Javier Sanoja

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #29 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium.
  
  Track Record: Sanoja was an unheralded signing out of Venezuela in 2019 for just $90,000 and didn’t make his pro debut until 2021 due to the pandemic. Sanoja did not advance past A-ball in his first three seasons, but he rocketed to the majors in 2024 after climbing through Double-A and Triple-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Sanoja’s signature trait is his absurdly high contact rate. Because he shortens up his swing in two-strike counts, his career strikeout rate in the minors is an incredible 7.6%. However, he will expand the zone, and a lot of his contact is of the weaker variety. It is unlikely that Sanoja will ever hit for much power. He is a capable defender at second base, shortstop, and center field with enough arm and range for any of the positions. His hands can be a bit jumpy receiving grounders, but he can at least play shortstop on a part-time basis in the big leagues. Sanoja’s above-average speed helps him take the extra base and beat out infield hits, though his basestealing efficiency has always been somewhat lackluster.
  
  The Future: Sanoja profiles as a nice bench option who can cover the important positions while making a ton of contact. The Marlins’ front office thinks highly of Sanoja, and he will head to spring training with an opportunity to break camp with the MLB squad.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 55.
• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #17 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Sanoja signed for $500,000 as an international free agent in 2019, but was unable to make his professional debut until 2021 due to the pandemic. He has seen year-over-year improvement in each of his three professional seasons with 2023 being his most productive. Between Low-A Jupiter and High-A Beloit, Sanoja slashed .298/.348/.388 with 20 doubles, eight triples, four home runs, 67 RBIs and 37 stolen bases. Most of his production came in Jupiter, but Sanoja held his own in the notoriously pitcher-friendly Midwest League.
  
  Scouting Report: Sanoja has an unorthodox setup in the box with his front side way open and a somewhat low handset, with his hands far away from his chest. As odd as his pre-swing look might be, it is an aesthetically pleasing and rhythmic operation. Sanoja consistently gets into a good hitter’s position and has some quickness in his hands. Given his astronomically high contact rates, there is no reason to make a ton of tweaks. Between Low-A and High-A, Sanoja had a 90% overall contact rate and a 94% in-zone contact rate. He has minimal impact, but he sprays base hits to all fields. Sanoja is a Swiss Army Knife defensively and has earned meaningful reps in center field, at shortstop, and at second base. He has advanced baseball sense with silky smooth hands and an average arm. Sanoja is also a plus runner who regularly makes his presence felt on the basepaths. Sanoja profiles best as a second baseman.
  
  The Future: Sanoja should start the 2024 season in Beloit, but is likely to earn a promotion to Double-A Pensacola. Sanoja will be a nice utility option in the majors given his defensive versatility, but he is unlikely to debut before 2026.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50