Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara threw three perfect innings against the Astros in spring training, showing elite form despite a hectic World Baseball Classic travel schedule.
The Miami Marlins saw exactly why Sandy Alcantara is still the most important pitcher on their staff during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.
Alcantara had a busy travel schedule because he was in the Dominican Republic as the World Baseball Classic looms, but he still pitched well and showed off his dedication and elite talent.
Alcantara pitched three perfect innings against Houston, getting out all nine batters he faced and striking out four of them. The Marlins' best pitcher only needed 43 pitches to finish his game, which helped him get ready for the upcoming international tournament and the MLB season.
The performance was even better because of the situation around it.
Alcantara flew back and forth between Florida and the Dominican Republic many times in the five days before he started. He left Marlins camp to take part in Dominican team activities in Miami. After that, he flew to Santo Domingo for practices and exhibition games against the Detroit Tigers. He then returned to Miami and then went back to Jupiter just in time for his spring-training start.
Alcantara looked completely focused on the mound, even though he said he hadn't had much sleep.
He quickly took control of the game, striking out Astros star José Altuve and then fighting through a 14-pitch at-bat against Isaac Paredes before finishing the inning with another strikeout. He had two more strikeouts by the third inning, showing he was in full control of his arsenal.
Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reported that Alcantara said all of his pitches felt sharp, especially his sweeper and fastball, and that he thinks the fastball is slowly getting back to where it used to be.
The outing was also a good sign after a not-so-great start to spring training earlier in camp. After months of offseason training, Alcántara's focus has been on getting his rhythm back and improving his mechanics.
Even though he was tired and had to travel, seeing their ace play at that level shows how important he will be in 2026.
Alcantara's commitment to playing for the Dominican Republic in the WBC while still doing his job in Miami shows he is a leader in the organization. The right-handed pitcher is expected to start for the Team DR against Venezuela on March 11, during the group stage of the tournament at loanDepot Park.
Based on how he played on Thursday, Alcantara is quickly getting back into shape. And that's exactly what the Marlins need as the season gets closer.
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