Miami Marlins Youth Academy Coaches

Coach Since Spring 2025

Born and raised in Hialeah, Coach Alejandro is a proud product of COHEA and currently plays collegiate baseball as a pitcher for Florida National University. With a deep love for the game and a strong connection to his community, he’s passionate about giving back to the youth who share his enthusiasm for baseball through the Miami Marlins Youth Academy.

As a coach, he focuses not only on teaching the fundamentals of baseball but also on instilling discipline, respect, and leadership both on and off the field. His goal is to help young athletes grow into confident players and responsible individuals.

When he's not on the mound or mentoring the next generation, you’ll likely find him fishing!

Coach Since Fall 2025

Coach Alexis was born in Cuba and grew up in Miami, Florida, where his love for baseball flourished. He attended Mater Academy Bay before continuing his journey at Florida National University (FNU), where he plays as a middle infielder and continues to sharpen his skills on the diamond to this day.

His path led him to the Miami Marlins Youth Academy with a mission to share the game he loves with the next generation. For Coach Alexis, teaching baseball is more than drills and fundamentals, it’s about passing on his passion, joy, and respect for the sport to our athletes. He believes that young athletes should play not out of obligation, but because they truly love the game. Coaching gives him the chance to instill those values while helping players grow both on and off the field.

What Coach Alexis enjoys about working with the athletes in our academy the most is the energy and enthusiasm of the kids and families he works with. Their charisma and excitement during practice and games inspire him every day to be the best coach he can be. Adding on that, he takes pride in watching athletes build confidence through hard work and dedication. His role extends beyond baseball, serving as a mentor and positive influence within the community.

Speaking of the community, Coach Alexis stays active by playing basketball or football with local friends and neighbors. Whether he’s competing on the field or in a pickup game, he brings the same focus, fun, and heart to everything he does.

Coach Since Summer 2026

Growing up in Kissimmee, Florida, Coach Alondra spent most of her high school years as a virtual student, balancing academics with her growing passion for softball. She played for Cypress Creek High School as a catcher and third baseman, positions that allowed her to lead, communicate, and stay deeply involved in every play. She is now continuing her athletic and academic journey at St. Thomas University, where she plays as a catcher and continues to sharpen her skills behind the plate.

Coach Alondra joined the Miami Marlins MLB Youth Academy because of her love for the sport and her passion for teaching young children. Softball has always been a source of joy and purpose in her life, and she wanted to help young athletes experience that same excitement. Coaching at the Academy gives her the opportunity to share her knowledge, guide players through new challenges, and help them discover the fun and confidence that come from learning the game.

What Coach Alondra enjoys most about working with kids and families is watching young athletes truly enjoy the sport. Seeing them smile, grow, and begin to love the game the way she does is what inspires her every day. She values the chance to be part of their development and to help create positive memories that last far beyond the field.

Outside of softball, Coach Alondra loves going to the beach. It is her favorite place to rest, unwind, and relax. Whether she is enjoying the sun, the waves, or the peaceful atmosphere, the beach is where she recharges and finds balance.

Fiery, feisty, and full of heart, Coach Alondra shows up ready to teach, encourage, and help your athlete build confidence, skill, and a genuine love for the game!

Coach Since Fall 2024

Marlins Nike RBI Alumna

Although Coach Ariana grew up between the fast-paced streets of New York and the tropical vibes of Miami, one thing is for certain: Coach Ariana lives and breathes city culture. She played high school ball at Immaculata-La Salle as a catcher, continued with the Marlins RBI team in the same position, and later competed as a utility player at the University of Florida, where she earned her bachelor’s degree.

Her connection to the Marlins Nike RBI program made joining the Miami Marlins Youth Academy a full-circle moment. Driven by a desire to give back, she’s passionate about helping young athletes grow both on and off the field, instilling them with confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love for the game.

What she enjoys most is watching athletes light up as they improve, gain confidence, and fall in love with baseball. Creating a positive, supportive environment for families is at the heart of her coaching philosophy.

