Miguel Sanchez Is Ready To Answer The Call

Non-roster players in big league camp are often anonymous, but that wasn’t true for 25-year-old righthander Miguel Sanchez.

Sanchez was serving in the Dominican Republic Air Force when the Brewers signed him at age 22 in January 2016. He never flew planes but did pull guard duty for that service branch, in full military uniform.

It was not Sanchez’s intent to embark on a career in the military, however. He went there to play baseball and hopefully catch the eye of a scout.

“Usually, when guys don’t sign at an early age in the Dominican Republic, they get into amateur baseball,” assistant farm director Eduardo Brizuela said. “The biggest competition there is the military league. They have all the military teams playing each other.”

Though Sanchez got a later start than most pitchers from his country, he climbed steadily up the minor league ladder. He made his first big impression in his 2016 pro debut, when the Brewers promoted him from the Rookie-level Arizona League to low Class A Wisconsin.

“His English, obviously, is limited,” farm director Tom Flanagan said. “He flew from Phoenix to (Chicago’s) O’Hare (Airport), then took a bus to Kane County, where the Timber Rattlers were playing. I told (manager) Matt Erickson, ‘I tip my cap to that kid just for getting there.’ He pitched well and earned the right to stay there.”

Sanchez spent the 2017 season in the Midwest League before putting together a breakthrough in 2018. He opened the season at high Class A Carolina, advanced to Double-A Biloxi then Triple-A Colorado Springs before finishing in the Arizona Fall League.

During the regular season, Sanchez recorded a 2.52 ERA in 34 relief appearances while striking out 95 and walking 22 in 64.1 innings.

In limited action in big league camp this spring, Sanchez acquitted himself well. In five appearances, he allowed just three hits and no runs over 4.2 innings, with three walks and five strikeouts.

As for the progress he has made, Sanchez said, “I think the major leagues are closer than I think. I just try to be ready when I get the call.”

 

 

MICROBREWS

*RHP Bobby Wahl likely will miss the entire 2018 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee pitching in an exhibition game. Wahl was acquired over the winter in a trade with the Mets.

*RHP Adrian Houser, who pitched strictly in relief in spring training, will be stretched out as a starter for Class AAA San Antonio.

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