Alfaro making his mark on Marlins with power

August 28th, 2019
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MIAMI -- At a time when the losses are mounting, the Marlins continue to do plenty of evaluating. The organization is getting a clearer picture that has the makings to be its starting catcher for the foreseeable future.

Alfaro blistered yet another home run, his third in his last three starts, on Tuesday. His two-run blast in the sixth inning had an exit velocity of 110.7 mph, with an estimated distance of 399 feet, according to Statcast.

The homer to left field was another reminder of Alfaro’s vast power potential, but it was not enough to turn the tables on the Reds. Nick Senzel and Eugenio Suarez each belted two-run homers, and Luis Castillo fanned 11 in six innings to hand the Marlins an 8-5 loss at Marlins Park.

“When he doesn't chase, he's pretty good,” Miami manager Don Mattingly said. “When he puts the ball in play -- we've said it the whole time -- he hits the ball hard. He's been successful. I think that's where we've got to make strides.”

Alfaro is now hitting .271 with a .429 slugging percentage, with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs.

“I'm just trying to be on time,” Alfaro said. “That's it. That's all I'm trying to do, and look for a good pitch.”

Alfaro, acquired from the Phillies in the J.T. Realmuto trade in February, has 14 homers this year. That’s the ninth-most homers by a Marlins catcher in a season. Realmuto set the franchise season mark with 21 in 2018. John Buck (‘11), Miguel Olivo (‘06, ‘07) and Ivan Rodriguez (‘03) are tied for the fifth most with 16.

With Alfaro, his success largely comes down to making contact. He entered the night with a 34.3 percent strikeout rate. Alfaro also has a 45.5 hard-hit percentage, which, according to Statcast, is in the 86th percentile.

“He's been swinging the bat good,” Mattingly said. “He seems better up there.”

Marlins lefty Caleb Smith worked 4 2/3 innings, giving up five runs, including the first-inning blast to Suarez. Cincinnati has claimed the first two in the four-game series, and it is 5-0 vs. Miami in the season series.

“It's hard to go deep in games when you throw 30 pitches in an inning,” Smith said. “I threw 103 pitches in 4 2/3, that's unacceptable.”

The Marlins had chances, and they tied the game at 2 in the first inning on rookie 's two-run double. But on the play, he was lulled into thinking he could stand up for a triple by Suarez at third base. Diaz missed third-base coach Fredi Gonzalez’s signal to slide, and he was tagged out.

“I just think he got a little bit schooled,” Mattingly said. “Just not paying attention to the coach and telling you what to do, instead of watching the third baseman, who is on the other team.”

Alfaro’s two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored, along with ’s three hits, were among the highlights for Miami. But overall, it wasn’t a crisp performance.

“It was a really frustrating game to watch,” Mattingly said. “We did a lot of things badly. It was surprising we were in the game. We had a couple of runs early. It just felt sloppy. A lot of mistakes.”

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Joe Frisaro covered the Marlins for MLB.com from 2002-20.