Sixto Sanchez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #5 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Sanchez was signed by the Phillies in 2015 and was their top prospect before being traded to the Marlins in February 2019 as the centerpiece of the deal that brought catcher JT Realmuto to Philadelphia. Sanchez dazzled in his big league debut during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, showing the stuff to potentially fill a huge hole at the top of Miami's rotation. He took the ball in Game 3 of that year's Division Series, which turned out to be the final game of the Marlins' season. He allowed four runs in three innings in that outing, which proved to be the last time he pitched in an official game. He had surgery in July 2021 to repair a tear in his right shoulder, then spent all of 2022 rehabbing. He had a second surgery on his shoulder in October 2022, this time an arthroscopic bursectomy, and was expected to be ready for 2023 spring training.
  
  Scouting Report: When he is healthy, Sanchez is absolutely filthy. He slices and dices hitters with a powerful arsenal that features two double-plus pitches in his fastball and changeup as well as a pair of above-average breaking balls. The mix gave him weapons against batters of either hand. Even more impressively, Sanchez showed excellent control and command of his arsenal. Sanchez is rarely healthy, however, and there has been plenty of concern in the past over his overall level of conditioning and fitness. Given Sanchez's lengthy absence, there will be plenty of questions to answer once he returns.
  
  The Future: If Sanchez makes it to the mound this spring in Jupiter, all eyes will be on him. If his stuff returns intact, he could begin a long climb back to his ceiling as a high-end rotation piece, though the calculus behind his workload will be tricky given his two-year hiatus. For now, all Sanchez and the Marlins can do is wait and hope.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 70. Control: 60
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #3 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: After making seven dominant starts for the Marlins during the shortened 2020 season, Sanchez was expected to take his place atop the Marlins’ rotation and vault into stardom in 2021. Instead, he didn’t throw a single pitch. Injuries and setbacks plagued Sanchez all season long, eventually culminating in surgery in July to repair a capsular tear in his right shoulder.
  
  Scouting Report: When healthy, Sanchez mixes an elite fastball that averages 99 mph with a devastating, plus-plus changeup that plays well against both righthanded and lefthanded hitters. Both of his breaking balls play average or better as well, with his slider a potentially plus pitch and his curveball just a tick behind. Sanchez is one of the rare power pitchers with plus control of his stuff, giving him a rare package of precision and power few pitchers in the majors or minors can match. Sanchez has long had concerns about his health and durability and he tailed off in the postseason during his dominant 2020 showing. His success masked the fact that he had gotten quite heavy, which adds to the list of things that will need to be watched as he develops.
  
  The Future: Sanchez is tentatively expected to be ready for 2022 spring training. If Sanchez’s stuff returns intact after he completed his rehab, he should resume his place near the top of the Marlins’ rotation.
  
