When trading for prospects, it usually takes a few seasons to get an indication of how the deal is panning out.

Three years after moving All-Star outfielder Marcell Ozuna to the Cardinals, the Marlins are liking their return in what was at the time a criticized deal.

In December 2017, Miami acquired right-handers Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen, plus left-hander Daniel Castano and outfielder Magneuris Sierra for Ozuna, who is now with the Braves.

In Saturday’s 8-4 loss to the Mets, Castano made his MLB debut. The 25-year-old was the last of the four in the trade to reach the big leagues.

Even though Castano picked up the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) in 4 1/3 innings, he showed he could have a role as starting-pitching depth.

To get that from a former 19th-rounder from Baylor University in 2016 is a good return.

“I've got to work harder this week,” Castano said. “That's kind of been what's gotten me here, hard work. As a 19th-rounder, no one thought I should be here. I try to outwork people and do my best. That's really my motto right there.”

The headliner of the Ozuna trade obviously is Alcantara, an All-Star last year and Miami’s Opening Day starter this year.

Alcantara is on the injured list, but in the opener, he was magnificent in a win at the Phillies, giving up one earned run with seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

The Marlins have repeatedly said they feel Alcantara’s pure stuff is on par with the best pitchers in the National League. It’s a matter of consistency. The 24-year-old is showing that he can be a legitimate front-of-the-rotation starter.

Gallen’s part of the trade also is important.

Even though the right-hander no longer is with Miami, the organization netted shortstop Jazz Chisholm for Gallen. MLB Pipeline ranks Chisholm as the Marlins' No. 4 prospect, and he’s 73rd on the Top 100 list.

On Miami’s 40-man roster, Chisholm is part of the 60-man player pool and is at the alternate training site in Jupiter, Fla.

“We’ve been pretty clear, we feel like Jazz, obviously, has an opportunity to be the guy of the future,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “We love his talent, his energy, what he can do.”

The Marlins want to see some more polish from Chisholm before he takes over at short. That’s why with Miguel Rojas on the injured list, Jonathan Villar is playing shortstop.

“Jazz has to continue to progress and understand his swing and do all the things he has to do to be consistent at short,” Mattingly said. “He can do a lot of things, but we need that guy that’s day in, day out, bread and butter. Makes all the plays.

“We think he’s going to be a great player, but right now, J.V.’s at short. Miggy will be back at some point and we’ll make some adjustments.”

Sierra, who is out of options, profiles as a fourth outfielder. He is one of the fastest players in MLB. His average sprint speed, per Statcast, is 29.8 feet per second. The MLB average is 27 feet per second.

“Mostly, I'm trying to take every opportunity and do the best that I can,” Sierra said through an interpreter.

Shuffling up to Buffalo
The Marlins are no strangers to being on the road. Sunday marked their 20th day away from Miami since leaving July 21 for an exhibition game in Atlanta. After completing their weekend series at the Mets, the Marlins will be off on Monday before opening a two-game set against the Blue Jays in Buffalo, N.Y.

Miami has not played at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, a Minor League park that opened in 1988.

Mattingly said the club will game plan for Toronto’s players and then try to get acclimated to the park once it arrives.

“Usually, you don’t talk about the ballpark,” Mattingly said. “We’ll be looking into their players, what they do. I think you game plan for their players. How are we going to attack them offensively? How are we going to attack them as a pitching staff?

“You’ll get used to the ballpark when you get there and see how it plays. Does it play fast? How does the ball come off the wall? It’s going to be baseball, so we’re going to be preparing for their team and not necessarily worrying about what the ballpark looks like.”