Outside the diamond, Coach Ariana has a knack for thrifting. When she’s not on the field, she’s getting immersed in thrift pop-up shops, cooking up new outfit combinations!

Coach Since Fall 2025

A former coach at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy, Coach Ariel brings her strong academic and athletic background to the Miami Marlins Youth Academy. A graduate of Brandeis University, she earned her BA in psychology and education while playing collegiate softball as a versatile utility player, with second base as her primary position.

Now based in Miami, she serves as a graduate assistant softball coach at Barry University while pursuing her master’s degree in sports psychology. Her move to the Miami Marlins Youth Academy was driven by a deep love for the game and a desire to help grow it within the community. She sees the Academy as a powerful platform for building character, connection, and opportunity through sport.

What Coach Ariel enjoys most is being a small but meaningful part of each family’s journey with baseball and softball. She views the game as a gift and strives to be a great ambassador for it by helping young athletes discover its joy and life lessons.

A tried-and-true lover of the game, Coach Ariel will always be there for your athlete, instilling the love of the game, as was done to her, onto your athlete!

Coach Since Fall 2025

Coach Ava grew up in DuBois, Pennsylvania, where she attended DuBois Area High School and first developed her love for baseball. She went on to play for Florida National University (FNU), where she contributes both on the mound as a pitcher and in the infield, continuing to sharpen her skills and deepening her connection to the game.

Her journey has brought her to the Miami Marlins Youth Academy with a clear mission: to pursue a career in professional sports while teaching kids the game she loves. For Coach Ava, coaching is about more than just teaching fundamentals, it’s about sharing passion, building confidence, and inspiring young athletes to play with joy and dedication.

What she enjoys most is watching kids progress and learn every day. Seeing their growth, enthusiasm, and excitement for Baseball motivates her to give her best both on and off the field. Her role extends beyond baseball, serving as a mentor and positive influence for the families she works with.

Outside of baseball, Coach Ava spends her time by the beach serving up perfect passes in Beach Volleyball!

Coach Since Summer 2025

Growing up in Miami, our seasonal Coach D’lani found her passion for softball early, discovering how the game could shape confidence, discipline, and character. She graduated from Southwest Miami Senior High School, where she played infield and built the foundation of her playing career. She continued competing at New College of Florida, where she now serves as a student assistant on the softball coaching staff while completing her bachelor’s degree. Her time on the field as both a player and a developing coach has deepened her understanding of the game and strengthened her commitment to helping young athletes grow.

Coach D’lani joined the Miami Marlins MLB Youth Academy because softball gave her structure, community, and a sense of belonging throughout her life. She wanted to help provide that same experience for young athletes, a place where development, mentorship, and confidence building come first. Coaching at the Academy allows her to share her knowledge, support players through challenges, and help them discover the same love for the game that shaped her own journey.

What Coach D’lani enjoys most about working with kids and families is watching athletes grow not only in their skills but in their belief in themselves. She values building strong relationships with families and being part of a supportive environment that extends far beyond practices and games.

Outside of softball, Coach D’lani has been a hip hop dancer for most of her life. She loves staying active, spending time with family and friends, and finding new ways to challenge herself personally and professionally. She brings that same energy, creativity, and drive into her coaching.

Energetic, grounded, supportive, and always pushing for growth, Coach D’lani shows up every day committed to helping your athlete uncover the confidence, discipline, and potential already inside them!

Coach Since Summer 2026

Born and raised in Miami, Coach Destiny grew up surrounded by the energy and passion of South Florida softball. She played for Doral Academy and Miami Springs before continuing her athletic career at Eastern Florida State College. Throughout her journey she was primarily a pitcher, but she also enjoyed contributing at first base whenever her team

needed her. Her years on the field shaped her understanding of the game and strengthened her desire to guide young athletes.

