Minor League End Of Season Evaluations: Pitcher Jonathan Sanchez

NAME:  Jonathan Sanchez

POSITION: Pitcher

HEIGHT: 6-0

WEIGHT: 195 LBS

SEASON IN REVIEW:

When Sanchez was signed to a minor league deal some thought he would see time at the big league level since early in the season, the Dodgers had injuries at the back end of the rotation. Obviously this didn’t happen and Sanchez spent his year in Triple-A with the Albuquerque Isotopes.

With the Isotopes this season, Sanchez went 7-3, sporting an ERA of 5.13 in his 14 starts. In 66.2 innings pitched, Sanchez struck out 79 batters, while allowing 72 hits and 38 earned runs. Opposing hitters hit a scary .281 against him and he allowed 44 walks, something that’s plagued him recently.

I think the Dodgers were expecting a lot more from Sanchez when he was initially signed. At worst ,I think we were all expecting him to be in the Dodgers bullpen as a long relief option, but the additions of Ricky Nolasco, Carlos Marmol and Brian Wilson relegated him to the minors.

Sanchez is the typical player a team signs for organizational depth. Still only 30-years-old, Sanchez has bounced around after beginning his career with the Giants. It’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to resurrect his career as a starter or even left-handed specialist as lefties are hitting .210 against him while at the major league level.

FUTURE GOING FORWARD:

One thing is for certain, the Dodgers have a lot of pitching depth up-and-down their organization and while Sanchez could get another minor league deal, it’d be hard to imagine him pitching at the big league level.

The Dodgers will probably look to sign Ricky Nolasco and with Chad Billingsley and Josh Beckett making their way back from injury, the rotation is stacked. Like I said before, Sanchez could try and reinvent himself as a left-handed specialist, but would you trust him in a big league game?

Unfortunately for Sanchez, it looks like he’ll have to sign minor league deals in order to prove he’s capable of pitching in the big leagues, but expect him in a major league camp come spring training.

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In case you missed it, be sure to find out more about Hanley Ramirez’s hamstring injury.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkphTuNyf6A