Lolo Sanchez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	13
AVG	.308
OBP	.357
SLG	.538
HR	0

Full name Kevin Bryan Sanchez
Born 04/23/1999 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 186 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

TRACK RECORD: The Pirates signed Sanchez for $450,000 as the headline player of their 2015 international class. Sanchez was lauded for his five-tool talent at the time of his signing, but after five pro seasons, the most important tool—his bat—has yet to come around.

SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez's one consistent tool is his speed. He's an above-average to plus runner who has stolen at least 30 bases each of the last two seasons, and that speed gives him plenty of range in center field. Sanchez's problem is at the plate. Though he doesn't strike out an overwhelming amount, he's an extreme free swinger who, in the words of one scout, “hasn't met a fastball he won't swing at.” Sanchez often undermines his game by trying to hit for power when he should focus on driving the ball, and his over-swinging often leads to empty at-bats. Sanchez has flashed average power, but most feel he'd be better off focusing on line-drive contact and letting his speed work.

THE FUTURE: Sanchez's entire approach needs an overhaul. Without it, his upside is limited to a fifth outfielder who only provide values with his defense and speed, a rarity in today's game.
Track Record: The Pirates invested $450,000 in Sanchez when they signed him in 2015. He turned 19 in 2018 during his first full season of pro baseball, but he has shown impressive maturity so far. In the Gulf Coast League in 2017, he recorded more walks (21) than strikeouts (19), stole 14 bases and slashed .284/.359/.417. He had a harder time in the South Atlantic League with low Class A West Virginia in 2018, but still kept his strikeout rate low and his stolen base figure high, finishing fourth in the league with 30 steals.

Scouting Report: Sanchez's speed will always be a weapon, and his fringe-average hit tool could evolve as he learns how to better handle quality breaking balls. Sanchez can get the barrel on the ball, but the Pirates aren't expecting to see consistent home run power--he has well below-average power. In fact, Sanchez would be better served to try to hit for less power. Right now, he's too pull oriented for a table-setter. He's a plus defender in center field with plus speed. He takes efficient routes and has a better than average arm, especially for his size.

The Future: Sanchez will most likely begin 2019 at high Class A Bradenton. With his lack of power, he's going to hit a lot better to have any shot to be an MLB regular or even a solid backup.
The Pirates made Sanchez their big-ticket signing on the 2015 international market, coming to terms for $450,000. He showed impressive maturity for an 18-year-old in his first season in the U.S. in 2017, when he hit .284/.359/.417 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League with 21 walks against just 19 strikeouts and 14 stolen bases. He led the circuit with 42 runs and placed third with 85 total bases. Sanchez showed excellent hand-eye coordination and plate control in the GCL. Even though his frame doesn't project for more than average power, his four home runs showed he is capable of running into a few because he's good at getting the barrel to the ball and his body possesses some twitchy athleticism. Sanchez's speed is a plus-plus tool, and he has good baserunning awareness for his age. He's also an above-average center fielder with an above-average arm. His display of all of those tools in the GCL have quickened his track significantly. Sanchez may not start 2018 at low Class A West Virginia if the Pirates keep him in extended spring training, but he will almost certainly end up there at some point.

Minor League Top Prospects

With Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco in Pittsburgh, the Pirates have shown a knack for finding talented outfielders in the Dominican Republic. Next in line could be Sanchez, whose $450,000 bonus was the biggest in Pittsburgh's 2015 international signing class. When Sanchez was 15, he was a below-average runner. By the time he signed, he ran the 60-yard dash in 6.4 seconds, and his plus-plus speed makes an impact in all phases of the game. He's an excellent defensive center fielder who reads the ball well off the bat and takes good angles to the ball, along with an average, accurate arm. Sanchez is a line-drive hitter who puts the ball in play at a high clip. He's a patient hitter with a good sense for the strike zone and, while his power is mostly to the gaps right now, he could grow into average power.

Scouting Reports

TRACK RECORD: The Pirates signed Sanchez for $450,000 as the headline player of their 2015 international class. Sanchez was lauded for his five-tool talent at the time of his signing, but after five pro seasons, the most important tool—his bat—has yet to come around.

SCOUTING REPORT: Sanchez's one consistent tool is his speed. He's an above-average to plus runner who has stolen at least 30 bases each of the last two seasons, and that speed gives him plenty of range in center field. Sanchez's problem is at the plate. Though he doesn't strike out an overwhelming amount, he's an extreme free swinger who, in the words of one scout, “hasn't met a fastball he won't swing at.” Sanchez often undermines his game by trying to hit for power when he should focus on driving the ball, and his over-swinging often leads to empty at-bats. Sanchez has flashed average power, but most feel he'd be better off focusing on line-drive contact and letting his speed work.

THE FUTURE: Sanchez's entire approach needs an overhaul. Without it, his upside is limited to a fifth outfielder who only provide values with his defense and speed, a rarity in today's game.