Coach Destiny joined the Miami Marlins MLB Youth Academy because she is, at her core, a teacher. She loves helping young players learn, grow, and develop both on and off the field. Softball gave her structure, confidence, and direction, and she wanted to create that same experience for the next generation. Coaching at the Academy allows her to share her knowledge, support players through challenges, and teach the fundamentals that build strong athletes and strong people.

What Coach Destiny enjoys most about working with kids and families is the opportunity to teach the game she loves while helping players build confidence in themselves. She takes pride in watching athletes improve, learn new skills, and take ownership of their progress. She values the relationships she builds with families and the chance to be part of a positive, encouraging environment.

Outside of softball, Coach Destiny has a passion for flying. She has flown two airplanes and loves the excitement and freedom of being in the air. She enjoys staying active, spending time with loved ones, and continuing to challenge herself in new ways.

Steady, patient, and committed to youth growth, Coach Destiny shows up every day ready to teach, inspire, and help your athlete uncover the confidence, discipline, and latent potential inside them!

Coach Since Fall 2024

2025 Coach Across America Miami Dade County Coach of The Year

Coach Anthony grew up in Miami, Florida, and attended Columbus High School, where his love for baseball began. He went on to play second base and centerfield for the United States Army team.

His journey brought him to the Miami Marlins Youth Academy with a mission to stay connected to the game and give back to the community. Coaching youth players allows him to share his experience, passion, and values, in turn helping shape the next generation both on and off the field.

What Coach Anthony enjoys most is the opportunity to build relationships with kids and families, serving as a positive example and mentor. His presence is felt not just in the dugout, but in the lives of those he inspires.

Outside of baseball, he’s a certified boxing trainer and coach, bringing intensity, focus, and heart to every workout. Whether it’s on the diamond or in the ring, Coach Anthony is all about building champions.

Coach Since Winter 2023

Coach GP grew up in Miami, Florida, and is a proud graduate of Florida International University. His baseball journey began at Miami Jackson High School, where he played as both an outfielder and pitcher, laying the foundation for a lifelong connection to the game.

Driven by a desire to give back, he joined the Miami Marlins Youth Academy to help shape the next generation of athletes. The Academy’s mission to build character, discipline, and community through baseball deeply resonated with him, and he’s passionate about using the sport as a way to foster personal growth in our Miami Marlins Youth Academy athletes.

What Coach GP enjoys most is watching young players evolve, not just as athletes, but as individuals. Every week brings new practices, and every practice is a new opportunity to facilitate growth in his athletes.

Outside of baseball, he’s a certified trainer who helps others improve movement, posture, and performance through corrective training. He’s also a dedicated family man who coaches his kids’ teams and fires up the grill every weekend.

A true family man, you can bet on Coach GP leaving a long-lasting positive impression on your athlete!

Coach Since Spring 2026

Growing up in Miami, our seasonal Coach D’lani found her passion for softball early, discovering how the game could shape confidence, discipline, and character. She graduated from Southwest Miami Senior High School, where she played infield and built the foundation of her playing career. She continued competing at New College of Florida, where she now serves as a student assistant on the softball coaching staff while completing her bachelor’s degree. Her time on the field as both a player and a developing coach has deepened her understanding of the game and strengthened her commitment to helping young athletes grow.

Coach D’lani joined the Miami Marlins MLB Youth Academy because softball gave her structure, community, and a sense of belonging throughout her life. She wanted to help provide that same experience for young athletes, a place where development, mentorship, and confidence building come first. Coaching at the Academy allows her to share her knowledge, support players through challenges, and help them discover the same love for the game that shaped her own journey.

What Coach D’lani enjoys most about working with kids and families is watching athletes grow not only in their skills but in their belief in themselves. She values building strong relationships with families and being part of a supportive environment that extends far beyond practices and games.

Outside of softball, Coach D’lani has been a hip hop dancer for most of her life. She loves staying active, spending time with family and friends, and finding new ways to challenge herself personally and professionally. She brings that same energy, creativity, and drive into her coaching.

