Miami Marlins star Sandy Alcantara is a unicorn in today’s MLB.
In a time in which starters often fail to complete five or six innings, he is a true workhorse who often completes seven or eight frames; even nine if the game dictates it.
He did again on Wednesday, against the St. Louis Cardinals.
He improved his 2022 record to 8-3, after allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts in nine innings.
It was yet another complete-game victory for the tall right-hander.
His ability to cover innings is what makes him different in today’s reality.
“Innings pitched leaders 1) Sandy Alcantara 115.1 IP; 2) Robbie Ray 97.2 IP. Sandy got the DOG IN HIM,” Starting 9 tweeted.
Innings pitched leaders
1) Sandy Alcantara 115.1 IP
2) Robbie Ray 97.2 IPSandy got the DOG IN HIM pic.twitter.com/n4263LEVg0
— Starting 9 (@Starting9) June 30, 2022
MLB’s Leader In Innings Pitched
Alcantara has pitched 17.2 more innings than the second-placed hurler, Robbie Ray, heading into Thursday’s action.
He just refuses to be taken out: when the manager wants to remove him from the game, he usually convinces him he has what it takes to get the next batter out.
And he often does.
Alcantara wouldn’t pitch so many innings if his ERA was high, or if he wasn’t doing his job.
But he is also very effective in addition to his incredible stamina: with a 1.95 ERA, he has performed admirably for the Marlins.
Alcantara has the perfect pitcher’s build: he is tall and lanky, but not too much.
He has incredible durability and stamina, he rarely gets injured, and he works fast.
He also gets quick outs, thanks to his excellent 56.2 groundball percentage.
In other words, Alcantara is built to last, like a good truck.
He is one of the best pitchers in the game, in part because he has no workload limitations.
That makes him special.
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