Axel Sanchez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Seattle Mariners #17 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Sanchez signed with the Mariners for $290,000 when he was 16 and had to wait two seasons to make his pro debut due to the coronavirus pandemic. He failed to stand out to Mariners officials in his early years, but the organization's coaches raved about his instincts and believed he was on the verge of a breakout. That prediction came true in 2022 as Sanchez rose three levels to High-A in an eye-opening season. He set new career highs in batting average (.285), home runs (10) and OPS (.875) and emerged as the system's best defensive shortstop.
  
  Scouting Report: Sanchez originally got too heavy after he signed, but after slimming down, he developed a newfound explosiveness. With his trimmer build, he's now a plus defender at shortstop with soft hands, above-average range and a plus, accurate arm that plays up with a quick release. He is adept at making plays up the middle and moves fluidly around the infield despite fringy speed, showing an advanced feel for positioning and taking good angles to the ball. Sanchez swings hard at the plate and makes loud contact when he finds the barrel. He has above-average raw power and flashes the ability to get to it, but his swing drags and his bat path can be overly steep, leading to concerns he'll be a below-average hitter against better pitching.
  
  The Future: Sanchez's shortstop defense gives him a path to the majors even if his bat falls behind. If he can make the necessary swing adjustments, he has a chance to be an everyday player.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 45. Speed: 45. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Sanchez signed with the Mariners for $290,000 when he was 16 and had to wait two seasons to make his pro debut due to the coronavirus pandemic. He failed to stand out to Mariners officials in his early years, but the organization's coaches raved about his instincts and believed he was on the verge of a breakout. That prediction came true in 2022 as Sanchez rose three levels to High-A in an eye-opening season. He set new career highs in batting average (.285), home runs (10) and OPS (.875) and emerged as the system's best defensive shortstop.
  
  Scouting Report: Sanchez originally got too heavy after he signed, but after slimming down, he developed a newfound explosiveness. With his trimmer build, he's now a plus defender at shortstop with soft hands, above-average range and a plus, accurate arm that plays up with a quick release. He is adept at making plays up the middle and moves fluidly around the infield despite fringy speed, showing an advanced feel for positioning and taking good angles to the ball. Sanchez swings hard at the plate and makes loud contact when he finds the barrel. He has above-average raw power and flashes the ability to get to it, but his swing drags and his bat path can be overly steep, leading to concerns he'll be a below-average hitter against better pitching.
  
  The Future: Sanchez's shortstop defense gives him a path to the majors even if his bat falls behind. If he can make the necessary swing adjustments, he has a chance to be an everyday player.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 45. Speed: 45. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High
  
  Track Record: Sanchez signed with the Mariners for $290,000 when he was 16 and had to wait two seasons to make his pro debut due to the coronavirus pandemic. He failed to stand out to Mariners officials in his early years, but the organization's coaches raved about his instincts and believed he was on the verge of a breakout. That prediction came true in 2022 as Sanchez rose three levels to High-A in an eye-opening season. He set new career highs in batting average (.285), home runs (10) and OPS (.875) and emerged as the system's best defensive shortstop.
  
  Scouting Report: Sanchez originally got too heavy after he signed, but after slimming down, he developed a newfound explosiveness. With his trimmer build, he's now a plus defender at shortstop with soft hands, above-average range and a plus, accurate arm that plays up with a quick release. He is adept at making plays up the middle and moves fluidly around the infield despite fringy speed, showing an advanced feel for positioning and taking good angles to the ball. Sanchez swings hard at the plate and makes loud contact when he finds the barrel. He has above-average raw power and flashes the ability to get to it, but his swing drags and his bat path can be overly steep, leading to concerns he'll be a below-average hitter against better pitching.
  
  The Future: Sanchez's shortstop defense gives him a path to the majors even if his bat falls behind. If he can make the necessary swing adjustments, he has a chance to be an everyday player.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 45. Speed: 45. Fielding: 60. Arm: 60.