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SeattleSports
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The top overall international pitching prospect and #3 overall prospect according to BA has signed with Seattle. A great move and just further builds the arms in our system with Taijuan, Hultzen and Paxton. Here is the write up on Sanchez
"Scouts in Venezuela have viewed Sanchez as the country's top prospect for 2011 since he was 13, when he was the second-youngest player on Venezuela's 14-and-under team at the COPABE Pan American championship in 2008. That team also included Blue Jays righthander Adonys Cardona and Rangers shortstop Rougned Odor. Sanchez struck out eight in a five-inning no-hitter against Ecuador, missing a perfect game when he hit a batter. Sanchez wasn't as sharp at the COPABE 16-and-under championship in Mexico last October, but he has developed into a physically mature pitcher who combines a power arm with feel for pitching beyond his years.
Sanchez, a 16-year-old from Caracas, is an interesting prospect as a right fielder as well, due to his above-average arm and raw power, though he doesn't make enough contact for teams to take him off the mound. Sanchez isn't tall (6-foot, 185 pounds), but he has a body like a bull, with a strong, thick frame with sloped shoulders and large hands. His fastball ranges from 89-92 mph and touches 94. He has a loose arm and does it fairly easily. His athleticism helps him repeat his delivery and throw strikes with his fastball to both sides of the plate. Sanchez also throws a plus slider and has shown feel for a changeup, and he'll mix in an occasional curveball. While Sanchez likely has the most present talent in this year's pitching crop, scouts wonder how much projection he has left. His body is relatively filled out and his fastball won't gain much more velocity. Sanchez doesn't miss as many bats as scouts would expect, as his fastball can get straight. Sanchez is represented by Carlos Gavidia, who represented Cardona last year. Many scouts believe Sanchez is the better prospect, though he isn't expected to match Cardona's $2.8 million bonus. The Mariners are the frontrunners to sign Sanchez, with a price tag believed to be around $2.5 million."
"Scouts in Venezuela have viewed Sanchez as the country's top prospect for 2011 since he was 13, when he was the second-youngest player on Venezuela's 14-and-under team at the COPABE Pan American championship in 2008. That team also included Blue Jays righthander Adonys Cardona and Rangers shortstop Rougned Odor. Sanchez struck out eight in a five-inning no-hitter against Ecuador, missing a perfect game when he hit a batter. Sanchez wasn't as sharp at the COPABE 16-and-under championship in Mexico last October, but he has developed into a physically mature pitcher who combines a power arm with feel for pitching beyond his years.
Sanchez, a 16-year-old from Caracas, is an interesting prospect as a right fielder as well, due to his above-average arm and raw power, though he doesn't make enough contact for teams to take him off the mound. Sanchez isn't tall (6-foot, 185 pounds), but he has a body like a bull, with a strong, thick frame with sloped shoulders and large hands. His fastball ranges from 89-92 mph and touches 94. He has a loose arm and does it fairly easily. His athleticism helps him repeat his delivery and throw strikes with his fastball to both sides of the plate. Sanchez also throws a plus slider and has shown feel for a changeup, and he'll mix in an occasional curveball. While Sanchez likely has the most present talent in this year's pitching crop, scouts wonder how much projection he has left. His body is relatively filled out and his fastball won't gain much more velocity. Sanchez doesn't miss as many bats as scouts would expect, as his fastball can get straight. Sanchez is represented by Carlos Gavidia, who represented Cardona last year. Many scouts believe Sanchez is the better prospect, though he isn't expected to match Cardona's $2.8 million bonus. The Mariners are the frontrunners to sign Sanchez, with a price tag believed to be around $2.5 million."