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #1 prospect in 2021
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 55. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 55. Control: 60
  TRACK RECORD: Signed originally by the Phillies for $35,000 in July 2015, Sanchez was part of the return the Marlins received when they traded away J.T. Realmuto after the 2018 season. After Sanchez pitched just 46.2 innings at high Class A in his final season with the Phillies due to right elbow inflammation, the Marlins eased him into his first season in their organization. He pitched a combined 114 innings at high Class A and Double-A, where he went 8-4, 2.53 with 97 strikeouts and 19 walks. In 2020, Sanchez made his big league debut in late August and quickly became a fixture in the Marlins’ rotation. Sanchez impressed enough to earn a steady spot in the playoff rotation along with Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez.
  SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez’s headlining pitch is a double-plus fastball with solid life that averaged nearly 99 mph— the third-highest velocity in the majors in 2020. He touched triple-digits eight times, peaking at 101 mph. Sanchez also throws a two- seamer in the upper 90s with powerful sink. He made great strides with his changeup, his most frequently thrown offspeed pitch. The double-plus offering has solid dive and proved equally tough against lefties and righties, who hit .152 and .145 against the pitch, respectively. His power slider has plus potential, as does a curveball with solid break he used as an additional out pitch. Sanchez is an advanced strike-thrower with a smooth, clean delivery who pitches with a quick yet composed pace. Injury concerns about his elbow have quieted, and he exhibited some of the same plus or better control he did in the minors during his first major league season. Consistency will be key for Sanchez, who struck out 8.2 and walked 1.4 per nine innings during his first five starts and a 3-to-1 strikeout-towalk ratio overall. Those numbers somewhat masked a tough finish to the season during which he allowed nine earned runs in seven innings, with six walks and four strikeouts.
  THE FUTURE: After bypassing Triple-A with no minor league season in 2020, Sanchez demonstrated the composure of an ace in his major league debut and appears ready to open 2021 with a regular spot in the rotation. Sanchez was already slotted among the Marlins’ top three starters during the 2020 playoffs and should remain a frontline starter if he continues to progress in spring training. Sanchez has the highest upside of any pitcher in the organization, perhaps even perennial all-star potential, with continued development of his fastball command and control of his secondary pitches.
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #1 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Originally signed by the Phillies for $35,000 in July 2015, Sanchez was traded to the Marlins in the Feb. 2019 trade for J.T. Realmuto. Prior to the trade, Sanchez established himself as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball on the strength of an explosive three-pitch arsenal. A 6-foot, 185-pound righthander, he struggled with right elbow inflammation in 2018, restricting him to just 46.2 innings in his final season with the Phillies. Sanchez enjoyed good health in 2019, pitched a career-high 114 innings and reached Double-A for the first time. Sanchez was the top-ranked pitching prospect in the Southern League, posting a 8-4, 2.53 record with 97 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 103 innings.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez's three-pitch mix is headlined by a mid- to upper-90s fastball that can touch 101 mph. Complementing his double-plus fastball is a pair of above-average-to-plus secondary offerings in an upper-80s changeup with good sinking action and a hard, power slider that features two-plane tilt. Perhaps even more impressive than his stuff is Sanchez's ability to control all three offerings. He is an advanced strike-thrower with plus or better control, and he walked fewer than 1.7 batters per nine innings at both of his stops in 2019. A converted infielder, Sanchez is a good athlete whose control is aided by his relatively clean, smooth delivery. Previous concerns about Sanchez's elbow injury and his smaller stature limiting his effectiveness as a starter seemed to have quieted after an effective 2019. In all, he is one of the few pitching prospects still in the minors who can combine premium velocity, multiple swing-and-miss offspeed offerings, plus control and an easy, athletic delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Sanchez will participate in big league spring training with the Marlins in 2020, but the likely scenario remains that he opens the regular season in Triple-A. A major league debut sometime next summer or in September is possible, but the Marlins seem content to let Sanchez continue to gain experience and build innings in the minors before finally breaking through with a regular rotation spot in 2021. Sanchez has the highest upside of any pitcher in the organization, and the Marlins hope he can be the frontline starter the franchise will need as it rises from its latest rebuilding effort.
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #1 prospect in 2019
  Track record: At a tryout for a Cuban catcher, the Phillies were instead drawn to Sanchez, an eligible 16-year-old converted catcher who had quick, easy arm action and a fastball that reached the low 90s. They signed him shortly after that for $35,000. Sanchez spent his first year getting acclimated in the Dominican Summer League, then had a breakthrough in 2016 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he led the league with an 0.50 ERA while running his fastball up to 98 mph. Sanchez became one of the game's elite pitching prospects in 2017, reaching high Class A Clearwater just after his 19th birthday and touching 100 mph. In 2018, Sanchez showed electric stuff but made just eight starts before being shut down for the year with right elbow inflammation. The Phillies had hoped Sanchez would pitch in the Arizona Fall League, but a sore collarbone prevented him from playing there. They then included Sanchez as the primary piece in a trade to the Marlins for J.T. Realmuto in early February.
  
  Scouting Report: Few pitching prospects in the minors can match Sanchez's blend of premium stuff, control and easy, athletic delivery. His fastball explodes on hitters, parking in the mid-90s and regularly touching 100 mph. Unlike many other young flamethrowers, Sanchez doesn't have any issues throwing his fastball over the plate, as he's an advanced strike-thrower who and he projects to have plus or better control. While the injury cut Sanchez's 2018 season short, he still showed exciting progress by turning his slider into a wipeout pitch with two-plane tilt that misses bats against both lefties and righties. That's in addition to his changeup, which flashes plus with good sink and running action. If Sanchez can maintain the progress he showed with his slider before getting injured, his strikeout rate could spike as he mixes that in and gains a better understanding of how to sequence hitters. He is a good athlete who fields his position well and generates his velocity without much effort to his mechanics.
  
