Felix Sanchez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #21 prospect in 2004
  In Dusty Baker's first big league camp as Chicago's manager, few players opened his eyes as much as Sanchez, who posted a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings. Not many lefties can light up a radar gun like Sanchez, who can pitch in the mid-90s and touch 97 when working out of the bullpen. The Cubs hoped to make him a starter, but his inability to develop his secondary pitches will have them settle for a power lefty reliever instead. He went to the bullpen full-time in 2003, though he pitched out of the rotation at the end of the year to make up for innings lost when a torn pectoral muscle sidelined him for five weeks. Sanchez' slider is an average pitch at times but not frequently enough. He also has a decent changeup he doesn't throw as much out of the bullpen. He needs to do a better job of repeating his delivery, which would help his slider and his command. Chicago signed Kent Mercker as a free agent, buying a year of development time for Sanchez in Triple-A.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #13 prospect in 2003
  Entering 2002, Cubs officials believed that Angel Guzman and Sanchez were poised for breakout years. Sanchez wasn't as spectacular as Guzman, who rocketed to No. 2 on this list, but he excelled when shifted to the bullpen in August. Blister problems precipitated the move and he'll return to the rotation in 2002, but he may have given a glimpse of his future when he topped out at 96-97 mph and earned four saves in the Midwest League playoffs. As a starter, Sanchez worked mainly at 92-94 and struggled with his below-average slider. Though he has a decent changeup and throws strikes, he sometimes got hit hard because opponents didn't respect his stuff. Sanchez limited lefties to a .237 average and one extra base hit (a double) in 76 at-bats, but needs better stuff to combat righthanders. If he can't improve his slider--and some scouts question his ability to do so--the Cubs eventually may just let him deal heat as a late-inning reliever.
• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #15 prospect in 2002
  Sanchez spent his first two years as pro in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, and he didn't overwhelm Arizona League hitters when he made his U.S. debut last summer. But he looked tremendous after getting promoted to the Northwest League in August. His fastball reaches 95-96 mph, exceptional velocity for a lefthander, and he should throw harder as he fills out his 6-foot-3 frame. He also has a hard slider and is working on a changeup. He's not quite as advanced as Angel Guzman, as his secondary pitches and command need more refinement. But he could join him in Lansing this year and has the raw ability to move quickly through the system.