Marlins taking their time with prospect Alcantara

MIAMI — The Marlins have had chances to call up one of their top pitching prospects. So far this season, they’ve passed each time.

Right-hander Sandy Alcantara, acquired from the Cardinals in the Marcell Ozuna trade, remained in Triple-A New Orleans after left-handed starter Caleb Smith landed on the 10-day disabled list with left shoulder tightness. Smith had a MRI on Monday afternoon that revealed a Grade 3 left lat strain, which often precedes surgery.

Instead of Alcantara, the Marlins recalled righthander Ben Meyer from New Orleans. Meyer, in 11 games in Triple-A, has a 4.27 ERA.

“We’re taking our time with him,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. “We’ve fallen into the trap sometimes of rushing guys to the big leagues and not giving them the time that they need at the minor-league level to fully develop. We’re trying to make sure with all of our players and pitchers that we give them time necessary so that when they do come here, they’re ready to hit the ground running and be productive for us.”

Alcantara, ranked as the team’s No. 2 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, possesses a blazing high-90s fastball to go with a mid-80s slider and a low-90s changeup. In 14 starts with New Orleans, Alcantara has a 3.71 ERA, 6.8 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.6 walks per nine innings.

The 22-year-old Dominican made his major-league debut with St. Louis last season, appearing eight times in relief.

“His progress has been great,” Hill said. “You’re seeing the evolution of a young pitcher from thrower to pitcher. That’s been the overall goal with him is to get him more consistency with all the little parts of being a major-league pitcher.”

While Alcantara has pitched in New Orleans, the Marlins have called up a bevy of other minor-league pitchers at various points this season. Dillon Peters, Jarlin Garcia and Odrisamer Despaigne have each started this season for the Marlins, and Merandy Gonzalez and Tyler Cloyd have relieved for Miami.

Hill said circumstances surrounding callups impact who gets recalled, including when a pitcher most recently pitched and if they’re available to pitch soon. Without getting into specifics, Hill said Alcantara knows what he needs to improve on to make it to the big leagues.

Team signs pick

The Marlins signed and introduced second-round pick Osiris Johnson on Monday afternoon, making the 17-year-old shortstop the newest member of the organization.

Johnson, originally from Alameda, Calif., was selected with the No. 53 pick in the MLB draft earlier this month and will report to Jupiter before joining the GCL Marlins, president of baseball operations Michael Hill said.

Johnson participated in batting practice Monday afternoon, at one point blasting four consecutive homers to center field in spacious Marlins Park. Johnson is listed at 6 foot 1 and 185 pounds.