  The Future: The 95 innings Sanchez threw in 2017 were a career high, so he still has to prove his durability. But if he shows he can handle a starter's workload, he could develop into a true frontline starter along the lines of the Yankees' Luis Severino. He's advanced enough to go to Double-A Jacksonville in 2019 with a chance to get to Miami by the end of the season.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #2 prospect in 2018
  At a tryout for a Cuban catcher, it was Sanchez instead who grabbed the Phillies' attention. They quickly signed him for $35,000, and after a breakout 2016 season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, he continued his ascension in 2017. He reached high Class A Clearwater in August as one of the best pitching prospects in the game. Sanchez is one of the hardest-throwing starting pitchers in the minors, but you wouldn't know it from his delivery. He has easy, fluid mechanics that he repeats consistently, helping him command a lively fastball that sits in the mid-90s and touches 100 mph. Sanchez can overpower hitters with his fastball, though he's working to polish his secondary pitches to miss more bats. His changeup flashes plus with good sink and run, and it helps him thwart lefties, though he needs to do a better job of repeating the same arm slot as his fastball on the pitch. His slider is average now but could be above-average if he can add more power to that pitch. Sanchez's fastball command should help him continue to move quickly, with a chance to join the big league rotation by 2019 and develop into a front-line starter along the lines of the Yankees' Luis Severino.
• 
  Ranked Philadelphia Phillies #5 prospect in 2017
  Phillies special assistant Bart Braun was at a workout in the Dominican Republic to scout a Cuban catcher. The player who caught his eye was Sanchez, the 16-year-old pitcher throwing to him, so the Phillies moved quickly to sign him for $35,000. When Sanchez jumped to U.S. in 2016, his stuff and stock soared as he overmatched hitters while leading the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League with a 0.50 ERA. He finished off his season with seven scoreless innings in the GCL playoffs. Prior to signing with the Phillies, Sanchez worked out for teams as an infielder, but he shows polish on the mound with an easy delivery. His explosive fastball sits at 92-96 mph and can reach 99 with good movement--a combination of sink and armside run that helps him generate weak contact. He's a good athlete who commands his fastball well for his age to all areas of the strike zone. Between his curveball and changeup, Sanchez has two offspeed pitches that flash plus and with more consistency should allow his strikeout rate to jump. He sells his changeup with good arm speed, and it runs away form lefthanded batters with good sinking action. He fields his position well. Sanchez is advanced enough to jump to low Class A Lakewood in 2017, with a chance to develop into a No. 2 or 3 starter.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #4 prospect in 2019
  The Marlins acquired Sanchez in February as the key prospect exchanged for J.T. Realmuto. But because Sanchez missed all but eight starts in 2018 with elbow inflammation, Miami kept its new top prospect in extended spring training until May to manage his workload. Sanchez successfully navigated the final four months of the Southern League season, showing big time poise and arm speed from a modest, 6-foot frame. He pitches in the mid- to upper 90s and rears back for 101 mph when he needs it. Sanchez can work north with his riding fastball and south with a plus, upper-80s changeup that sinks under opponents’ bats. Sanchez has exquisite control for a young power pitcher, and his power slider has made strides to become a third weapon. Some scouts worry about Sanchez’s stuff holding up as a starter because of his size; other scouts don’t because of his athleticism.
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #4 prospect in 2018
  Sanchez's season was mostly shelved because of lingering tenderness in his elbow. He pitched just enough to qualify for the FSL ranking and in that time made a big enough impression on talent evaluators to rank as the league's top pitching prospect. Scouts who saw Sanchez this year saw two top-of-the-scale pitches in his fastball and slider, as well as an above-average changeup that gave him a three-pitch mix that rivaled nearly any other pitcher. He paired his arsenal with advanced pitchability that allowed him to toy with lesser hitters while saving his focus for the middle of the order and big situations. Health was the only ding on Sanchez's record this year. If he had stayed at full strength he could have fit easily in the Phillies' big league bullpen down the stretch. He has all the makings of a future No. 1 starter.
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #1 prospect in 2017
  The Phillies didn't want to stretch Sanchez out too much in 2017. He was kept on a tight pitch limit while in Lakewood–he never topped 80 pitches and usually was held to between 65-75. But he still managed to go five or more innings nearly every time out because of how efficient he was. Sanchez is the rare 18-year-old who combines exceptional stuff (95-100 mph fastball) and advanced control. His command in the zone continues to improve, but his ability to throw strikes is already above-average. Shorter pitchers (Sanchez is 6-foot) often have a problem with home runs because their fastball lacks plane. It's not been an issue for Sanchez, as he's allowed one home run in three pro seasons. Sanchez's curveball, slider and changeup all show flashes of being above-average pitches, but none of the trio is yet there. That's about the biggest complaint anyone lodged against one of baseball's best young pitching prospects. His combination of stuff and control makes him much more advanced than the average teenager.
• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #7 prospect in 2016
  Phillies special assistant Bart Braun was in the Dominican Republic scouting a Cuban catcher at a workout when he came away more impressed by Sanchez, the 16-year-old eligible pitcher throwing to him in the low 90s. Sanchez, who had previously worked out for teams as an infielder, signed with the Phillies for $35,000, then saw his status skyrocket as he allowed just four runs in 11 starts to claim the ERA title at 0.50. Sanchez has an easy delivery and pounds the strike zone with an explosive fastball that sits 92-96 mph and touches 98 with solid sink and armside run that leads to weak contact. He commands his fastball well for his age and uses it in all quadrants of the strike zone. He has two secondary pitches that flash plus, including his breaking ball. His changeup runs away from lefthanded batter with good downward action. He's athletic and fields his position like an infielder.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #64 prospect in 2022
• Ranked Baseball America's #6 prospect in 2021
• Ranked Baseball America's #16 prospect in 2020
• Ranked Baseball America's #13 prospect in 2019
• Ranked Baseball America's #25 prospect in 2018
• Ranked Baseball America's #80 prospect in 2017

