ASG election just the beginning for Alcantara

CLEVELAND -- After arriving in Cleveland on Sunday night, Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara already finds himself fitting in with some of the biggest names in the Major Leagues.

The Marlins lone representative at the Midsummer Classic at Cleveland’s Progressive Field, Alcantara is one of the promising young starters representing the National League.

For the next couple of days, the lanky right-hander will have an opportunity to further bond with his NL teammates, as well as meet the top players from the American League.

• All-Star Game presented by Mastercard: Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX

“We’re all here,” Alcantara said Monday during his media availability. “There’s a lot of really good players here. Hopefully, in the next couple of days, we can share some memories together and have good conversation.”

Tonight, Alcantara may get his chance to showcase his abilities in front of world-wide audience. If he does, the rest of the sport will see what Marlins’ fans are used to, a power fastball and an imposing presence on the mound.

Even if he isn’t yet a household name around the Majors, Alcantara has long been making a name for himself while growing up in the Dominican Republic.

In fact, when he was a touted prospect with the Cardinals, the 6-foot-4, 170-pounder had already caught the attention of a Hall of Fame pitcher.

Pedro Martinez, an all-time great, and Alcantara’s favorite player growing up, was at a charity event several years ago in the Dominican Republic. Alcantara was also there and he had a chance to speak to his childhood idol. During a brief conversation, he received some words of encouragement.

“He said, ‘You've got a good arm. You've got to keep throwing,’” Alcantara said. “He said, ‘You're throwing well. Keep the faith and keep working hard.’”

Alcantara took Martinez’s words to heart, and he has developed into a first-time NL All-Star in his first full big league season.

To the Marlins, Alcantara is just scratching the surface of what he can become.

“With Sandy, you see the size,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “You see the raw ability and his pitch package. You see the potential. That's what we identified when we started those [trade] conversations. We felt like this was an arm that could pitch at the front of the rotation.”

The strength of the Marlins’ organization is starting pitching depth that is being developed up and down the organization. Alcantara is the first of the group to achieve All-Star status.

Alcantara, 23, from Azua, Dominican Republic, was a centerpiece in the Marcell Ozuna trade with St. Louis at the 2017 Winter Meetings. Miami acquired Alcantara, along with right-hander Zac Gallen, outfielder Magneuris Sierra and lefty Daniel Castano.

Alcantara’s pro career started in 2013 when he signed with the Cardinals for $125,000. His MLB debut came late in the '17 season, when he made eight relief appearances. With the Marlins in '18, he was 2-3 with a 3.44 ERA in six starts, and he spent most of the season at Triple-A New Orleans.

The Marlins are in the second year of their rebuilding process, and the young club has endured its ups and downs. So has Alcantara.

Still developing, Alcantara has performed better than traditional numbers indicate. He has gone 4-8 with a 3.82 ERA in 17 starts. In 101 1/3 innings, he has 70 strikeouts, 47 walks and a 1.40 WHIP.

Advanced metrics, however, paint a better picture of Alcantara's upside. His average four-seam fastball velocity, according to Statcast, is 95.5 mph, which places him in the 83rd percentile in the Majors. And his hard-hit percentage -- all balls put in play -- is 31.9 percent, below the MLB average (34.4 percent).

Alcantara also has the lone complete game by a Marlins starter this season. It came on May 19, a two-hit shutout against the Mets.

“The biggest thing is probably the maturity and confidence,” Marlins pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. said. “He has a little better feel when he gets into damage [situations], damage innings, where in the past, it might have had the opportunity to spiral. But he's kept things in check.”

As an organization, the Marlins want Alcantara to savor the All-Star experience, while also understanding that he belongs with the best in the game.

“I really want him to watch those guys who have been around and take notice,” Stottlemyre said. “They're all different with how they do it. With the command of their stuff and controlling sequences and counts, and having the ability to make pitches. Sandy has the stuff to be in that group.”

A year ago, Alcantara split time between New Orleans and Miami. He’s made tremendous strides on the mound this season, and he has acclimated to the big leagues. He’s conducting media interviews entirely in English, though when necessary, he will get assistance from the team interpreter.

“It’s amazing,” Alcantara said of how far he’s come in a year. “In my first full year, to go to the All-Star Game, I feel blessed. God gave me the opportunity. My team gave me the opportunity. I'm going there to represent my team.”