Jonathan Omar Sánchez (born November 19, 1982), nicknamed "the Kid" and "the Comeback Kid", is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball pitcher. He is one of only three Puerto Rican players to throw a no-hitter game in MLB, the others being John Candelaria in 1976 and Juanchi Nieves in 1987.[1] A left-handed starter, Sánchez's pitching repertoire consisted of a low-to-mid 90s mph fastball, a change-up, and a slurve in the 80s.[2]
Jonathan Sánchez | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Mayagüez, Puerto Rico | November 19, 1982|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
May 28, 2006, for the San Francisco Giants | |
Last MLB appearance | |
April 29, 2013, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 39–58 |
Earned run average | 4.70 |
Strikeouts | 796 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
After being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2004, Sánchez quickly worked his way through the Giants' minor league system. In 2006, he was called up to the major leagues and was used mostly in a long relief role. In 2007, he made the team out of spring training and was again used mostly in long relief, though he spent part of his season in the minors. In 2008, he made the Giants' starting rotation and remained in it for the entire year, except for a stint on the disabled list.
Sánchez began 2009 as a starter but was moved to the bullpen during the season. On July 10, threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, starting in place of an injured Randy Johnson. In 2010, Sánchez struck out 200 batters for the first time and was a member of the Giants team that won the World Series. In 2011 he married a Dominican model named Audris Rijo. He was traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2012, and traded again to the Colorado Rockies after he struggled in the first half of the season. He began 2013 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Early life
editSánchez attended Blanca Malaret High School in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico. After graduating in 2000, Sánchez pitched for four seasons at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio. While at the university, Sánchez threw four no-hitters and set school records for most strikeouts in a single game (sixteen), most strikeouts in a single season (105), most strikeouts in a career (311), and most shutouts in a career (ten).[3] However, his final collegiate appearance was arguably his worst, as he was saddled with the loss in the Panthers' NAIA regional playoff defeat to Saint Vincent College, going five innings and allowing six runs on six hits.[4]
Professional career
editDraft and minor leagues
editSánchez was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the twenty-seventh round (820th overall) of the 2004 MLB draft. In his first year of professional ball, he went 7–1 with a 3.72 earned run average in fifteen games (nine were starts) with the Rookie league Arizona League Giants and the Single-A (short-season) Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. While pitching in the Arizona League, he tied for third in the league in wins, with five.[4]
Sánchez was promoted to the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets of the South Atlantic League in 2005. He went 5–7 with a 4.08 ERA in twenty-five starts, led the South Atlantic League in strikeouts with 166, averaged 11.9 in nine innings pitched, and was selected to the league's All-star team. During the offseason, Sánchez pitched for the Carolina club of the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League, posting a 2–2 record with a 2.91 ERA in 19 relief appearances.[4]
Coming into 2006, Sánchez was ranked as the sixth best prospect in the Giants' organization by Baseball America.[5] He began the 2006 season with the Double-A Connecticut Defenders, where in thirteen appearances (three starts) he went 2–1 with a 1.15 ERA and forty-six strikeouts.
San Francisco Giants (2006–2011)
edit2006
editSánchez was called up to the Giants on May 26, 2006, as a reliever. He made his MLB debut two days later on May 28 against the Colorado Rockies. He pitched one inning in relief and retired all three batters he faced (Todd Helton, Matt Holliday, and Garrett Atkins).[6] His performance was overshadowed, however, because Barry Bonds hit his 715th home run in the same game to surpass Babe Ruth for second place on the all-time home run list.[7]
On June 4, Sánchez picked up his first major league win. With the score tied at six in the eleventh inning against the New York Mets, Sánchez entered the game and pitched a scoreless inning. The Giants won the game 7–6 in the twelfth on an RBI single by Pedro Feliz.[8]
Sánchez posted a 2–0 record with a 1.37 ERA in twenty-two games in his first stint with the team. On July 29, the Giants sent him to their AAA affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies to improve his abilities as a starter.[4] While at Fresno, he went 2–2 with a 3.80 ERA in six starts. With the expansion of the MLB rosters on September 1, Sánchez was recalled from Fresno.[9]
Sánchez won his first major league start on September 6 (in place of Noah Lowry, who was injured), giving up one run in 5+2⁄3 innings pitched in a 3–2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.[10] After that, Sánchez replaced Brad Hennessey in the rotation.[11] However, Sánchez did not pitch well in his last four appearances of the season (one came in relief), as he had an 11.36 ERA in them.[4]
2007
editEntering the 2007 season, Sánchez was ranked as the second best prospect in the Giants' organization (behind only Tim Lincecum) by Baseball America.[12] Sánchez made the Giants' roster out of spring training. He struggled in his first fourteen games, however, and was sent down to Fresno on May 21 when Russ Ortiz came off the disabled list.[13] Sánchez returned to the majors on June 6 when, coincidentally, Ortiz got hurt again.[14] On June 13, he picked up his first major league hit (an RBI double) in a 7–4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.[15] On July 4, he was placed on the disabled list with a strained rib cage,[16] but he was reactivated on July 18.[17]
Sánchez was sent back to Fresno on August 11 to make room for Brian Wilson on the roster.[18] He returned in September, and he replaced Lowry (who was injured) in the rotation.[19][20] He made four starts, but he lost three of them and had a 7.16 ERA in all four of them.[4] After straining his left oblique muscle in his fourth start, he was shut down for the rest of the season and replaced in the rotation by Travis Blackley.[19][21][22] He finished the year 1–5 with a 5.88 ERA in thirty-three games (four starts).
