Marlins Organization Report

Prize of the Package

By Mike Berardino
June 30, 2006

FORT LAUDERDALE--Of the many arms the Marlins brought into their organization during last winter's massive rebuilding project, Anibal Sanchez seemed the one most likely to show up at the All-Star Futures Game in Pittsburgh this summer.

The fact Sanchez, 22, was not invited says less about his present talent and projected ceiling than it does about the uneven first half he experienced at Double-A Carolina.

Despite being bothered by minor elbow problems, the righty was 3-6, 3.15 through 15 starts. He had two complete games and 92 strikeouts in 86 innings.

The Futures Game snub might have carried less significance for Sanchez when he was summoned to Yankee Stadium in late June to make his big league debut in an emergency start in the second game of a doubleheader. He pitched into the sixth innings, scattering seven hits without allowing a run or a walk. He picked up his first major league win, but was expected to return to Double-A,

"It's just minor stuff in the elbow," Carolina manager Luis Dorante said. "It seems like it goes away after a couple of days. We haven't skipped him but we do try to give him an extra day here or there."

Still, considering Sanchez missed the 2003 season after nerve transposition surgery on that same elbow, the Marlins were wise to use caution.

Sanchez was part of a four-piece package the Marlins received in last November's trade that sent Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota to the Red Sox. Sanchez landed at No. 3 on one of the deepest Top 30 Prospects lists in the game this winter.

Besides shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who quickly became a fixture in the big leagues, the Marlins also received Class A relievers Harvey Garcia and Jesus Delgado in the deal.

But it's Sanchez for whom the Marlins have the highest hopes.

"We've been working on trying to keep his poise," Dorante said. "He's one of those guys who is so intense, he gets mad on the mound because things are not going this way. That could be affecting his concentration a little bit."

FISH BAIT

• Double-A righthander Jose Garcia was the organization's only selection for the Futures Game. The 21-year-old Dominican earned a first-half promotion by going 6-2, 1.87 in 77 innings at Jupiter.

• Missouri State righthander Brett Sinkbeil signed for $1.525 million after the Marlins took him with the 19th overall pick. Only sandwich pick Chris Coghlan, a third baseman from Mississippi, remained unsigned among the Marlins' top 20 picks.