Sandy Alcantara is having a stellar 2021 season for the Miami Marlins.
In a frustrating year for the organization, the youngster has provided fans with a bright spot.
The 6-foot-5 giant has seemingly been underrated at every step of his MLB career, and 2021 has been no different.
But today, we’re going to give him the attention he deserves.
Let’s get started.
Alcantara Is Having The Best Year Of His Young Career
Alcantara has already had some impressive campaigns in his young career, but the 2021 season has been his best so far.
In 31 starts, the 26-year-old has a 3.05 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.06 WHIP, and 4.2 WAR.
He had one awful start in which he allowed 10 earned runs.
If you remove that start, he has a 2.64 ERA on the year.
Sandy Alcantara is on a ridiculous tear right now. Not enough people are noticing because the Marlins aren’t good, but tonight…
8 innings, one hit, no runs, no walks, 7 strikeouts.
Last 7 starts: 52.1 inn, 9 ER, 7 BB, 64 K. 1.55 ERA.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) September 14, 2021
Additionally, he has allowed three runs or fewer in 25 out of his 31 starts.
Any team with a competent offense is going to win a lot of games when its starter allows three runs or fewer.
Unfortunately, Miami’s offense is one of the worst in the league, which is one of the reasons the team is just 14-17 in Alcantara’s starts.
But that’s no fault of his.
The stud is on a great trajectory, and Marlins fans should be extremely excited about his future with the organization.
Sandy Alcántara, 99mph Sinker and 93mph Slider.
That's not fair. pic.twitter.com/7yLtwJwlDo
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 14, 2021
He isn’t a free agent until 2025, so Miami will reap the benefits of Alcantara’s production for years to come.
The hope is that the team will contend for a title before his time with the Marlins comes to an end.
He Is Perennially One Of The League’s Most Underrated Starters
Year in and year out, Alcantara delivers great results for the Marlins.
Unfortunately for the righty, he never seems to get the attention he deserves.
It probably doesn’t help that he plays for an organization that hasn’t been relevant in years.
But regardless, the youngster deserves his flowers.
After breaking into the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, Alcantara was traded to the Marlins prior to the 2018 season.
Fans in Miami got their first glimpse at him in a Marlins uniform over six starts that year, and he impressed, pitching to a 3.44 ERA.
Sandy Alcantara is so underrated
— Miami Sports Poster In Chief (@MiamiChief) September 14, 2021
The following season, he really established himself as a rising star.
He was an anchor in Miami’s rotation for the entire 2019 season, and he managed a 3.88 ERA and 3.1 WAR over 32 starts.
He did take a league-worst 14 losses, but that just comes with the territory of playing for a rebuilding team.
In the 2020 season, Alcantara was impressive again.
With the COVID-shortened season, he only made seven starts, but he made the most of them.
He pitched to a 3.00 ERA, 3.71 FIP, and 1.19 WHIP on the year.
He also got a taste of the postseason.
Because of the expanded playoff field last year, the 31-29 Marlins were able to steal a bid.
Alcantara made two postseason starts.
His first outing was extremely impressive, as he tossed 6.2 innings of one-run ball.
Sandy Alcantara's first postseason start was amazing
Final stat line: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K's 1 HR
Take a bow ace, you did great for the #Marlins today
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) September 30, 2020
His second outing was rockier, as he got tagged for five runs over six frames.
But above all, it’s invaluable for him to have postseason experience this early in his career.
That can’t be taught.
The future is bright for the kid, and fans should start putting some respect on his name.