2008
editIn 2008, Sánchez made the Giants' starting rotation out of spring training as the fifth starter.[23] In only his second start of the season, he struck out a career high ten batters against the San Diego Padres in a game the Giants eventually won 1–0.[24] Sánchez struck out ten batters again in a 3–1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds on April 25, becoming the first Giants left-handed pitcher since Shawn Estes to strike out at least ten batters in a game more than once in a season.[25] From May 28 through June 12, Sánchez won a career best four straight starts.[4] On June 12, in a 10–7 victory over the Colorado Rockies, he became the first Giants' starter to allow seven runs and win a game since Russ Ortiz did it in 2000.[26] In his next start, on June 17 against the Detroit Tigers, Sánchez took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but he was ultimately the losing pitcher in a 5–1 loss.[27] Sánchez finished the first half with an 8–5 record and 115 strikeouts, which were the most ever in the first half of a season by a Giants' left-hander during the Giants' tenure in San Francisco.[4]
The second half did not go well for Sánchez. He lost five straight decisions starting on July 9 before getting placed on the disabled list on August 16.[28] In his last start before going on the disabled list, he no-hit the Houston Astros through five innings. However, he was the losing pitcher in a 3–1 loss.[29] Sánchez returned on September 1, but lost his sixth straight game as the Colorado Rockies prevailed by a score of 4–0.[30] He finally ended his losing streak on September 12, when he was the winning pitcher in a 5–2 win over the San Diego Padres.[31] Sánchez did not win another game all year, though, and he finished the second half of the season with a 1–7 record.[4] Sánchez still finished with a 9–12 record, and he struck out 157 batters in 158 innings.
2009
editSánchez was again the fifth starter in the Giants' rotation in 2009. The season did not start well for him, though, as he had a 2–8 record in the first part of the year.[4] On June 28, Ryan Sadowski replaced him in the rotation.[32]
Sánchez did not stay in the bullpen very long though. After Randy Johnson strained his shoulder, Sánchez was chosen to start against the San Diego Padres on July 10.[33] In that game, Sánchez not only threw the first complete game and the first shutout of his career; he threw a no-hitter, becoming the first Giants' pitcher to do so since John Montefusco no-hit the Atlanta Braves in 1976. In the process, Sánchez struck out a new career high of eleven batters.[34] Sánchez had a perfect game going into the eighth inning, but an error by Juan Uribe off the bat of Chase Headley allowed the only baserunner of the night.[35] Sánchez almost lost the no-hitter during the ninth inning when Edgar Gonzalez hit a ball deep to centerfield. However, Aaron Rowand made a spectacular catch, and Sánchez got his no-hitter.[36] Sánchez's no-hitter was also special because his father Sigfredo, who had never seen his son start a major league game, was in attendance.[37]
The no-hitter proved to be a turning point in Sánchez's season, as he went 6–4 the rest of the way to finish with an 8–12 record. He remained in the rotation for the entire time. Sánchez also struck out 177 batters in 163.1 innings for a 9.75 average per nine innings. This was good for fourth in the National League, behind only Tim Lincecum, Yovani Gallardo, and Javier Vázquez.[4]
2010
editSánchez was arbitration eligible to begin 2010, but he avoided arbitration by signing a one-year contract with the Giants.[38] He was named the fourth starter out of spring training this time. Sánchez began started strong in 2010, as he was 7–6 by the All-Star break. Because of injuries to the Giants' left-handed relief pitchers, Sánchez made his only relief appearance of the year on July 30 in a 6–5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.[39] On August 3, Sánchez tied Juan Marichal's record when he struck out seven straight batters in a 10–0 win over the Colorado Rockies.[40] Two months later, on the last day of the season, Sánchez started against the San Diego Padres. Sánchez pitched five shutout innings, scored the first run after hitting a triple in the third inning, and was the winning pitcher in a 3–0 win. The win sent the Giants to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.[41]
In Game three of the 2010 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, Sánchez struck out eleven batters in a game the Giants won 3–2.[42] Sánchez gave up three runs over six innings in Game two of the 2010 NLCS, but he was the losing pitcher in a 6–1 loss.[43] Sánchez also started Game six. He only lasted two innings, giving up two runs and getting pulled from the game after an argument with Chase Utley. However, the Giants won the game 3–2 and returned to the World Series.[44] Sánchez's only World Series game was unsuccessful, as he gave up all four runs in 4.2 innings in the Giants' 4–2 loss to the Texas Rangers in Game three.[45] However, the Giants ultimately won the World Series for the first time in fifty-six years.