Energetic, grounded, supportive, and always pushing for growth, Coach D’lani shows up every day committed to helping your athlete uncover the confidence, discipline, and potential already inside them!

Coach Since Summer 2025

Coach Josh grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where his love for baseball began. He went on to play at Coastal Carolina University, a top D1 school, where he showcased his versatility as an outfielder and utility player. His experience on the field laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to the game and its values.

With previous service in the Miami Marlins Foundation, Coach Josh was drawn to the Miami Marlins Youth Academy by its deep dedication to the community. The Academy’s mission to develop well-rounded athletes through character and discipline aligned perfectly with his own coaching philosophy.

What he enjoys most is the unspoken love for the game that radiates from every player, parent, and coach. It’s a shared passion that fuels growth and connection, making every practice and game a meaningful experience.

Outside of baseball, Coach Josh loves to travel and spend quality time with loved ones, exploring new places, creating memories, and staying grounded in what matters most.

Coach Since Spring 2026

Marlins Nike RBI Alumna

A Miami Beach native, Coach Maricela brings her local roots and on‑field experience to the Miami Marlins Youth Academy. A product of Miami Beach Senior High, she played four years on the varsity softball team as a pitcher and infielder, developing a deep understanding of the game and a passion for teaching fundamentals and competitive spirit.

Having spent summers training with the Miami Marlins Youth Academy, Coach Maricela returns to give back to the organization that once took a chance on her. Having grown up with such a personal connection to the Academy, she knows firsthand how meaningful early opportunities can be for athletes wanting to get into the sport and as such is now helping the next generation of players grow into Major League Citizens.

What Coach Maricela enjoys most is watching young athletes develop a genuine love for baseball and softball. She takes great pride in seeing kids improve their skills and game knowledge at every practice and game, and values being part of each player’s journey as they gain a solid confidence and understanding of/for the sport.

Off the field, Coach Maricela stays active by going for runs in her free time. A dependable and enthusiastic coach, she is dedicated to supporting families and players while instilling the same love of the game that shaped her into an aspiring athlete!

Coach Since Spring 2025

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Coach Marie is a proud graduate of Millennium Brooklyn High School. Their passion for baseball led them to Quinnipiac University, where they played middle infield and honed their skills at the collegiate level.

Driven by a deep love for the game, Coach Marie joined the Miami Marlins Youth Academy to give back to the sport that shaped their life. They bring energy, experience, and a mentorship mindset to every session, helping young athletes grow both on and off the field.

What Coach Marie enjoys most about working with kids and families is the opportunity to pass on the wisdom and support they received from great mentors. Their coaching philosophy centers on building confidence, fostering teamwork, and creating a fun, inclusive environment.

Outside of baseball, Coach Marie enjoys spending time with their younger sister who’s 22 years their junior. Off the field you’ll find her embracing the unique bond that comes with such a wide age gap!

Coach Since Fall 2025

Coach Nick grew up in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and attended Port St. Lucie High School, where his love for baseball took root. He went on to pitch for Millennia Atlantic University, honing his craft on the mound and deepening his connection to the game.

His journey led him to youth coaching with a mission to spread the love of baseball to the next generation. Coach Nick prioritizes having his athletes nurture a positive, healthy relationship with the sport. He wants his players to play the game not through obligation, but through passion and love for it. Coaching allows him to share his experience, passion, and values—helping young players grow both on and off the field.

What Coach Nick enjoys most is watching athletes improve and build confidence through hard work and dedication. His impact goes beyond the diamond, serving as a mentor and role model to the families he works with.

Outside of baseball, Coach Nick is an avid dominoes player, always up for a challenge and a good laugh. When he’s paired up with Coach Sebastian, other teams at the table don’t stand a chance! Whether it’s strategizing on the field or around the table, he brings focus, fun, and heart to everything he does.

