Romulo Sanchez

New York acquired Sanchez from Pittsburgh last May and made him a starter at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he deployed his blistering high-90s fastball to the tune of 64 strikeouts in 64.2 innings. An intimidating mound presence listed at 6-6, 250 pounds, Sanchez will be better suited as a reliever in the majors where his spotty control and below-average secondary pitches won’t be as much of an Achilles’ heel. The Yankees added him to the 40-man over the winter and may have plans for him in the bullpen at some point this season.

Sanchez has had a cup of coffee with the Pirates in both 2007 and 2008, but hasn't been able to stick around. The big right-handed reliever went 5-1 at Triple-A last year, with a 3.46 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. He could find his way to PNC Park as a middle reliever in 2009, but he'll have to improve upon his 32:19 K:BB ratio. General manager Neal Huntington favors pitchers who throw hard, meaning that if he can improve his control he could find a role with the team in the next year or two.

Sanchez, a big burly reliever at 6-5, 243, posted strong numbers at Double-A in 2007. He produced a 2.81 ERA in 67.2 innings with a WHIP of 1.040. Sanchez pitched better than his 5.00 ERA in Pittsburgh indicates and he could become one of the team's middle-innings relievers in 2008. The former Dodgers property has a chance to spend more time with the Pirates, especially if he gets off to a good start at Triple-A Indianapolis. From a fantasy perspective, however, he's not likely to have any impact.

The Pirates added Sanchez to their 40-man roster in the offseason, showing that they believe the 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher could have a future with the team because of his power arm. Sanchez is another player manager Jim Tracy has a history with from his Los Angeles days. Pittsburgh claimed Sanchez as a minor-league free agent after the Dodgers released him in 2004. Last season Sanchez finished with an 0-3 record and a 5.86 ERA in the Bucs' farm system.