Sandy Alcantara offers look of offseason routine

He made his first All-Star team in 2019 and got even better in ‘20 and ‘21. But in ‘22, everything seemed to click for the Dominican right-hander. Alcantara went 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA and won the National League Cy Young Award unanimously, becoming the first Marlins pitcher to receive the honor. 

What exactly changed for Alcantara in order for him to take that next step? How was he able to throw six complete games last season, a feat that seems almost impossible in today’s game?

We spent two days with Alcantara to hopefully get a better sense of what has made him into one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. Here are three things that stood out. (And for an inside glimpse at Alcantara’s offseason routine, watch the behind-the-scenes feature with Alcantara and Yonder Alonso from MLB Network at the top of this page.)

1. There are two different Sandys

When Alcantara and his agent, Adriel Reyes, arrived at Florida International University for a workout, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner was all smiles. He went around greeting the players and trainers who were in attendance.

Alcantara wasted no time cracking jokes with Braves closer Raisel Iglesias and former Marlins teammate Pablo López, who were also in attendance.

“He likes to have a good time, he jokes around a lot,” López told MLB.com in Spanish. “But there’s one day in particular [his start day] that you can’t even talk to Sandy.”

Being in a zone on days they pitch isn’t entirely unusual for starting pitchers. Likely future first-ballot Hall of Famers Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw have built a reputation of carrying an intensity level that most people can’t fully comprehend.

It’s a mentality Alcantara picked up during the 2019 season, and one he hopes can lead him to more years of success, following in the footsteps of Scherzer and Kershaw. One interesting part, however, was that Alcantara showed signs of that intensity even while throwing live batting practices during the offseason.

Alcantara was facing former Major Leaguer Adeiny Hechavarria in a live BP. His first two pitches were heaters that Hechavarria couldn’t catch up to. On the third pitch, Hechavarria was able to foul it off. As Hechavarria walked away from the plate, Alcantara relayed a message to the longtime shortstop.

“Just stay in there,” Alcantara said in Spanish. “Let me strike you out.”

Alcantara struck him out on the next pitch.

2. His brother is never far away

Alcantara is one of 11 children. His relationship with his older sister is one that is particularly special. Alcantara said he always tries to make sure all his siblings are well taken care of. Family is what’s most important to the Marlins right-hander.

His relationship with his younger brother, Rafelin, is also one he doesn’t take for granted. Rafelin spent some time as a Minor Leaguer in the Cardinals’ system, but never made it to The Show. (Sandy was also originally signed by the Cardinals before a 2017 trade to Miami.) Now, Alcantara’s younger brother works directly with the right-hander, making sure everything is taken care of.

About 30 minutes before Alcantara shows up at FIU, Rafelin shows up and gets everything ready for the Cy Young winner’s workout. He has Alcantara’s equipment lined up. Whatever Alcantara needs, his brother is there for him.

The following day, at a training facility near Doral, Fla., Rafelin shows up early again. This time, he comes prepared with some protein bars and a snack before Alcantara goes through his workout. The two sit together in the far corner of the facility and talk about anything that’s on their minds.

“You know when you’re kids, brothers get into fights and everything,” Rafelin laughed. “When I would get in trouble, Sandy was the one we would come to. But we’ve just had an unbelievable relationship.”

With Alcantara taking a huge leap in his development, it was pretty obvious that the right-hander works hard. But after a few minutes around him, it became even more clear that his motor is just different.

Once he finished a light throwing session and extensive stretching, Alcantara made his way to the weight training side of the facility. Alcantara’s routine is going through five or six reps in each machine, which includes around nine different workouts.

The workouts are high-intensity, and Alcantara won’t leave until all his work is complete. After waiting for Alcantara for a few hours, Alonso and his MLB Network producer approached Rafelin to gauge how much longer the right-hander would need to finish the workout.

“He should be done soon,” Rafelin answered.

What we didn’t know was that “soon” still meant Alcantara had another hour left. It’s the type of work that led him to a historic season, and he believes there’s still a lot more left in the tank.

“I would watch my dad working really hard,” Alcantara said. “He worked in agriculture and you know how tough of a job that is. I think working hard is something I have in my blood. I’ve just stayed disciplined, motivated and consistent. I think that’s what has allowed me to have this much success in the big leagues.”