). He has multiple pitches he can get you out with. It’s an easy kind of effort with his delivery. That’s why he’s able to do what he’s doing.

“He has that four-pitch mix. Even on days when not all of his pitches are working, he’s able to lean on a couple of pitches to get him through games and get a lot of quick outs for the most part. He’s just really good.”