Toronto Blue Jays: Aaron Sanchez Is Helping Fans Forget About David Price
The Toronto Blue Jays were ridiculed for not making an offer to their own free agent, David Price, in the offseason. Aaron Sanchez is doing all he can to help them forget.
The Toronto Blue Jays were a popular team to talk about last summer, and for good reason. Then-GM Alex Anthopoulos sold the farm for David Price and Troy Tulowitzki, and the team nearly reached the World Series. Many knew that Price’s demand in free agency would be too steep for the Jays, so they would need a new ace atop their pitching staff. Most looked to 25-year-old Marcus Stroman, who posted an ERA of 1.67 in four starts after returning from a torn ACL.
The Jays are currently only 2.5 games back of the division-leading Baltimore Orioles, and they are in the second Wild Card spot. They’ve been successful so far, but why? Troy Tulowitzki has not been producing at shortstop, Marcus Stroman is struggling mightily and Jose Bautista is on the DL. Many have pointed out Marco Estrada, reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson and slugger Edwin Encarnacion. However, the key to this season has been the emergence of Aaron Sanchez.
In 24 relief appearances in 2014, he posted a sparkling 1.09 ERA. He split time between the rotation and the bullpen last year, producing a solid 3.22 ERA. So this season hasn’t completely come out of nowhere. But he’s proving his worth to the Blue Jays this year. In 17 starts this season, he’s posted a 2.94 ERA, good enough for sixth in the AL. He’s posted 14 quality starts, tops in the league tied with Jon Lester, Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner. That’s some pretty good company.
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He’s been on an absolute tear recently, with an incredible 2.45 ERA in his last seven starts. Wins and losses still aren’t great stats for pitchers, but he is 9-1 thus far and hasn’t lost a decision since April 22. He’s flashing true ace potential, and the Blue Jays should be very excited.
So what is he doing differently? First of all, he’s reduced the amount of free passes he gives out; after walking 4.3 batters per nine innings last season, he’s only walked 2.8 per nine this season. Additionally, he’s increased his strikeouts per nine from 5.9 to 7.9. He’s thrown both his changeup and curveball more, and it’s been successful so far.
There are concerns about whether he’ll be able to stick in the rotation for the whole season, as he’s already surpassed his career high in innings pitched. Whether he remains in the rotation or is relegated to bullpen duty, Sanchez will continue to be a big part of the Blue Jays’ success this season.
David Price is being paid $30 million this year, while Sanchez is making the league minimum $500K. Price is having the worst season of his career, posting a 4.74 ERA and 95 ERA+. You would have thought the Blue Jays’ rotation would be missing him after his contributions last year, but thanks to Sanchez and Marco Estrada, the team’s ERA is only slightly worse at 3.87, down from 3.80 last year.
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The Toronto Blue Jays’ team is still built around a powerful offense that produces insane amounts of runs, but the pitching staff is doing all it can to contribute. The lineup gets all the attention, but Aaron Sanchez and Marco Estrada have proven that they are top-of-the-line pitchers, and that should come in very handy both in the hunt for the playoffs and in October.