Sánchez was arbitration-eligible following the season, but the Giants avoided arbitration with him by signing him to a one-year contract.[46]
2011
editSánchez started the season second in the Giants' rotation, as to split the righties Lincecum and Cain, as well as to split the lefties Sánchez, Zito, and Bumgarner. He did not fare well early in the season, and was placed on the disabled list shortly before Barry Zito was activated in June. When Sánchez returned from the disabled list, he was still experiencing the control problems that had plagued him before he was injured.[47] Sánchez sprained his foot in August while on the road in Atlanta, and remained on the disabled list until the end of the season,[48] ending with a line of 4–7 W/L; 4.26 ERA; 101.1 IP; 102 Ks; 66 BBs; .220 Opp AVG; and a WHIP of 1.44.
Kansas City Royals (2012)
editOn November 7, 2011, Sánchez was traded to the Kansas City Royals with prospect Ryan Verdugo for outfielder Melky Cabrera.[49] He struggled with the Royals, pitching to a 1-6 record and 7.76 ERA in 53+1⁄3 innings, while allowing 65 hits, including eight home runs, and 44 walks. After allowing seven runs on seven hits and one walk in 1+1⁄3 innings in a start against the Seattle Mariners, the Royals designated Sánchez for assignment on July 17, 2012.[50]
Colorado Rockies (2012)
editThe Royals traded Sánchez to the Colorado Rockies for Jeremy Guthrie on July 20.[51] He only made 3 starts for the Rockies and was 0-3 with a 9.53 ERA. He became a free agent following the season.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2013)
editOn February 6, 2013, Sánchez signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The deal included an invitation to spring training.[52] Sanchez made the team and was in the starting rotation to begin the season. On April 26, 2013, he was ejected for the first time in his MLB career by umpire Tim Timmons after intentionally pitching at St. Louis Cardinals batter Allen Craig following back-to-back home runs by Matt Carpenter and Carlos Beltrán and a single by Matt Holliday.[53] After posting an 11.85 ERA with the Pirates, he was designated for assignment on April 30, and was later released on May 8.[54]
Los Angeles Dodgers
editOn May 13, 2013, Sánchez signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[55] After spending a month at the Dodgers extended spring training location in Arizona, Sánchez joined the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes on June 24. He made 14 starts and was 7-3 with a 5.13 ERA. He elected free agency on November 4.
Chicago Cubs
editOn December 18, 2013, Sánchez signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs. He was released on July 2, 2014.[56]
Cincinnati Reds
editOn January 29, 2016, Sánchez signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.[57] He was released on March 18.[58]
Second Stint with Kansas City
editOn December 17, 2016, Sánchez signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.[59] He was released on March 20, 2017.[60]
York Revolution
editOn June 30, 2018, Sánchez signed with the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He retired on August 6. In 6 starts 22.1 innings he went 0-1 with a 4.43 ERA with 19 strikeouts.
Saraperos de Saltillo
editOn April 4, 2019, Sánchez came out of retirement and signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican League. He became a free agent following the season. In 22 games (20 starts) 109 innings he struggled going 8-6 with a 5.20 ERA and 102 strikeouts.
