Anibal Sanchez

2013

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2012

For a time in the early part of last season, Sanchez looked like he had become one of the best pitchers in the National League, striking guys out at an elite level and posting an ERA and WHIP to match. A couple of rough outings in the summer heat marred his final numbers, but Sanchez still announced himself as someone to pay attention to. There wasn't much in his peripherals to indicate why his strikeouts spiked the way they did: he threw a few more change-ups instead of sliders, and batters chased a few more of his pitches out of the zone, but really he didn't do anything differently than he did in 2010 – he just did it better. Whether that means a regression is in store or he's found his true level remains to be seen, but Sanchez has struck out better than a batter an inning before in the minors and came close in his 2008 return from shoulder trouble, so this isn't completely uncharted territory for him. At the very least, an improved Marlins' offense should get him into double digits in wins.

2011

Sanchez finally managed to stay healthy for an entire season, and the results last year were as good as the Marlins could have hoped. His slider was nearly as nasty as it had been in his rookie season, and for the first time in his major league career he struck out more than twice as many batters as he walked. He'll never be an ace, but just so long as he can keep taking the mound 30-plus times a year and deliver solid numbers, he'll be plenty useful.

2010

After struggling out of the gate Sanchez developed more shoulder problems, and it appeared as though he'd never recover from his 2007 torn labrum. Some rest and further rehab did the trick though, and in the second half he again looked like the pitcher he was as a rookie, too wild for comfort but difficult to hit. His K/9 rate has improved a great deal since 2006 though, and if he can sustain it north of 7.0 while still breaking bats there's a chance his 2.68 ERA over his last nine starts could be more than a small sample mirage.

2009

Sanchez made it back to the Marlins rotation after his 2007 labrum tear, but he looked nothing like the rookie who electrified baseball with his no-hitter the year before. Florida has him slotted in for a starting job, but if he continues to struggle they have more than enough prospects in the system to shunt Sanchez aside. On the bright side his strikeout rate took a big step forward in his 10 big league starts even as his control regressed, a very good indication that his change-up is as baffling as ever. Don't write him off just yet.

2008

After struggling out of the gate and being sent down to Triple-A Sanchez admitted his shoulder had been bothering him, and the result was June surgery to repair a torn labrum and a lost 2007. His no-hitter as a rookie brought him a lot of notoriety, but his 2006 ERA and WHIP were fueled by a very low BABIP and must be taken with a grain of salt until he proves he can do it again. He's also a pitcher who relies heavily on a great change-up, and if the labrum tear costs him a few miles per hour on his fastball that change-up won't be nearly as effective. You may want to wait and see how he looks in spring training before you consider him even as a long shot pick.

2007

Sanchez spent half the year putting up solid numbers at Double-A before getting called up to the majors and setting the world on fire, including a no-hitter in his 13th career start. His fastball/change-up combo proved utterly baffling to big league hitters, resulting in a batting average allowed of just .217. His walk rate rose and his strikeout rate dropped after his promotion though, so if that hit rate proves to be unsustainable he's likely in for some regression in 2007. Still, he'll be just 23 and has just scratched the surface of his talent. He could just as easily surprise once again.

2006

Sanchez started last season ranked as Boston's fifth best prospect, according to Baseball America, and was traded to Florida in the Josh Beckett deal. He pitched in the Futures Game, World All-Star game and the Carolina League All-Star game, moving from Single-A to Double-A in the process. He's got a mid-90s heater with an excellent changeup, but is still developing command of his curve. The Marlins in the past have aggressively promoted their top pitching prospects from Double-A, so if Sanchez doesn't make the team out of spring training, he still could be up shortly thereafter.