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Sanchez was signed by the Phillies in 2015 and was their top prospect before being traded to the Marlins in February 2019 as the centerpiece of the deal that brought catcher JT Realmuto to Philadelphia. Sanchez dazzled in his big league debut during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, showing the stuff to potentially fill a huge hole at the top of Miami's rotation. He took the ball in Game 3 of that year's Division Series, which turned out to be the final game of the Marlins' season. He allowed four runs in three innings in that outing, which proved to be the last time he pitched in an official game. He had surgery in July 2021 to repair a tear in his right shoulder, then spent all of 2022 rehabbing. He had a second surgery on his shoulder in October 2022, this time an arthroscopic bursectomy, and was expected to be ready for 2023 spring training.
  
  Scouting Report: When he is healthy, Sanchez is absolutely filthy. He slices and dices hitters with a powerful arsenal that features two double-plus pitches in his fastball and changeup as well as a pair of above-average breaking balls. The mix gave him weapons against batters of either hand. Even more impressively, Sanchez showed excellent control and command of his arsenal. Sanchez is rarely healthy, however, and there has been plenty of concern in the past over his overall level of conditioning and fitness. Given Sanchez's lengthy absence, there will be plenty of questions to answer once he returns.
  
  The Future: If Sanchez makes it to the mound this spring in Jupiter, all eyes will be on him. If his stuff returns intact, he could begin a long climb back to his ceiling as a high-end rotation piece, though the calculus behind his workload will be tricky given his two-year hiatus. For now, all Sanchez and the Marlins can do is wait and hope.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 70. Control: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Sanchez was signed by the Phillies in 2015 and was their top prospect before being traded to the Marlins in February 2019 as the centerpiece of the deal that brought catcher JT Realmuto to Philadelphia. Sanchez dazzled in his big league debut during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, showing the stuff to potentially fill a huge hole at the top of Miami's rotation. He took the ball in Game 3 of that year's Division Series, which turned out to be the final game of the Marlins' season. He allowed four runs in three innings in that outing, which proved to be the last time he pitched in an official game. He had surgery in July 2021 to repair a tear in his right shoulder, then spent all of 2022 rehabbing. He had a second surgery on his shoulder in October 2022, this time an arthroscopic bursectomy, and was expected to be ready for 2023 spring training.
  
  Scouting Report: When he is healthy, Sanchez is absolutely filthy. He slices and dices hitters with a powerful arsenal that features two double-plus pitches in his fastball and changeup as well as a pair of above-average breaking balls. The mix gave him weapons against batters of either hand. Even more impressively, Sanchez showed excellent control and command of his arsenal. Sanchez is rarely healthy, however, and there has been plenty of concern in the past over his overall level of conditioning and fitness. Given Sanchez's lengthy absence, there will be plenty of questions to answer once he returns.
  
  The Future: If Sanchez makes it to the mound this spring in Jupiter, all eyes will be on him. If his stuff returns intact, he could begin a long climb back to his ceiling as a high-end rotation piece, though the calculus behind his workload will be tricky given his two-year hiatus. For now, all Sanchez and the Marlins can do is wait and hope.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 70. Control: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/Extreme
  
  Track Record: After a dominant seven-start turn in the shortened 2020 season, this was supposed to be the year when Sanchez took his place atop the Marlins&#39 rotation and vaulted into stardom. Instead, he didn&#39t throw a single pitch. Injuries and setbacks plagued Sanchez all season long, eventually culminating in surgery in July to repair a capsular tear in his right shoulder. The hope is he will be ready for 2022 spring training.
  
