JUPITER, Fla. -- When he was a prospect in the Cardinals’ system a few years ago, Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara received some advice from All-Star catcher Yadier Molina.

“He told me one day, it doesn’t matter who is in batter’s box, just throw the ball to home plate,” Alcantara said.

The attack-the-zone message has sunk in, and on Saturday, Alcantara will get a chance to apply the philosophy against his former team when he starts the Marlins' Grapefruit League opener against the Cardinals at 1:05 p.m. ET at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

“I’m excited to see all my friends,” Alcantara said. “They’ll smile at me, and say my name, and I hope to strike out a couple of people.”

The Marlins share the Roger Dean complex with the Cardinals, and in the first game, they will be wearing their home white uniforms.

The game will be televised on Fox Sports Florida, and will air on the Marlins’ flagship radio stadium, WINZ 940 AM.

Alcantara, 23, was acquired from the Cardinals as part of the Marcell Ozuna trade after the 2017 season. As a rookie last year, Alcantara split time between Triple-A New Orleans and Miami, where he made six starts and was 2-3 with a 3.44 ERA.

“He’s a guy we feel like has a world of talent and ability,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We’re looking for his work and attention to detail. Out on the mound, you want him to attack the strike zone. The only time he got in trouble last season with us was when he was walking people, and not commanding the baseball. You’re going to want to see that, and hopefully it’s improving and steadily improving.”

Alcantara had 30 strikeouts and 23 walks in 34 big league innings.

The Marlins have yet to announce their starting lineup, but reliever Adam Conley also is scheduled to pitch.

Making Miami a destination hotbed

With its sunshine and sandy beaches, Miami has long been a vacation destination. To the players in the Marlins’ organization, the coaching staff and administration, the goal is to make the market a baseball hotbed as well.

Shortstop Miguel Rojas, who has been with the organization since 2015, sees the Marlins becoming a future destination for the top players in the Majors.

“The destination for players in the near future is going to be Miami,” Rojas said. “That’s what we want. We want the destination for players to be Miami. We want the message to be: We’re going to win here. So, if you’re win ready to win, that’s the message we want to send to everybody.”

The organization is in the second year of a building process. But even though the Marlins are predicted to finish last in the National League East, Rojas envisions things turning quickly for the Marlins in the near future.

“We’re going to base on accountability,” Rojas said. “We’re going to base on respect. And we’re going to base on competition. Nobody is going to hand you anything. You’re going to have to fight for your spot and fight to keep your spot, if you earn one. It’s not that you’re going to be here and just show up and be with this organization forever.”

Spring Training perspective

Grapefruit League games will help the Marlins in their evaluation process, but, with caution, the club will pay attention to statistical results.

“Although you want your players to do everything right, you’re still not preparing for a game the way you would during the regular season,” Mattingly said.

Generally speaking, Spring Training and September results (due to callups and where teams are in the standings) are tough months to evaluate results.

“In September, if you are a guy who is getting an opportunity, and it is kind of meaningless situation, it’s different than if you are playing with games on the line.”

He said it

“He’s a really talented player. Everything for him, comes easy. We talk. I think he’s going to be one of the top third basemen in baseball.” -- Martín Prado on his assessment of teammate Brian Anderson