MIAMI -- During the early part of Spring Training, Marlins outfield prospect Jesús Sánchez admitted that he didn't enjoy playing baseball last year.

"I guess, you know as humans, we tend to to act differently when we have plans in our hands and we think that things are going to go this way and it doesn't happen," Sánchez said through an interpreter. "We tend to lose a little bit of control, and I lost a little self-esteem and even a little bit of happiness, too. Things weren't going the way I wanted them to go, so I let that affect me. Now I understand that, and I'm ready to not let any of that affect me in the future, and I can control that."

Through four games at Triple-A Jacksonville, Sánchez has done just that, going 11-for-17 with one triple, three homers and 11 RBIs as the cleanup batter. He has just three strikeouts and one walk in 18 plate appearances.

In 2020, Miami's No. 6-ranked prospect didn't experience much success upon his callup from the alternate training site. The left-handed-hitter went 1-for-25 with four walks and 11 strikeouts in 10 Major League games. Prior to that, he had just 35 games at the Triple-A level.

"A guy that's physical, he's got power, he uses the whole field," manager Don Mattingly said on Saturday. "I felt like last year was probably a little bit of an eye-opener for him to come here and kind of got [beat up] a little bit. There was good and bad in that. There was some really good at-bats early on, and then like no hits and all of a sudden you felt the wave just kind of turn on him and he kind of felt like he just got overwhelmed a little bit, the snow ball got rolling and he couldn't stop it."

According to MLB Pipeline's scouting report, if the 23-year-old Sánchez can become more selective and add some loft to his swing, he could develop into a .280 hitter with 25-homer potential. Better suited for the corner-outfield spots, Sánchez has started three times in right field and once at designated hitter for Triple-A Jacksonville.

Over the offseason, Sánchez participated in the Dominican Winter League to make up for a lost Minor League season. But then a strained right groin limited him to just eight at-bats during Grapefruit League play. With veterans Adam Duvall, Corey Dickerson and Starling Marte manning Miami's outfield, prospects like Sánchez can further their development.

"Winter is good for those guys, and to see the adjustments they make, so he's a guy obviously we feel like is a part of the future," Mattingly said. "Last year just kind of let you know that there's still adjustments to be made and there's still growth to be had. As far as liking him and the tools and things that he can do and the kind of kid he is, he kind of comes as advertised as that kind of person."

General manager Kim Ng reiterated that belief during Friday night's broadcast on Bally Sports Florida. She singled out Sánchez and outfielder Monte Harrison when discussing players making an impact early on for the fourth-ranked farm system.

"I've mentioned to you guys how excited I was when I saw these kids for the first time in Spring Training," Ng said. "We're only a couple games, a few games into the Minor League season. … Jesús Sánchez is absolutely just crushing the ball the last few days, Monte Harrison went down a couple days ago and he's done great the last couple days. Many names that you've heard before in terms of our young players [are] just putting on a show."

Worth noting
The Marlins recalled rookie left-hander Daniel Castano to start Saturday's game against the Brewers at loanDepot park. Miami optioned infielder José Devers (No. 8 prospect) to Triple-A Jacksonville as the corresponding roster move. The 21-year-old, who had never played above the High-A level, went 2-for-12 with an RBI in eight games.