Jordan McCants navigating his way through a speedy advancement to minor league baseball

A year ago, Jordan McCants was a Pensacola Catholic student finishing up his senior year as a Crusader.

He was young and carefree, playing baseball for the love of the game and hanging out with friends and family whenever he had the chance. 

Then he got drafted by the Miami Marlins in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft, had to report to South Florida a week later, and his life changed in the blink of an eye. 

The family and friends cookouts will be numbered, the flexible schedule of a high school sports star will be no more, but to call yourself a professional athlete and get a paycheck because of it is all worth it.

As part of that rapid life evolution, McCants has already participated in his first season of minor league baseball, playing this past fall for the Marlins in the Florida Complex League. He produced a .224 batting average with four runs batted in and six walks, while learning from the next generation of MLB stars: Marlins shortstop Jazz Chisholm and pitcher Sixto Sanchez, just to name a couple.

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"I wasn't necessarily starstruck, but there were big leaguers I became good friends with. They were people who can lead the way and have been through what you're going through and can give tips and stuff," McCants said. "I thanked them for that, for putting me under their wing."

Their presence has helped to ease the fast transition from high school to the minors, both on and off the field. While that may be the case in any organization, McCants raved about the way the Marlins have treated him from day one. 

From management down to the players, everyone showed genuine care for the new draft pick. They got him into the daily mix like he'd been part of the team for ages, going about their business as usual. 

"They weren't big leaguing anybody or anything, they just treated everybody the same," McCants said. "It teaches me that when I get the chance to be where they are, I'll do the same."

To get to that stage, though, McCants knows that there are some challenges to endure. The first thing he noticed was how serious the training regimen is. The expectations are heightened, the workouts are particular and the time management is paramount.

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During fall league, players were expected on the field at 7 a.m. for practice. Then following a bright and early start to the day, he'd have to follow strict nutritional guidelines, making sure his body stayed up to par with the games physical demands.

"I always took workouts seriously, but I didn't have a set workout for the sport, or for what I needed and the nutrition and all that stuff," McCants said. "It was kind of work out a little bit, then go out there and be an athlete in high school."

But moving on to the minor league level has evened that playing field. Gone are the days, at least for now, of McCants stepping onto the diamond and being the best player. 

From batting .450 his senior year to .224 in his first year of pro ball, that's been proven. More-seasoned minor leaguers currently have the upper-hand because of the mental game, their baseball IQ.

McCants certainly doesn't lack in the skill department. As a prep player, he competed in some of the most competitive leagues worldwide, facing top-round MLB Draft talents. He was a participant in the 18U World Championship and the World Wood Bat Association. His senior year, his wood bat team took second place out of 230 teams.

So from a skills standpoint, he's fully prepared. But it's learning the subtle intricacies at this stage that McCants says will help him improve from year-to-year.

"You have the tools to play, but once you get to that level, everyone has the tools," McCants said. "It's like, who can out-think the other man? It's kind of like a game of chess out there on the field … it was a big adjustment for me."

Recently, McCants has returned home to tune up his game for the upcoming season. Widely expected to play with one of the Marlins A-level teams, he'll be taking yet another talent leap. 

Before that grind starts, the rookie wanted to enjoy the comforts of home. His new minor league life doesn't allow for much of it, so he's got to take the opportunities he does get. It's a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of South Florida and minor league baseball.

"I'm from the country, so no traffic really out there, all my family is out there. You can throw something on the grill and get a cookout Friday and Saturday in the summertime," McCants said. "In South Florida, there's always traffic, you can't really get those same cookouts with the family, throwing on some soul music, stuff like that."

Reigning from the countryside, Quintette, to be exact, McCants loves the small-town vibes that Pensacola offers. It'll always be his refuge, which is why he's here to do his offseason training. 

And no matter what path his career takes, he'll make giving back to the place that gave him so much a priority. Without it, he wouldn't have achieved the number of successes he has at just 19 years old.

"I love Pensacola … The love and support I got down here, it's been surreal," McCants said. "Anything I can do for them, I'll just do it."

As for now, McCants will be focused on doing exactly what got him in this position: enjoying the game. Money and celebrity status aside, he's a down-to-earth athlete that, no matter how different the pros are, won't change.

A year and many lifestyle alterations later, McCants is still the same guy.

"Still that kid that just loves to play … when you go out on that field, it just feels like you're having fun," McCants said. "Just go out there and show why you love the game, that's it." 

Lucas Semb can be reached at Lsemb@pensacol.gannett.com or 850-281-7414. Follow him on Twitter at @Lucas_Semb for stories and various Pensacola area score updates.