Adrian Sanchez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #28 prospect in 2012
  Sanchez and catcher Sandy Leon have turned themselves into prospects since both were signed by then-assistant GM Mike Rizzo and former scouting director Dana Brown on the same trip to Venezuela in 2007. After a strong 25-game stint in low Class A at the end of 2010, most club officials expected him to tear up the South Atlantic League in 2011. Instead, he got off to a slow start and didn't really find his groove until July. Sanchez stands out most for his quick hands and natural feel for making good contact. He tends to be a front-foot hitter, but his hands can whip the barrel through the zone and make up for it. When he stays back in good hitting position with his legs, he can drive the ball to the gaps. He has just enough pull power that he sometimes gets himself in trouble trying to hit homers, but he's starting to understand that he should gear his game toward line drives. Sanchez still chases pitches out of the zone too often, but his feel for his barrel gives him a chance to be a plus hitter with below-average power. A quick-twitch athlete, Sanchez has soft hands and the ability to make occasional highlight-reel plays at second base. He played all around the infield earlier in his career, and his footwork is starting to improve as he gets used to second base, where his arm plays average. He has fringy speed but is aggressive on the basepaths. Sanchez has the tools to be an everyday big league second baseman if it all comes together. He'll advance to high Class A in 2012.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #17 prospect in 2011
  Then-assistant GM Mike Rizzo and former scouting director Dana Brown signed Sanchez and catcher Sandy Leon, a defensive stalwart, on the same trip to Venezuela in 2007. Both players have turned themselves into prospects. Sanchez spent three years in Rookie ball before breaking out in 2010, when he batted .378 in the Gulf Coast League and .317 at Hagerstown. A switch-hitter, he has a compact, line-drive swing from both sides of the plate. He uses the whole field, has decent pop to the gaps and is a good situational hitter. He has an aggressive approach and doesn't walk much, however. He's an average runner. Sanchez played every infield position except first base in 2010, and he profiles best at second base because he lacks the range for shortstop or the power potential for third. His soft hands, good actions and sound footwork around the bag should make him at least an average defender at second base, where his arm also plays well. Sanchez figures to return to low Class A to start 2011 but could earn a promotion by midseason.