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Blue Jays MiLB News: Sanchez Bounces Back

By Wayne Cavadi|

The Toronto Blue Jays’ No. 2 prospect Aaron Sanchez bounced back with a strong start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sanchez fared much better than he did in his spring debut against the same Pirates team when he couldn’t get out of the second inning. A few more performances like the one yesterday and Sanchez seems to be a lock for the Opening Day roster.

Sanchez is the 22-year old right hander who was drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft. He was selected in the first round of a draft that saw the Blue Jays draft the Noah Syndergaard and Justin Nicolino. All three are top prospects within their own systems, but the Blue Jays seemingly made the right choice holding onto Sanchez as he seems perfect for their future. 

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Sanchez had an impressive minor league career. He became more of a household name after his 2013 Arizona Fall League performance when he earned AFL Rising Stars honors and was named to the AFL All-Prospect Team. Last season, the Blue Jays called him up to the Big Show, and he did not disappoint. Sanchez was a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities while posting a 1.09 ERA and 0.70 WHIP in his 24 appearance debut.

Now Sanchez is in camp seemingly in a competition for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. Sanchez seems more suited to be the back-end bullpen help that the Blue Jays need, while fellow top prospect Daniel Norris slips into the starting role. That doesn’t bother Sanchez though.

“I want to be in the big leagues,” Sanchez said in an interview with MLB.com. “We’ve got a chance to win a lot of games this year. Look at the guys we picked up. It’s no secret to who we got in our lineup. These guys can hit the ball well. For me, I just want to be a part of it.”

Sanchez struggled in his first outing, although he showed off his blazing fastball. He went 1.1 innings in the Blue Jays spring training opener, allowing 5 runs (although only two were earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out none. Known as a ground ball inducing pitcher, Sanchez got in trouble by allowing a 3-run home run to Pirates’ inconsistent slugger Pedro Alvarez.

Sunday was another story. Sanchez came out and aside from a third inning walk, the righty was perfect. Sanchez had consecutive three-up-three-down innings to start the game and retired his seventh batter in a row before Brett Morel drew a four pitch walk. Sanchez responded by getting a first pitch pop out to the next batter and striking out Steve Lombardozzi to end his final inning pitched on the day.

“I think going back to my first start it was more about just making sure I felt good, making sure my fastball command was there,” Sanchez told MLB.com. “That was really the first time I got to face hitters … so to get back out there and get my feet wet and then go out there and do what I did today it’s just something to build off of. I felt good out there and just take it through the next five days.”

Sanchez showed great control of his signature fastball, hitting 95 miles per hour consistently. He also used his power curve to his advantage. Sanchez’s fastball-curve combination has been widely considered one of the best in Minor League baseball. His changeup is a bit behind, which is why, for the time being, Sanchez may be more suited for the bullpen with two solid pitches until he develops his third.

Where ever he winds ups, Sanchez seems destined for the Opening Day roster. While he may be more suited for the bullpen now, Sanchez is without doubt going to be a Major League starter for years to come. This is an exciting time for the Blue Jays. If their pitching finally catches up to the power of their lineup, the AL East may be looking at a changing of the guard.

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