Captain's Camp laying foundation for future

JUPITER, Fla. -- As the Marlins embark on a new beginning under new ownership and leadership, the foundation of expectations is being ingrained into two dozen young players at "Captain's Camp."
Under the supervision of Marlins vice president of player development and scouting Gary Denbo, the camp is a three-week orientation program outlying organizational standards.
Respect, accountability and being a good teammate are among the messages repeatedly being spoken daily.
"When they leave here, when they graduate from this camp, the expectations are high for these guys, and we expect them to take a leadership role in the clubhouses they go to, at whatever affiliate they start at, and even at the Major League level," Denbo said. "Their managers and coaches are going to know that these guys have been through this process and have a clear understanding of what it takes to become a championship-type player."
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The camp started days before Spring Training opened and runs through Feb. 28. It involves workouts and meetings, which include guest speakers. Marlins manager Don Mattingly and former Major Leaguers Juan Pierre, Mike Lowell and Alfonso Soriano have already spoken to the players.
"It's a beginning of leadership that you're asking guys to play with," Mattingly said. "Accountability. We talk about, when a guy is coming into our system, no matter if it's A ball or whatever, you want them to know what the expectations are. If a guy knows this is what is expected of you, it's a lot easier to get guys on board with where you're going."
Participants range from Rookie League to the big leagues.
"That's the expectations of these guys going forward," Denbo said. "They're going to not only be held accountable for being a professional every day and preparing and competing the right way every day, but they're also going to be expected to hold their teammates accountable for doing things the right way."

Denbo introduced Captain's Camp when he was with the Yankees, and he's now unveiling it in Miami. The beliefs being expressed to the Marlins' players mirror the image Derek Jeter, the Marlins' new chief executive officer, displayed when he was captain of the Yankees.
"There is some brainwashing going on here," Denbo said. "Every speaker that has come in so far has mentioned the word respect, mentioned the word accountability -- mentioned about being a good teammate and about treating other people fairly. I love that our players are hearing those words."
Some of the participants who have been juggling Captain's Camp and big league camp are pitching prospects Trevor Richards, Nick Neidert, Zac Gallen and Jordan Yamamoto.

Since Spring Training started on Wednesday, the four have still attended Captain's Camp meetings -- if there aren't any big league camp conflicts.
"The guys in that room in that camp right now are what they think is the future," Richards said. "They expect you to take what you learn in that camp and take it to each affiliate that you go to."
The Marlins open full-squad workouts on Monday, and a couple more Captain's Camp members will be in big league camp, including outfielder Monte Harrison and infielder Isan Díaz. According to MLB Pipeline, Harrison is Miami's No. 2 prospect, and Diaz is ninth.
"We have a lot of young guys in camp, moreso than in the past when I was with the Yankees," Denbo said. "This is a group that I like a lot. We have a lot of good young players here, athletic players with potential. I think this is the start of building the core group of players that hopefully competes for championships here over the next several years."

Before Spring Training started in Jupiter, Captain's Camp was held one day in Miami at Marlins Park.
"They definitely hold us to a higher standard," Neidert said. "They're basically laying the foundation of, 'Hey, this is what we expect from you guys. We want you to go out there and lead by example, and what you're learning in this camp.'"