International play
editSánchez was chosen to pitch for Puerto Rico in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.[61] He made two starts in the Classic. He won the first one on March 11 by pitching four scoreless innings in a 5–0 victory over the Netherlands.[62] Although he only pitched 22⁄3 innings and gave up three runs in his next start against the United States, he was in line for the win going into the ninth inning. However, J. C. Romero and Fernando Cabrera blew the lead, and the United States knocked Puerto Rico out of the Classic with a 6–5 victory.[63]
Pitch repertoire
editSánchez throws a fastball that travels about ninety-one mph for his main pitch, though it sometimes can go up to ninety-five mph. His other pitches (slurve and change-up) travel in the low eighties. Wildness has been a problem for Sánchez; he has walked 10% – 15% of major-league batters faced each season. However, he also strikes out a lot of batters; he struck out two hundred for the first time in his career in 2010.[4] That year, he led all qualifying MLB starting pitchers in limiting hits per innings pitched (6.61 H/9), and his career swinging-strike percentage is among the best in the majors.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Jorge López: "Me sobrecogió la emoción"" (in Spanish). Primera Hora. September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
- ^ a b Golebiewski, David (December 28, 2009), Scouting Jonathan Sanchez, Fangraphs, retrieved December 21, 2010
- ^ Dominican, Ohio. "Athletics". Retrieved May 27, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Jonathan Sanchez, MLB, retrieved April 21, 2013
- ^ Manuel, John (December 16, 2005), Top Ten Prospects: San Francisco Giants, Baseball America, retrieved December 7, 2010
- ^ Colorado 6, San Francisco 3, MLB, May 28, 2006, retrieved December 8, 2010
- ^ Bloom, Barry (May 28, 2006), Bonds passes Babe with 715 homers, MLB, retrieved December 8, 2010
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Mike (June 4, 2006), Giants 7, Mets 6, 12 innings, Yahoo! sports, retrieved December 8, 2010
- ^ San Francisco Giants Transactions – 2006, ESPN, retrieved December 8, 2010
- ^ Kinney, Terry (September 7, 2006), Giants 3, Reds 2, Yahoo! sports, retrieved December 8, 2010
- ^ "2006 San Francisco Giants Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ^ Baggarly, Andy (February 22, 2007), Top 10 Prospects: San Francisco Giants, Baseball America, archived from the original on February 24, 2007, retrieved December 29, 2008
- ^ Haft, Chris (May 21, 2007), "Notes: Giants go to the dogs", MLB.com, archived from the original on May 24, 2007, retrieved December 9, 2010
- ^ Grey, Jason (June 7, 2007), "Notes: Ortiz headed to the disabled list", MLB.com, archived from the original on June 11, 2007, retrieved December 9, 2010
- ^ Jays tag Giants phenom Lincecum with seven runs, ESPN, June 13, 2007, archived from the original on March 6, 2019, retrieved December 9, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (July 4, 2007), "Notes: Atchison back in Majors", MLB.com, archived from the original on July 8, 2007, retrieved December 9, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (July 19, 2007), "Notes: Misch returned to Triple-A", MLB.com, archived from the original on August 23, 2007, retrieved December 10, 2010
- ^ Regan, Becky (August 11, 2007), "Notes: Wilson finds his way back", MLB.com, archived from the original on September 1, 2007, retrieved December 10, 2010
- ^ a b "2007 San Francisco Giants Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
- ^ Haft, Chris (September 28, 2007). "Notes: Lowry's elbow feeling better". Giants. MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
- ^ Haft, Chris (September 19, 2007). "D-backs add insult to Sanchez's injury". Giants. MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
- ^ Regan, Becky (September 22, 2007). "Notes: Bonds hopes to return vs. Padres". Giants. MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
- ^ Addcox, Jayson (March 30, 2008), "Starters have mixed results vs. A's", MLB.com, archived from the original on April 1, 2008, retrieved December 9, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (April 10, 2008), "Ortmeier's heroics provide margin", MLB.com, archived from the original on April 8, 2009, retrieved December 10, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (April 26, 2008), "Sanchez racks up K's in win vs. Reds", MLB.com, archived from the original on March 24, 2012, retrieved December 10, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (June 12, 2008), "Giants bats come alive in win vs. Rox", MLB.com, archived from the original on March 24, 2012, retrieved December 10, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (June 18, 2008), "Giants can't pick up Sanchez", MLB.com, retrieved December 10, 2010[dead link ]
- ^ Lepper, Geoff (August 20, 2008), "Injury won't end Sanchez's season", MLB.com, archived from the original on March 24, 2012, retrieved December 11, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (August 12, 2008), "Sanchez drops duel with Astros", MLB.com, archived from the original on March 24, 2012, retrieved December 11, 2010
