Marlins letting the kids play … literally

This story was excerpted from Christina De Nicola’s Marlins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

JUPITER, Fla. -- On the backfields of the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex, future Major Leaguers are developing. No, I'm not talking about top prospects.

Days before the Marlins' first full-squad workout, Jorge Soler found some downtime to throw to his 8-year-old son, Joley, in between cage work and outfield drills.

"It's the best time of my life being able to bring him here, share time with big leaguers in the cage, learning the game that I love," Soler said via interpreter Luis Dorante Jr. "It's one of the greatest times. I'm pretty sure he doesn't realize it right now, but in the future, once he goes back and sees people he was hanging out with, [he'll say], 'My dad was able to take me there.' That's what I want. Those memories for him to have."

Former Marlins outfielder Juan Pierre wasn't afforded that opportunity, since three of his four sons were born after his 14-year MLB career ended in 2013. But Pierre has made a habit of bringing his oldest two -- Joshua (11) and Jonathan (8) -- during the early stages of Spring Training when he stops by as a guest instructor.

"You've always seen teammates bringing their kids around, and it's a real father-son sport," Pierre said. "The Marlins have let them come in -- not disrupt anything -- but come in and let them watch to see how big leaguers go about their business. It's really good."

Pierre remembers former manager Don Mattingly telling him kids soaked up everything like a sponge. When Joley launched a pitch from his dad, Jazz Chisholm Jr. compared the swing to Soler's 2021 World Series Game 6 homer.

"The guys are just awesome with them," Pierre said. "I think when they see them, it reminds them it's a kids' game. As you know, it's a business here, and you get bogged down. But when you see a kid, 'Oh, I remember those days.' You just played to have fun, so I think it breaks it up for them a little bit."

It's an atmosphere new manager Skip Schumaker hopes to cultivate. Since his two kids, Brody and Presley, are home in Southern California, he had to watch his son's first hit at the junior varsity high school level on video.

"It's important to be present," Schumaker said. "I've told this coaching staff, 'If your kids call, pick up.' Unless it's a team meeting, they need to know that you're there for them. FaceTime has been gold."