Coach Since Summer 2025

A proud Hialeah native and the self-proclaimed prankster of our coaching staff, Coach Pat grew up honing his skills at Walker Park. Being raised in Hialeah and playing school football at Hialeah High infused Pat with a deep appreciation for his commonwealth. With deep roots in the community and a lifelong love for sports, he’s dedicated his career to coaching and mentoring young athletes.

He sees the baseball field as more than just a place to play. To Coach Pat, it’s a platform to imbue life lessons into young, impressionable athletes. For him, baseball is a powerful tool to build character, discipline, and resilience.

Over the years, he’s had the joy of coaching his own children in basketball, baseball, softball, and more. All these experiences that have made his coaching journey even more meaningful also make it something very personal. Off the field, his creative side shines through with his love for music. He used to DJ school parties and pep rallies and even had his own recording studio.

Whether he’s drawing up drills or giving DJ Khaled a run for his money in the booth, Coach Pat brings energy, heart, and a deep commitment to uplifting the next generation!

Coach Since Fall 2024

Coach Sebastian grew up playing baseball in Maracaibo, Venezuela, where his love for baseball first took root. After attending school in his hometown, he continued his athletic journey in the United States and now plays collegiate baseball at Millennial Atlantic University, where he holds down catcher and third base with true skill and leadership.

His passion for the game goes beyond just playing the game. He’s dedicated to teaching and explaining baseball to all those who are willing to listen. As a coach, he finds joy in watching young athletes grow week by week, not only in their skills but in their love and respect for the sport.

Coach Sebastian believes that baseball is more than a game, it’s a tool for success that one carries within themselves for the rest of their life. His goal is to help kids discover that for themselves, just as he did.

When he’s not on the field, the dominoes table is his domain. His partner in crime on the dominoes table is Coach Nick. They are known to wipe the floor when paired together! Whether it’s strategy in the dugout or at the game table, Coach Sebastian brings focus, discipline, and heart to everything he does.

Coach Since Spring 2026

Growing up as a military child, Coach Sharon was always on the go, moving from Washington State, to Jacksonville, to Virginia, to finally Miami. She attended Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia, where she played Division II softball as a center fielder and developed a deep love for the game. After college she returned to her roots in Puerto Rico, where she played for Las Prodigiosas in Sabana Grande for two years.

She joined the Miami Marlins Youth Academy because baseball and softball gave her structure, confidence, and community while growing up. She wanted to help provide that same opportunity to kids, that being a place that emphasizes development, mentorship, and a safe, supportive environment for families. Coaching at the Academy lets her provide the structure and stability that Softball provided to her all her life, into your athlete.

What she enjoys most about working with kids and families at our Academy is watching players not only grow in their skills, but in their confidence as well. Witnessing the exact moment something “clicks” for athletes brings her great joy! She also values building strong relationships with athletes and their parents along with being part of a broader support system that extends beyond practices and games.

Outside of softball, Coach Sharon is always on the hunt to grow as a person. She loves working out, pushing her physical limits, and studying mindset and mental performance. She is also a devoted family person who treasures time with loved ones and brings that

Loud, but grounded in what matters. Proud, but never vain. Coach Sharon won’t ever back down when it comes to bringing out the latent potential in herself and in your athlete!

Coach Since Spring 2025

Marlins Nike RBI Alumna

Coach Sherlly is a proud Miami native and graduate of Southwest Miami Senior High School, where she played in the outfield and developed a deep love for the game. She also was a part of our Marlins Nike RBI program and made the All-Star team her first year, getting the chance to compete against other RBI teams. Her journey in softball has now come full circle as she dedicates her time to teaching and mentoring the next generation of athletes.

Driven by the opportunity to give back, Coach Sherlly is passionate about helping youth learn the sport she loves while inspiring discipline, respect, and teamwork both on and off the field. Her coaching style emphasizes growth, discipline, and character-building, creating a positive environment where athletes can thrive.

When she’s not on the field, you’ll likely find her enjoying the thrills of theme parks. Whether it’s a roller coaster or a baseball diamond, Coach Sherlly brings energy and excitement to everything she does!