- ^ Birnbaum, Jeff (September 1, 2008), "Stingy Sanchez takes loss to Rockies", MLB.com, archived from the original on March 24, 2012, retrieved December 11, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (September 13, 2008), "Giants rookies get to Padres ace", MLB.com, archived from the original on March 24, 2012, retrieved December 11, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (June 29, 2009), "Sadowski to stay in Giants' rotation", MLB.com, archived from the original on July 4, 2009, retrieved December 11, 2010
- ^ Pentis, Andrew (July 10, 2009), "Sanchez looks to make most of chance", MLB.com, archived from the original on July 11, 2009, retrieved December 12, 2010
- ^ Schlegel, John (July 11, 2009), "Sanchez etches name in Giants lore", MLB.com, archived from the original on July 13, 2009, retrieved December 12, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (July 11, 2009), "Error ends Sanchez's bid for perfection", MLB.com, archived from the original on January 15, 2014, retrieved December 12, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (July 11, 2009), "Leap of faith: Rowand saves no-hitter", MLB.com, archived from the original on July 13, 2009, retrieved December 12, 2010
- ^ Pentis, Andrew (July 11, 2009), "Dad's presence inspires Giants' Sanchez", MLB.com, archived from the original on July 13, 2009, retrieved December 12, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (January 19, 2010), Sanchez, Giants agree on one-year contract, Major League Baseball, archived from the original on January 22, 2010, retrieved January 19, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (July 31, 2010), "New-look Lincecum holds down Dodgers", MLB.com, archived from the original on August 3, 2010, retrieved December 12, 2010
- ^ Giants blank Rockies for fourth straight win, ESPN, August 3, 2010, retrieved December 12, 2010
{{citation}}
: Unknown parameter|agency=
ignored (help)[dead link ] - ^ "Giants finally eliminate Padres", Fox Sports, Associated Press, October 4, 2010, retrieved December 12, 2010
- ^ Baggarly, Andrew (October 11, 2010), "Giants take advantage of miscues, beat Braves 3–2", mercurynews.com, retrieved October 11, 2010
- ^ Langosch, Jenifer (October 18, 2010), "After rough first, Sanchez delivers Giant effort", MLB.com, archived from the original on October 23, 2010, retrieved December 12, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (October 24, 2010), "SF wins on Juan's swing; Philly KO'd, looking", MLB.com, archived from the original on October 27, 2010, retrieved December 12, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (October 31, 2010), "Giants' Series roll halted by Rangers", MLB.com, archived from the original on November 1, 2010, retrieved December 12, 2010
- ^ Haft, Chris (January 18, 2011), "Giants shave list of arbitration eligibles", MLB.com, archived from the original on April 6, 2012, retrieved January 20, 2011
- ^ Giants Open To Trading Jonathan Sanchez
- ^ Jonathan Sanchez not improving
- ^ "Giants trade Jonathan Sanchez and Minor Leaguer to Royals for Melky Cabrera | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
- ^ "Royals designate Jonathan Sanchez for assignment | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
- ^ Patrick SaundersDenver Post (July 16, 2012). "Former Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez traded to Colorado Rockies". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
- ^ Gleeman, Aaron (February 6, 2013). "Pirates sign Jonathan Sanchez to minor league deal". NBCSports.com. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
- ^ "MLB Ejections 020, 021, 022: Tim Timmons (1, 2, 3)." Close Call Sports/Umpire Ejection Fantasy League. April 26, 2013.
- ^ "Pirates drop Jonathan Sanchez and his 11.85 ERA – HardballTalk". hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. April 30, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- ^ Saxon, Mark (May 15, 2013). "Jonathan Sanchez to Dodgers". ESPN.com.
- ^ "Cubs sign Jonathan Sanchez to minor league deal". December 19, 2013.
- ^ "Reds sign Jonathan Sánchez". MLB.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Major League Baseball Transactions in March 2016". MLB.com. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
- ^ Eddy, Matt (December 24, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Dec. 10-22". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- ^ Dodd, Rustin. "Royals release Jonathan Sanchez, reassign five players to minor-league camp". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved March 20, 2017.
- ^ Chastain, Bill (March 4, 2009), Sanchez solid in defeating Rays, World Baseball Classic, archived from the original on February 16, 2012, retrieved December 11, 2010
- ^ Gonzalez, Will (March 12, 2009), Puerto Rico takes top seed in Pool D, World Baseball Classic, archived from the original on February 10, 2013, retrieved December 11, 2010
- ^ Leach, Matthew (March 18, 2009), P. R. eliminated by US in heartbreaker, World Baseball Classic, archived from the original on February 16, 2012, retrieved December 11, 2010
External links
edit- Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)