  Scouting Report: At his peak, Sanchez was sublime. He mixed a truly elite fastball that averaged roughly 99 mph with a devastating changeup that ranked as a potentially double-plus pitch and played well against righthanded and lefthanded hitters. Both of his breaking balls played as average or better as well, with the slider a potentially plus pitch and his curveball just a tick behind. His results tailed off as the season went along, and he appeared the Marlins&#39 playoff series against the Braves. Sanchez&#39s success masked the fact that he had gotten quite heavy, which adds to the list of things that will need to be watched as he develops.
  
  The Future: If Sanchez&#39s stuff returns intact after he&#39s completed his rehab, then Sanchez&#39s future is still plenty bright and he should resume his place near the top of the Marlins&#39 rotation. There are plenty of hurdles to navigate before that point, however, so he will be worth monitoring once he gets back on the mound this spring.
  
  Scouting Grades: Fastball: 80. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 70. Control: 60.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: After making seven dominant starts for the Marlins during the shortened 2020 season, Sanchez was expected to take his place atop the Marlins’ rotation and vault into stardom in 2021. Instead, he didn’t throw a single pitch. Injuries and setbacks plagued Sanchez all season long, eventually culminating in surgery in July to repair a capsular tear in his right shoulder.
  
  Scouting Report: When healthy, Sanchez mixes an elite fastball that averages 99 mph with a devastating, plus-plus changeup that plays well against both righthanded and lefthanded hitters. Both of his breaking balls play average or better as well, with his slider a potentially plus pitch and his curveball just a tick behind. Sanchez is one of the rare power pitchers with plus control of his stuff, giving him a rare package of precision and power few pitchers in the majors or minors can match. Sanchez has long had concerns about his health and durability and he tailed off in the postseason during his dominant 2020 showing. His success masked the fact that he had gotten quite heavy, which adds to the list of things that will need to be watched as he develops.
  
