D-Train says: “They could be the best staff the Marlins have ever had”

D-Train says: “They could be the best staff the Marlins have ever had”

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By Joe Frisaro @ManOn2nd

When the D-Train talks, he speaks from authority. So when Dontrelle Willis makes a bold claim, you pay attention.

As special guest on the most recent ManOn2nd podcast, Willis was asked to assess the current Miami Marlins rotation. The one-time National League Rookie of the Year, and two-time All-Star, gushed about the talent pitching coach Mel Stottlemeyer Jr., is working with.

“They could be the best staff the Marlins have ever had, and that’s saying a lot,” Willis said during Thursday’s MO2 podcast.

The rotation is headed by Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez and Trevor Rogers, runner-up in the 2021 N.L. Rookie of the Year voting.

“You know what,” Willis said. “We’ve had some talented arms come through, and I’ve been blessed to play with the Brad Pennys and Josh Becketts and A.J. Burnett. This group right now, with Pablo and Sandy and Trevor. They might be, as far as raw talent, one through five, and even Sixto [Sanchez] coming back from injury, they could be the best staff the Marlins have ever had, and that’s saying a lot.”

That’s the full quote Willis said on the podcast, which is posted on the @ManOn2nd Twitter account and below on the Five Reasons Sports YouTube channel.

The D-Train, one of the most popular players in Marlins’ history, was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2003, and he was a big part of the franchise’s World Series title team that same season.

In recent years, Willis has transitioned to being a TV analyst with Fox Sports.

While he lives in North Scottsdale, Ariz., the D-Train still pays close attention to the Marlins, especially their pitchers.

“You’re seeing the growth,” Willis said. “They’re strike throwers. They believe in their stuff. Sandy has a changeup that’s harder than my fastball. It’s obnoxious, the talent, and the stuff that they possess. They understand that this is going to be the key for their organization to have success, especially in a very, very daunting division.”

Alcantara logged 205 2/3 innings, and struck out 201 in 33 starts in 2021. His changeup, per Statcast, averaged 91.8 mph. Hitters simply have a tough time evaluating the baseball off Alcantara. His average launch angle against is 4.5 degrees.

Lopez made 20 starts, and threw 102 2/3 innings in a season that was marred by a shoulder injury. When on the mound, he was highly effective, posting a 3.07 ERA.

Rogers’ ERA was 2.64, and he had 157 strikeouts in 133 innings.

“Once they realize how their stuff plays to the hitter, you’re going to see those guys gain more and more confidence, Willis said. “You saw that from everyone, whether it was Lopez’s changeup. They started to understand, in bits and piece, ok, I can throw this even when I’m behind in the count, and I can trust I can get a swing and miss, and get myself back in the count. That’s when pitching gets fun, and it gets, not easier, but you get into a real good rhythm. I think all these guys are at that threshold where they could build off that.”

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