Angel Sanchez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #16 prospect in 2014
  The nephew of former major leaguer Geraldo Guzman, Sanchez signed with the Dodgers for $7,500 out of a college in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. After two and a half years in Class A ball, he went to the Marlins as part of the Ricky Nolasco trade in July 2013. Despite his smallish frame, he throws a live 92-95 mph fastball with a free-and-easy delivery that he repeats well. His best pitch is a plus cutter that would be more effective if he showed it less. He throws both a hard curve with medium depth and a late-breaking slider with good downward action. Sanchez's changeup could become an average pitch if he would use it more. With so many weapons, he lacks feel for when to throw which pitch. He picks at the corners and needs to work up and down to change the plane on hitters. Sanchez needs to gain strength to bolster his stamina and maintain his velocity in the later innings. Though relatively new to pitching, he is 24 and will be challenged at Double-A Jacksonville in 2014. Scouts who like him see a possible late-rotation starter.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #25 prospect in 2013
  The Dodgers signed Sanchez out of an unusual source, Santo Domingo Autonomous University, a college in the Dominican Republic. He cost them a mere $7,500 bonus in July 2010 and had a breakout pro debut the next year, going 8-4, 2.82 in low Class A. His follow-up campaign was a disaster. After an up-and-down first half in high Class A, Sanchez lost nine straight decisions and had the worst ERA in the minors in the second half at 8.75. His stock understandably took a hit, but he does still have an exciting arm. His fastball ranges from 92-96 mph, and he backs it up with a tight, late-breaking slider. He can also turn to an underused changeup, which is inconsistent but shows flashes of becoming an average pitch, and a show-me curveball. He struggled with command last season, particularly with his slider. The team also worried that he didn't put in the same effort in his start-to-start preparation as he did in 2011, and hopes last season was a wakeup call. Sanchez will get another crack at Rancho Cucamonga in 2013. Continued struggles with his secondary stuff could force a move to the bullpen sooner than later.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #12 prospect in 2012
  Sanchez's route to pro ball was very atypical for a Latin American prospect, as he signed out of a Dominican college. He passed up opportunities to turn pro as a teenager so he could attend Santo Domingo Autonomous University. He was one semester away from graduating when he signed with the Dodgers in July 2010, costing them just $7,500. Sanchez pitched well in his pro debut in low Class A last year, allowing three runs or less in 18 of his 20 outings. He has a power arm, throwing 92-96 mph four-seam fastballs with armside run and sinking two-seamers. His changeup is his best secondary offering, featuring splitter-like action at 80-85 mph. He also has a slurvy curveball that flashes depth and rotation at times but is a work in progress. Sanchez uses a high three-quarters arm slot and, while he can be a little upright finishing his delivery at times, he doesn't have any major mechanical issues. He does need to tighten his command. Sanchez receives praise for his work ethic and how quickly he's picked up English. He's a potential No. 3 starter who could begin moving quickly, possibly reaching Double-A in 2012.