Yankees: Looking for the Future

Age: 24
Height: 6′6″
Weight: 230
Drafted: Draft and Followed 31st Round, 2001, out of Rockland Community College. Traded to Yankees from Detroit Tigers along with Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett for Gary Sheffield.
Position: Starting Pitcher
Throws: Right

Stuff: Sanchez, when healthy, has some of the best stuff in the minor leagues. He has a plus very heavy 92-95 MPH fastball that tops out at 96, which breaks and misses bats as well as causing groundballs. His curveball is above averagae and developing and he has an average and developing changeup.

Control/Performance: Sanchez’s control is averagewhen he is in his normal velocity range. However, when his velocity is maxed out, he becomes very wild, although his wild pitches has been cut down since his early going in Detroit’s system. Thus, his command needs work. This can also be solved with him learning not feel the need to overthrow and also to calm down. Sanchez missed the year with Tommy John surgery, the latest of his health problems.

Outlook: If Sanchez was get healthy, he would have made the Yankees bullpen out of Spring Training. However, during that same period, he injured his elbow and had Tommy John surgery. He seemingly cannot throw more than 110 innings a year without being injured. Sanchez projects best out of the bullpen, for his health, and lack of four pitches, and will find good success as set-up man/closer reliever. If he is fully healthy in Spring Training he should make the team, as he is major-league ready.

Ceiling: B+/A-, Health: D+/C-, Comparison: Roberto Hernandez