Neal was born in Marlton, New Jersey and grew up in Haddon Heights, New Jersey. He attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, New Jersey and graduated in 1996. Although bothered by elbow problems throughout his high school career, Neal made a strong impression with a fastball that topped out at 93 miles per hour (150 km/h) and an ERA of 0.92. Virginia Commonwealth University offered him a full scholarship to play baseball, but Neal signed with the Florida Marlins, who picked him in the fourth round of the 1996 amateur draft and gave him a $400,000 signing bonus.\n', '

Neal spent the 1996 and 1997 seasons with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast Marlins but managed just seventeen appearances over those two seasons as his elbow continued to bother him. The Marlins sent Neal to the Low-A Utica Blue Sox in 1998 and attempted to convert him into a first baseman: in 53 games Neal batted just .190. His elbow felt better, and after the season underwent arthroscopic surgery. The surgery apparently worked: assigned to the Single-A Kane County Cougars for the 1999 season, Neal went 4-2 with a 2.32 ERA and six saves. After playing in the California Fall League, Neal spent 2000 with the High-A Brevard County Manatees, where he posted a 2.15 ERA with 11 saves.\n', '

The Marlins promoted Neal to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs for the 2001 where he continued to impress, recording 21 saves with an ERA of 2.36. In late August the Marlins recalled him to a spot on their expanded roster; Neal made his major league debut on September 3, 2001 in relief against the Chicago Cubs. Neal last 1​1⁄3 innings and gave up two runs on three hits. Neal made four appearances overall with an ERA of 11.82. Neal split the 2002 season between the Triple-A Calgary Cannons and the Marlins. In Calgary he worked as a closer and recorded 11 saves with a 2.90 ERA. Up with the Marlins he worked out of the bullpen, and finished the season with a 3-0 record and a 2.73 ERA. On the four transitions between Calgary and Miami, Marlins assistant general manager Jim Fleming commented: "He went back and forth between clubs, and that\'s a tough way to pitch. But he\'s had a solid year."\n', '

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