Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara loves pitching for the Miami Marlins: "When I put the Miami uniform on... I feel special, every time"
Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara loves pitching for the Miami Marlins.
"When I put the Miami uniform on... I feel special every time," Alcantara told MLB.com.
"When I put the ππ²πͺπΆπ² uniform on... I feel special, every time."
NL Cy Young winner @sandyalcantar22 sat with @YonderalonsoU to detail his love for Miami culture and the role his work ethic plays in elevating his game.
#MakeItMiami | @Marlins | @LasMayores | @MLBDominicana https://t.co/a7tEFBUSAB
Alcantara, a native of the Dominican Republic, is signed to a five-year, $56 million contract that runs through 2026. He is in no hurry to leave the Marlins.
"I love Miami. That's why I bring my family here," Alcantara said during the interview. "I love Miami so much because it is close to my country. It's like an hour, 45 (minute) flight. And the culture here ... the food and all that stuff."
The St. Louis Cardinals originally had claim to Sandy Alcantara, but traded the young hurler to the Miami Marlins in a package to acquire outfielder Marcell Ozuna.
He pitched in just eight games with the Cardinals before the trade and made six starts for the Marlins in his first year in Miami. From there, however, he quickly became a mainstay in south Florida.
In 2019, Alcantara lost a National League-leading 14 games, but still made his first All-Star appearance on the strength of a 3.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 151 strikeouts.
In 2021, he lost 15 games β largely due to the Marlins' offensive inabilities. He started a major league-leading 33 games, struck out 201 batters and carried a WHIP of 1.08 with a 3.19 ERA.
It all came together for Alcantara in 2022, as he led the majors with six complete games, 886 batters faced, and 228 2/3 innings. In 32 starts, he struck out 207 batters with a 0.98 WHIP and 2.28 ERA to post a 14-9 record and run away with the Cy Young Award race.
"(The Marlins) opened a door for me to play my favorite sport and to live here in Miami," Alcantara said.
Sandy Alcantara is the top ticket for the Miami Marlins
The Marlins took steps to improve their offense this season to help their pitchers β and the team in general β win more games.
Alcantara leads the rotation again in 2023, and is the team's top draw overall. WIth his 2022 staffmate Pedro Lopez traded to the Minnesota Twins this offseason, Alcantara will be joined in the rotation by Johnny Cueto, Jesus Lazardo, Edward Cabrera and Trevor Rogers, according to Fangraphs.com.