  The Future: Sanchez is tentatively expected to be ready for 2022 spring training. If Sanchez’s stuff returns intact after he completed his rehab, he should resume his place near the top of the Marlins’ rotation.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 55. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 55. Control: 60
  TRACK RECORD: Signed originally by the Phillies for $35,000 in July 2015, Sanchez was part of the return the Marlins received when they traded away J.T. Realmuto after the 2018 season. After Sanchez pitched just 46.2 innings at high Class A in his final season with the Phillies due to right elbow inflammation, the Marlins eased him into his first season in their organization. He pitched a combined 114 innings at high Class A and Double-A, where he went 8-4, 2.53 with 97 strikeouts and 19 walks. In 2020, Sanchez made his big league debut in late August and quickly became a fixture in the Marlins' rotation. Sanchez impressed enough to earn a steady spot in the playoff rotation along with Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez.
  SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez's headlining pitch is a double-plus fastball with solid life that averaged nearly 99 mph— the third-highest velocity in the majors in 2020. He touched triple-digits eight times, peaking at 101 mph. Sanchez also throws a two- seamer in the upper 90s with powerful sink. He made great strides with his changeup, his most frequently thrown offspeed pitch. The double-plus offering has solid dive and proved equally tough against lefties and righties, who hit .152 and .145 against the pitch, respectively. His power slider has plus potential, as does a curveball with solid break he used as an additional out pitch. Sanchez is an advanced strike-thrower with a smooth, clean delivery who pitches with a quick yet composed pace. Injury concerns about his elbow have quieted, and he exhibited some of the same plus or better control he did in the minors during his first major league season. Consistency will be key for Sanchez, who struck out 8.2 and walked 1.4 per nine innings during his first five starts and a 3-to-1 strikeout-towalk ratio overall. Those numbers somewhat masked a tough finish to the season during which he allowed nine earned runs in seven innings, with six walks and four strikeouts.
  THE FUTURE: After bypassing Triple-A with no minor league season in 2020, Sanchez demonstrated the composure of an ace in his major league debut and appears ready to open 2021 with a regular spot in the rotation. Sanchez was already slotted among the Marlins' top three starters during the 2020 playoffs and should remain a frontline starter if he continues to progress in spring training. Sanchez has the highest upside of any pitcher in the organization, perhaps even perennial all-star potential, with continued development of his fastball command and control of his secondary pitches.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 55. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 55. Control: 60
  TRACK RECORD: Signed originally by the Phillies for $35,000 in July 2015, Sanchez was part of the return the Marlins received when they traded away J.T. Realmuto after the 2018 season. After Sanchez pitched just 46.2 innings at high Class A in his final season with the Phillies due to right elbow inflammation, the Marlins eased him into his first season in their organization. He pitched a combined 114 innings at high Class A and Double-A, where he went 8-4, 2.53 with 97 strikeouts and 19 walks. In 2020, Sanchez made his big league debut in late August and quickly became a fixture in the Marlins’ rotation. Sanchez impressed enough to earn a steady spot in the playoff rotation along with Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez.
  SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez’s headlining pitch is a double-plus fastball with solid life that averaged nearly 99 mph— the third-highest velocity in the majors in 2020. He touched triple-digits eight times, peaking at 101 mph. Sanchez also throws a two- seamer in the upper 90s with powerful sink. He made great strides with his changeup, his most frequently thrown offspeed pitch. The double-plus offering has solid dive and proved equally tough against lefties and righties, who hit .152 and .145 against the pitch, respectively. His power slider has plus potential, as does a curveball with solid break he used as an additional out pitch. Sanchez is an advanced strike-thrower with a smooth, clean delivery who pitches with a quick yet composed pace. Injury concerns about his elbow have quieted, and he exhibited some of the same plus or better control he did in the minors during his first major league season. Consistency will be key for Sanchez, who struck out 8.2 and walked 1.4 per nine innings during his first five starts and a 3-to-1 strikeout-towalk ratio overall. Those numbers somewhat masked a tough finish to the season during which he allowed nine earned runs in seven innings, with six walks and four strikeouts.
  THE FUTURE: After bypassing Triple-A with no minor league season in 2020, Sanchez demonstrated the composure of an ace in his major league debut and appears ready to open 2021 with a regular spot in the rotation. Sanchez was already slotted among the Marlins’ top three starters during the 2020 playoffs and should remain a frontline starter if he continues to progress in spring training. Sanchez has the highest upside of any pitcher in the organization, perhaps even perennial all-star potential, with continued development of his fastball command and control of his secondary pitches.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Fastball: 70. Slider: 55. Changeup: 70. Curveball: 55. Control: 60
  TRACK RECORD: Signed originally by the Phillies for $35,000 in July 2015, Sanchez was part of the return the Marlins received when they traded away J.T. Realmuto after the 2018 season. After Sanchez pitched just 46.2 innings at high Class A in his final season with the Phillies due to right elbow inflammation, the Marlins eased him into his first season in their organization. He pitched a combined 114 innings at high Class A and Double-A, where he went 8-4, 2.53 with 97 strikeouts and 19 walks. In 2020, Sanchez made his big league debut in late August and quickly became a fixture in the Marlins’ rotation. Sanchez impressed enough to earn a steady spot in the playoff rotation along with Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez.
  SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez’s headlining pitch is a double-plus fastball with solid life that averaged nearly 99 mph— the third-highest velocity in the majors in 2020. He touched triple-digits eight times, peaking at 101 mph. Sanchez also throws a two- seamer in the upper 90s with powerful sink. He made great strides with his changeup, his most frequently thrown offspeed pitch. The double-plus offering has solid dive and proved equally tough against lefties and righties, who hit .152 and .145 against the pitch, respectively. His power slider has plus potential, as does a curveball with solid break he used as an additional out pitch. Sanchez is an advanced strike-thrower with a smooth, clean delivery who pitches with a quick yet composed pace. Injury concerns about his elbow have quieted, and he exhibited some of the same plus or better control he did in the minors during his first major league season. Consistency will be key for Sanchez, who struck out 8.2 and walked 1.4 per nine innings during his first five starts and a 3-to-1 strikeout-towalk ratio overall. Those numbers somewhat masked a tough finish to the season during which he allowed nine earned runs in seven innings, with six walks and four strikeouts.
  THE FUTURE: After bypassing Triple-A with no minor league season in 2020, Sanchez demonstrated the composure of an ace in his major league debut and appears ready to open 2021 with a regular spot in the rotation. Sanchez was already slotted among the Marlins’ top three starters during the 2020 playoffs and should remain a frontline starter if he continues to progress in spring training. Sanchez has the highest upside of any pitcher in the organization, perhaps even perennial all-star potential, with continued development of his fastball command and control of his secondary pitches.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Originally signed by the Phillies for $35,000 in July 2015, Sanchez was traded to the Marlins in the Feb. 2019 trade for J.T. Realmuto. Prior to the trade, Sanchez established himself as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball on the strength of an explosive three-pitch arsenal. A 6-foot, 185-pound righthander, he struggled with right elbow inflammation in 2018, restricting him to just 46.2 innings in his final season with the Phillies. Sanchez enjoyed good health in 2019, pitched a career-high 114 innings and reached Double-A for the first time. Sanchez was the top-ranked pitching prospect in the Southern League, posting a 8-4, 2.53 record with 97 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 103 innings.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez’s three-pitch mix is headlined by a mid- to upper-90s fastball that can touch 101 mph. Complementing his double-plus fastball is a pair of above-average-to-plus secondary offerings in an upper-80s changeup with good sinking action and a hard, power slider that features two-plane tilt. Perhaps even more impressive than his stuff is Sanchez’s ability to control all three offerings. He is an advanced strike-thrower with plus or better control, and he walked fewer than 1.7 batters per nine innings at both of his stops in 2019. A converted infielder, Sanchez is a good athlete whose control is aided by his relatively clean, smooth delivery. Previous concerns about Sanchez’s elbow injury and his smaller stature limiting his effectiveness as a starter seemed to have quieted after an effective 2019. In all, he is one of the few pitching prospects still in the minors who can combine premium velocity, multiple swing-and-miss offspeed offerings, plus control and an easy, athletic delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Sanchez will participate in big league spring training with the Marlins in 2020, but the likely scenario remains that he opens the regular season in Triple-A. A major league debut sometime next summer or in September is possible, but the Marlins seem content to let Sanchez continue to gain experience and build innings in the minors before finally breaking through with a regular rotation spot in 2021. Sanchez has the highest upside of any pitcher in the organization, and the Marlins hope he can be the frontline starter the franchise will need as it rises from its latest rebuilding effort. SCOUTING GRADES Fastball: 70. Changeup: 60. Slider: 50. Control: 60. BA GRADE 65 Risk: High
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Originally signed by the Phillies for $35,000 in July 2015, Sanchez was traded to the Marlins in the Feb. 2019 trade for J.T. Realmuto. Prior to the trade, Sanchez established himself as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball on the strength of an explosive three-pitch arsenal. A 6-foot, 185-pound righthander, he struggled with right elbow inflammation in 2018, restricting him to just 46.2 innings in his final season with the Phillies. Sanchez enjoyed good health in 2019, pitched a career-high 114 innings and reached Double-A for the first time. Sanchez was the top-ranked pitching prospect in the Southern League, posting a 8-4, 2.53 record with 97 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 103 innings.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez's three-pitch mix is headlined by a mid- to upper-90s fastball that can touch 101 mph. Complementing his double-plus fastball is a pair of above-average-to-plus secondary offerings in an upper-80s changeup with good sinking action and a hard, power slider that features two-plane tilt. Perhaps even more impressive than his stuff is Sanchez's ability to control all three offerings. He is an advanced strike-thrower with plus or better control, and he walked fewer than 1.7 batters per nine innings at both of his stops in 2019. A converted infielder, Sanchez is a good athlete whose control is aided by his relatively clean, smooth delivery. Previous concerns about Sanchez's elbow injury and his smaller stature limiting his effectiveness as a starter seemed to have quieted after an effective 2019. In all, he is one of the few pitching prospects still in the minors who can combine premium velocity, multiple swing-and-miss offspeed offerings, plus control and an easy, athletic delivery.
  
