Miami Marlins plan to have first scrimmage on Thursday

MIAMI—The Miami Marlins will have a Summer Camp simulated scrimmage on Thursday July 9 at Marlins Park. The team’s lone 2019 All-Star, right-handed pitcher Sandy Alcantara, will throw against left-handed pitcher Caleb Smith in tomorrow’s simulated scrimmage. Both pitchers are expected to throw five innings each.

Sandy Alcantara finished the 2019 season with a 3.88 ERA in 32 starts. He also threw 197 ¹⁄₃ innings with 151 strikeouts, 1.32 WHIP and a 2.8 WAR. Caleb Smith posted a 10-11 record with a 4.52 ERA in 28 starts. Smith also struck out 168 batters in 153 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched with a 1.23 WHIP and a 1.7 WAR.

Both starting pitchers will likely be competing for the ace role in the Marlins starting rotation. However, that’s not the only starting job that’s open for competition.

With the DH being installed in the National League for the 2020 season that could leave a starting job open in the outfield. The Marlins added veteran outfielders such as Jonathan Villar, Corey Dickerson and Matt Joyce this past offseason. The Fish also have one of their top outfield prospects in Miami vying for a starting job.

Monte Harrison is in the mix to be one of the Marlins starting outfielders on Opening Day. Harrison performed well in Spring Training before it was shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Harrison continues to impress at Summer Camp with the Marlins in Miami.

This simulated scrimmage could help Harrison’s case on making the MLB roster on Opening Day. Harrison has even gotten the attention of Marlins skipper Don Mattingly.

“He’s a mega-talented kid,” said Mattingly about outfield prospect Monte Harrison. “He plays fast and with energy.”

Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images

Another thing to watch for is to see where the Marlins will play Villar. The Fish acquired utility player Jonathan Villar on the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas.

Villar spent a lot of Spring Training playing center field but Mattingly mentioned that Villar could also play shortstop, second base and even DH.

“I’m here for the team,” said Villar about playing multiple position. “You have to prepare mentally and physically every day.”