MIAMI -- Sporting one of MLB’s best farm systems, the Marlins feel they are an organization with a bright future. Many of the top prospects, and young core players, are expected to get valuable experience in the 60-game 2020 season.

By 2021, another wave of prospects could be on the brink of reaching the big leagues. When they are ready, they now know who and when they will play.

MLB on Thursday released the 2021 schedule, and the Marlins will be playing the AL East in Interleague Play.

Right from the start, Miami will be tested against its intrastate rival. The Marlins are scheduled to face the Rays at Marlins Park for Opening Day on April 1.

After facing the Rays for three games, the Marlins wrap up their initial six-game homestand by taking on the Cardinals (April 5-7).

As part of the 2021 campaign, the Yankees will be at Marlins Park, July 30-Aug. 1. The Orioles (April 20-21) and Blue Jays (June 22-23) also are on tap to visit Miami. The Marlins will travel to Boston (May 28-30), Toronto (June 1-2) and Baltimore (July 27-28).

The Marlins will complete their home-and-home Citrus Series against the Rays at Tropicana Field (Sept. 24-26).

Closing out 2021, the Marlins will play host to the Phillies (Oct. 1-3).

Prospect power
A couple of top prospects showed some power in Thursday’s simulated scrimmage. Lewin Díaz and Monte Harrison, ranked as the Marlins’ seventh and ninth prospects by MLB Pipeline (respectively), each connected for home runs off left-hander Caleb Smith.

Díaz, a left-handed hitter, turned on Smith for a home run to right-center.

Harrison’s blast was a no-doubter to left field. A few days ago in batting practice, Harrison also homered off Smith.

“The two days that he’s faced me, he’s done well against me,” Smith said. “He’s got me twice. That’s the first time I’ve seen him play. I haven’t seen him in a game yet.”

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Harrison played right field in the first inning, and Díaz is a first baseman. But in the simulated scrimmage, there were innings with no outfielders and other innings with just infielders.

Of the two prospects, Harrison is considered to have the better chance of making the Opening Day roster.

Díaz started off Summer Camp working out with prospects at the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex in Jupiter, while Harrison started off at Marlins Park.

Smith settles in, grows out
Caleb Smith wasn’t quite himself in Thursday’s scrimmage, which ended in a 3-3 tie.

The left-hander battled with a stiff neck, which made it difficult for him to pick up catcher Francisco Cervelli’s signs, as well as command the strike zone.

“I woke up with a crick in my neck this morning, so I was battling through that,” Smith said. “I can’t really look over my right shoulder, so I couldn’t pick up the catcher. My command was everywhere today. So I just had to battle through that.”

After allowing the two home runs, Smith settled into a groove. He allowed the solo homer to Díaz in the first inning and the two-run shot to Harrison in the second.

Smith didn’t allow a run in the third and fourth innings, and he started the fifth before giving way to Sterling Sharp.

In the first week of Summer Camp, Smith has been matched with Sandy Alcantara, the expected Opening Day starter.

Another change since Spring Training ended in mid-March is Smith now sports a long beard, and his hair has grown out.

“I’m definitely keeping it for the season,” Smith said of the beard. “I haven’t been to see a barber, obviously. My hair is a bit long and out of control. I think I’m going to keep it, as long as they let me.”

Blue vs. White
The Blue team was the visitors, and they faced Alcantara, who started for the White jerseys. In the first inning, the Blue batting order was Jonathan Villar, Corey Dickerson and Harold Ramirez.

Alcantara gave up two runs in five innings with seven strikeouts.

Smith started for the Blue squad, and in the first inning, he faced the prospects -- Harrison, Jesús Sánchez and Díaz. Later in the scrimmage, second baseman Isan Díaz also played for White.

Brandon Kintzler, Sharp, Drew Steckenrider and Brad Boxberger each threw in relief.