Marlins Spring Training FAQs, important dates

JUPITER, Fla. -- Welcome to the next generation of Marlins baseball.

When Spring Training opens on Wednesday afternoon with pitchers and catchers’ workouts, it will mark what the organization feels is a new beginning for the franchise that has undergone an extreme roster makeover in the past few seasons.

For a franchise coming off a 57-105 season in 2019, you might not expect such an upbeat mood. But there is a different vibe around the club this year, largely because many of the organization’s top prospects are getting closer to being big league ready.

The Marlins endured their share of growing pains at the Major League level from 2018-19 as they built what is regarded as one of the top farm systems in the game. The pending arrivals of those prospects, combined with the maturation of young players with at least some MLB experience, has the organization confident that the future looks bright in Miami.

Manager Don Mattingly enters his fifth season with the Marlins, and he will have his most competitive roster since 2017, the final year Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna played for Miami.

“It's just layers of talent that we've never had,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “I've been here a while, and I can speak to it 100 percent. We've never had this much talent in one Spring Training. They're at various points in their careers, but they are all in big league camp. So they'll have the opportunity to show Donnie and the rest of us what they're capable of doing.”

In all, 12 of the Marlins’ top 13 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline, will be in big league camp. Not all will make the Opening Day roster, but many could see big league time at some point in 2020.

The rotation projects to be led by Sandy Alcantara, an All-Star in 2019. José Ure?a, the Opening Day starter the past two years, looks to have a bounceback season after missing significant time due to a herniated disc. Caleb Smith, Pablo López, Jordan Yamamoto, Elieser Hernandez and Robert Dugger are also in the mix for rotation spots.

“I think the optimism comes from the guys that we have here now,” Mattingly said. “You start talking about Sandy Alcantara and the steps he took last year. … Then you have whole other group right behind [him], knocking on the door that's pushing. That makes me optimistic.”

As a guide to what’s ahead in Spring Training, MLB.com addresses some frequently asked questions.

Pitchers and catchers report date
Tuesday, Feb. 11

First pitchers and catchers workout
Wednesday, Feb. 12

Full squad report date
Sunday, Feb. 16

First full-squad workout
Monday, Feb. 17

New faces to know
First baseman Jesús Aguilar
Infielder Jonathan Villar
Catcher Francisco Cervelli
Outfielder Corey Dickerson
Right-hander Yimi García
Outfielder Matt Joyce (not yet announced)
Right-hander Brandon Kintzler (not yet announced)
Right-hander Sterling Sharp
Left-hander Stephen Tarpley

Top prospects to know
Right-hander Sixto Sanchez (No. 22 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list)
Outfielder JJ Bleday (No. 28)
Shortstop Jazz Chisholm (No. 66)
Outfielder Jesús Sánchez (No. 80)
Outfielder Monte Harrison
Right-hander Edward Cabrera (No. 85)
Right-hander Nick Neidert
Right-hander Jorge Guzman

Where is the facility?
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is located at 4751 Main St., Jupiter, Fla., 33458. The Marlins share the complex with the Cardinals.

Can fans attend workouts?
Yes, workouts are open free of charge to the public on the back fields of the Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium complex. Times vary. On Wednesday, workouts will be in the afternoon, starting at about 1:30 p.m. ET. For morning workouts, players begin stretching at about 9:15 a.m. ET.

First game
Miami opens Grapefruit League action on Saturday, Feb. 22, against the Mets at 1:10 p.m. ET in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

First TV game
On Monday, Feb. 24, at 1 p.m. ET against the Cardinals, FOX Sports Midwest will broadcast the game.

One other notable game
The Yankees will be at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on Wednesday, March 11, at 1:05 p.m. ET. In the year that Marlins chief executive officer Derek Jeter will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, this game promises to have plenty of excitement.

Last game in Florida
The Marlins will wrap up their Grapefruit League schedule on Sunday, March 22, with a split-squad day. A game is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET against the Mets in Port St. Lucie, and the other against the Astros at 1:05 p.m. at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

Any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
No scrimmages are set for between March 23 and Opening Day.

Opening Day
Thursday, March 26, at 4:10 p.m. ET against the Phillies at Marlins Park.