Skip to main content

PhoulBallz Interview: Phillies pitching prospect Sixto Sanchez

Sixto Sanchez, image- Jay Floyd

A big buzz name around the minor leagues this season is right-handed pitcher Sixto Sanchez.  The 18-year-old Dominican Republic native touts a high 90's fastball that steadily gets into triple digits, a solid slider and a change up that compliments the other offerings well.  On top of all that, his command is likely what impresses most of all.

In 56 1/3 innings for the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws the six-foot tall 185-pounder has struck out 54 batters while walking just six.

Sanchez has a 4-3 record with a 2.88 ERA and a .199 batting average against through 11 starts this season in the.

Much like many Phillies minor leaguers, the talented youngster uses his legs to drive toward home plate, he varies his speeds to his advantage and features a strong and consistent delivery.

Previously a shortstop as a youth player, Sanchez switched to the pitcher's mound three seasons ago.

He has transitioned remarkably, displaying strong poise as he mows down the competition.  At this pace, it may not be long before Sanchez reaches the top level of the sport and has fans ready to check baseball betting options online with William Hill.

Recently, I spoke with Sanchez, with the help of a translator.  He spoke a bit about adjusting to the South Atlantic League, working closely with his staff mates and more.  Read ahead for that interview.

-I just wanted to get your thoughts on your  2017 so far, with all your success.

Everything is good so far.  I'm feeling pretty good now.  I'll work hard to keep it going.

-Is there any feedback you're getting from the coaches that is helping you along?

Yeah, they look out for me.  Make sure I do things right.  They're helping me thus far in my career.

-How about the competition here?  Was it an easy adjustment to pitch in this league?

There's really good competition here.  It's not that easy.  But, I try to do what I can.

-Other pitchers on the staff have performed well also.  Does that help you, being on a staff with other pitchers that are enjoying success?

Of course, that's helping me. That makes the job easier because we talk together and we keep on communicating every start to get better and help each other.

-When you signed with the Phillies, was there anything about the Phillies organization that made this team appealing more than others?

Yeah, I liked the organization.  I wanted to sign with the Phillies from the start.

-There used to be some appeal for Latin players that the general manager was bilingual and could speak Spanish.  Is there anything now that makes the Phillies a place you would want to go?  Something specific?

It's hard with the language and the team tries to help us speak English.  So, I'm trying to get better with English.

-That campus that the Phillies built in the Dominican Republic with the dorms, have you spent time there over the off-season?

Yeah, we take English classes in the Dominican.  They make sure we work.  So, it's a long process.

 check baseball betting options online with William Hill
-Is there any player from your youth that you used to watch that you found appealing and maybe wanted to emulate?

Yes.  As a kid, I liked Pedro Martinez.

-He pitched with the Phillies.  Does that stand out in your memory, him pitching with the Phillies for a year?

No.

-Only with the Red Sox?

(Smiling) Yeah!

-Do you have goals moving forward the rest of the year? 

I just want to keep learning and help the team win.  Would be great if the BlueClaws could make the playoffs.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Lidge Shaky, T-Mac Honored in Trenton

TRENTON, NJ- Brad Lidge made his second rehab appearance for the Double A Reading Phillies on Thursday night and it didn't go as well as the veteran reliever or the team had hoped. Lidge struggled with his command and turned in a rather poor outing for the club that entered the night in a playoff race, 1 game behind division rival Trenton for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Division. On the disabled list since spring training with a strained right rotator cuff, Lidge experienced an elbow strain when he was working back from that issue in late May. In his outing against the Yankees affiliate in Trenton, Lidge displayed difficulty with his control as he threw three wild pitches, hit two batters, walked another and gave up a single, all while letting up two earned runs on 28 pitches in 2/3 of an inning. After the disappointing performance, Lidge was composed and focused on some positive aspects, having reached 89 and 90 MPH on scouts' radar guns, according to some reports. ...

Jason Knapp Q&A

PhoulBallz .com was fortunate enough to meet with Phillies prospect Jason Knapp just one day after he caught the attention of the baseball world with his 7 shut out innings, 14 strike out performance against the Indians' Lake County team. - I asked Jason, the Lakewood BlueClaw , for some thoughts about his big game... I had pretty good command of three pitches (fastball, curve, change up). I was on the same page with my catcher, D'Arnaud , and I ended up, ya know, I felt pretty good. - In a great performance like that, how much credit goes to Travis D'Arnaud , the catcher? More than you might expect, definitely. I didn't shake him off once. He told me what to throw and I do what I'm told. And if it works out, a lot of the credit goes to the catcher. - Does the lack of run support (Lakewood has scored 3 total runs in his 3 starts), in your few starts, increase your stress level, or enhance your focus? No, I just try to go out and do my job every outing. Ya know, we...

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...