JUPITER, Fla. -- The Marlins made their first transactions of the spring Friday, trimming their Major League camp roster by 10.

Headlining the moves were some of the club's top prospects, including right-handers Sixto Sanchez (ranked as the Marlins' No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline) and Jorge Guzman (No. 19), who were optioned to Triple-A Wichita.

Manager Don Mattingly said he has enjoyed watching the progress those pitchers have made and the work they’ve put in.

“I know a lot of the development side is really excited about them, and for good reason,” Mattingly said. “It was just good to see them work and interact, and just kind of take that next step towards being in the big leagues.”

He spoke optimistically about the next wave of arms working to make The Show, with 21-year-old Sanchez at the top of the list.

“Sixto is kind of off the charts as far as he looks like a polished [pitcher],” Mattingly said. “He throws the ball where he wants. He does it easy, kind of advanced in those terms. Obviously, the way we wanted to get him ready compared to last year, it was so good for him and the way he pitched. We knew we wanted to kind of have the slow build again this year. He comes with a lot of fanfare and with good reason.”

In five Minor League seasons, Sanchez has compiled a record of 23-18 over 59 starts -- 68 appearances -- with a 2.58 ERA.

In addition, right-handers Edward Cabrera (No. 5) and Jordan Holloway (No. 20) were optioned to Double-A Jacksonville. Another right-handed pitcher, Humberto Mejia (No. 23), was optioned to Class A Jupiter.

Left-handed pitchers Daniel Castano, Braxton Garrett (No. 6) and Trevor Rogers (No. 8), along with catcher B.J. López and outfielder Victor Victor Mesa (No. 26), were reassigned to Minor League camp.

Mattingly's plans for versatile Dickerson

Corey Dickerson hit in the No. 3 hole on Friday and that seems to be where Mattingly looks for the veteran to settle into.

“Jonathan [Villar] up top, that’s kind of where we see him. We like [Brian Anderson] in the two-hole,” Mattingly said. “That kind of gives us the ability to switch up top. You’ve got a switch [hitter], then you go right, and you go left again [with Dickerson]. Then we can kind of mix it up after that.”

Dickerson, who went 0-for-3 against the Nationals, said he feels no pressure in that prominent role.

“Zero,” Dickerson said. “I try to be the same person no matter where I hit and be smart in the situations. I never over think it.”

While Mattingly said that he would be comfortable playing Dickerson at any of the three outfield positions, he’d still prefer to keep him in left field.

“He tells us he can play center, so I’ve had him out there a couple of times,” Mattingly said. “I don’t really plan [to play him in multiple outfield positions]. I see him more in left field in our mixture right now. I would feel comfortable moving him around, but I’d rather see him where he’s at and keeping in one spot as much as possible. I think we’ll get a better defense all around.

“It’s great to have versatility, but when you’re moving all over the field, that’s not quite as easy as it sounds. You’re a lot more comfortable if you’re in a spot all the time. Things could change, but for the most part, I’d like to be consistent in where he’s at.”

Dickerson is on the same page.

“I want to make sure I can impact the game defensively, too,” Dickerson said. “If I got the opportunity to play center some, I think it would be fun, energizing. But also being in a position and knowing how your body moves in that position, you should just be better overall.”

Up next

After hosting the Nationals on Friday, the Marlins travel down the road to West Palm Beach to visit a Nationals split squad on Saturday for a 1:05 p.m. ET game at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. José Ureña is expected to take the mound for the Marlins against right-hander Joe Ross for the Nationals.