  THE FUTURE: Sanchez will participate in big league spring training with the Marlins in 2020, but the likely scenario remains that he opens the regular season in Triple-A. A major league debut sometime next summer or in September is possible, but the Marlins seem content to let Sanchez continue to gain experience and build innings in the minors before finally breaking through with a regular rotation spot in 2021. Sanchez has the highest upside of any pitcher in the organization, and the Marlins hope he can be the frontline starter the franchise will need as it rises from its latest rebuilding effort.
• August, 2019 Scouting Report
  Track record: At a tryout for a Cuban catcher, the Phillies were instead drawn to Sanchez, an eligible 16-year-old converted catcher who had quick, easy arm action and a fastball that reached the low 90s. They signed him shortly after that for $35,000. Sanchez spent his first year getting acclimated in the Dominican Summer League, then had a breakthrough in 2016 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he led the league with an 0.50 ERA while running his fastball up to 98 mph. Sanchez became one of the game's elite pitching prospects in 2017, reaching high Class A Clearwater just after his 19th birthday and touching 100 mph. In 2018, Sanchez showed electric stuff but made just eight starts before being shut down for the year with right elbow inflammation. The Phillies had hoped Sanchez would pitch in the Arizona Fall League, but a sore collarbone prevented him from playing there. They then included Sanchez as the primary piece in a trade to the Marlins for J.T. Realmuto in early February.
  
