Hector Sanchez Stats & Scouting Report

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No player moved through the system in 2011 quicker than Sanchez, an intriguing switch-hitter with ever-improving receiving skills. He began the year in high Class A, was aggressively promoted to Triple-A in mid-June and made his big league debut a month later while the Giants were desperate to audition catchers following Buster Posey's seasonending leg injury. Sanchez wasn't ready for full-time duty in the majors but held his own. Sanchez has a strong body and solid defensive ability. He has above-average arm strength, a quick release and good accuracy, enabling him to post 1.9-second pop times and erase 34 percent of basestealers in 2011. He blocks balls well and though his English is limited, pitchers enjoy throwing to him. A better hitter from the left side, Sanchez has an advanced two-strike approach and trusts his hands to let the ball get deep. He doesn't get fooled by quality breaking stuff. Though he makes consistent contact, he possesses just gap power and doesn't run well. He may not be another Posey and he may lack the high ceiling of Tommy Joseph or Andrew Susac. But Sanchez profiles well as a big league backup who can contribute offensively and defensively, and he could fill that role in 2012.

Sanchez's strength is his defense. He has a solid-average arm and led all AZL catchers by throwing out 45 percent of basestealers. He's a good receiver, blocks balls well and has made strides with his game-calling. Doug Mapson, the Giants' coordinator of amateur scouting, compared him to Bengie Molina. Though Sanchez sometimes gets lazy on his backside, which produces a long uppercut stroke, he has had success at the plate. He led the Dominican Summer League in hitting (.348) and RBIs (63) in 2008 and batted .299/.403/.410 while drawing nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (21) in Arizona. Sanchez should hit for more power once he matures physically. His 6-foot, 185-pound frame is a little soft right now, and he needs to lose some weight and get stronger in order to hold up over a full season.

Background: No player moved through the system in 2011 quicker than Sanchez, an intriguing switch-hitter with ever-improving receiving skills. He began the year in high Class A, was aggressively promoted to Triple-A in mid-June and made his big league debut a month later while the Giants were desperate to audition catchers following Buster Posey's season-ending leg injury. Scouting Report: Sanchez has a strong body and solid defensive ability. He has above-average arm strength, a quick release and good accuracy, enabling him to post 1.9-second pop times and erase 34 percent of basestealers in 2011. He blocks balls well and though his English is limited, pitchers enjoy throwing to him. A better hitter from the left side, Sanchez has an advanced two-strike approach and trusts his hands to let the ball get deep. He doesn't get fooled by quality breaking stuff. Though he makes consistent contact, he possesses just gap power and doesn't run well. The Future: He may not be another Posey and he may lack the high ceiling of Tommy Joseph or Andrew Susac. But Sanchez profiles well as a big league backup who can contribute offensively and defensively, and he could fill that role in 2012.