  Scouting Report: Few pitching prospects in the minors can match Sanchez's blend of premium stuff, control and easy, athletic delivery. His fastball explodes on hitters, parking in the mid-90s and regularly touching 100 mph. Unlike many other young flamethrowers, Sanchez doesn't have any issues throwing his fastball over the plate, as he's an advanced strike-thrower who and he projects to have plus or better control. While the injury cut Sanchez's 2018 season short, he still showed exciting progress by turning his slider into a wipeout pitch with two-plane tilt that misses bats against both lefties and righties. That's in addition to his changeup, which flashes plus with good sink and running action. If Sanchez can maintain the progress he showed with his slider before getting injured, his strikeout rate could spike as he mixes that in and gains a better understanding of how to sequence hitters. He is a good athlete who fields his position well and generates his velocity without much effort to his mechanics.
  
  The Future: The 95 innings Sanchez threw in 2017 were a career high, so he still has to prove his durability. But if he shows he can handle a starter's workload, he could develop into a true frontline starter along the lines of the Yankees' Luis Severino. He's advanced enough to go to Double-A Jacksonville in 2019 with a chance to get to Miami by the end of the season.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  The Marlins acquired Sanchez in February as the key prospect exchanged for J.T. Realmuto. But because Sanchez missed all but eight starts in 2018 with elbow inflammation, Miami kept its new top prospect in extended spring training until May to manage his workload. Sanchez successfully navigated the final four months of the Southern League season, showing big time poise and arm speed from a modest, 6-foot frame. He pitches in the mid- to upper 90s and rears back for 101 mph when he needs it. Sanchez can work north with his riding fastball and south with a plus, upper-80s changeup that sinks under opponents’ bats. Sanchez has exquisite control for a young power pitcher, and his power slider has made strides to become a third weapon. Some scouts worry about Sanchez’s stuff holding up as a starter because of his size; other scouts don’t because of his athleticism.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Sanchez is one of the best pitching prospects in the game, a potential frontline starter who shares similarities with Yankees ace Luis Severino. Sanchez throws a mid-to-upper-90s fastball that can scrape 100 mph, and while many young power arms struggle with their control, Sanchez fills the strike zone with strong fastball command. He throws a plus slider and an average changeup, with a handful of high-strikeout games that have come when he has sequenced his pitches well. Right elbow inflammation has kept Sanchez out since June 3, but he’s expected to be throwing again by late July and could be pitching in games again in August.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: At a tryout for a Cuban catcher, it was Sanchez instead who grabbed the Phillies' attention. They quickly signed him for $35,000, and after a breakout 2016 season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, he continued his ascension in 2017--he reached high Class A Clearwater in August--as one of the best pitching prospects in the game. Scouting Report: Sanchez is one of the hardest-throwing starting pitchers in the minors, but you wouldn't know it from his delivery. He has easy, fluid mechanics that he repeats consistently, helping him command a lively fastball that sits in the mid-90s and touches 100 mph. Sanchez can overpower hitters with his fastball, though he's working to polish his secondary pitches to miss more bats. His changeup flashes plus with good sink and run, and it helps him thwart lefties, though he needs to do a better job of repeating the same arm slot as his fastball. His slider is average now but could be above-average if he can add more power. The Future: Sanchez's fastball command should help him continue to move quickly, with a chance to join the big league rotation by 2019 and develop into a front-line starter along the lines of the Yankees' Luis Severino.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Phillies special assistant Bart Braun was at a workout in the Dominican Republic to scout a Cuban catcher. The player who caught his eye was Sanchez, the 16-year-old pitcher throwing to him, so the Phillies moved quickly to sign him for $35,000. When Sanchez jumped to U.S. in 2016, his stuff and stock soared as he overmatched hitters while leading the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League with a 0.50 ERA. He finished off his season with seven scoreless innings in the GCL playoffs. Scouting Report: Prior to signing with the Phillies, Sanchez worked out for teams as an infielder, but he shows polish on the mound with an easy delivery. His explosive fastball sits at 92-96 mph and can reach 99 with good movement--a combination of sink and armside run that helps him generate weak contact. He's a good athlete who commands his fastball well for his age to all areas of the strike zone. Between his curveball and changeup, Sanchez has two offspeed pitches that flash plus and with more consistency should allow his strikeout rate to jump. He sells his changeup with good arm speed and it runs away form lefthanded batters with good sinking action. He fields his position well.
  
  The Future: Sanchez is advanced enough to jump to low Class A Lakewood in 2017, with a chance to develop into a No. 2 or 3 starter.