| Gaby Sánchez | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Sánchez with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2014 | |
| First baseman | |
| Born: (1983-09-02)September 2, 1983 (age 42) Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: September 17, 2008, for the Florida Marlins | |
| NPB: March 27, 2015, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: September 28, 2014, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| NPB: September 9, 2015, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .254 |
| Home runs | 61 |
| Runs batted in | 266 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Batting average | .226 |
| Home runs | 7 |
| Runs batted in | 18 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Gabriel Sánchez (born September 2, 1983) is an American former professionalbaseballfirst baseman. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theFlorida/Miami Marlins andPittsburgh Pirates, and inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theTohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He played college baseball at theUniversity of Miami.
Sánchez was a 15th round pick (460th overall) of theSeattle Mariners out of Brito Miami Private School in the2002 Major League Baseball draft, but chose to attend the University of Miami instead. In 2004, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theBrewster Whitecaps of theCape Cod Baseball League.[1][2] He signed with theFlorida Marlins after they selected him in the 4th round (126th overall) in2005.[3][4][5]
In his first professional season in2005, Sánchez played mostlythird base for theJamestown Jammers. He made the Short-Season All-Star game as thedesignated hitter for Jamestown, and was alsoMVP of the All-Star Game in theNew York–Penn League. In2006, Sánchez played for the Single-AGreensboro Grasshoppers where hebatted .317 with 14home runs in 55 games before a promotion to Triple-AAlbuquerque. In2007, Sánchez played for Single-A AdvancedJupiter; he batted .279, but hit only 9 home runs in 133 games. In2008, he batted .314 with 17 home runs and 92RBI for Double-ACarolina en route to winning theSouthern League Most Valuable Player Award.
On September 14,2008, Sánchez was called up to the majors and made his debut on September 17. He attended the Marlins' 2009Spring training camp and competed withJorge Cantú for the startingfirst baseman position; Sánchez struggled in the spring and was optioned toTriple-ANew Orleans Zephyrs.
Entering the following year's spring training, he again had to compete to be the starter at first base. This time, it was with fellow prospectLogan Morrison.[6] Sánchez earned the job on March 29, 2010 after Morrison was reassigned to the minors.[7] On April 10, 2010, Sánchez hit his first home run of the 2010 season. He had his most successful game so far on June 11 inInterleague play against theTampa Bay Rays, when he had four hits with two home runs and six RBIs.
He was involved in abench-clearing brawl in the sixthinning of a 16–10 victory over theWashington Nationals atSun Life Stadium on September 1, 2010. The ill will had spilled over from the previous night when MarlinscatcherBrett Hayes suffered adislocated left shoulder as a result of a collision withNyjer Morgan at home plate. After hitting Morgan with a pitch, Morgan stole second and third base with a 9 run lead. This prompted starting pitcherChris Volstad to throw a ball behind Nyjer in his next at-bat. Morgan charged the mound and delivered a left-handedpunch at Volstad. Sánchez, who ran in from his position at first base to defend his teammate, then applied a right-armclothesline to bring Morgan to the ground. Even though he wasn'tejected from the contest,[8] Sánchez was given a three-gamesuspension two days later for his part in the fracas .[9]
He was named to theBaseball America 2010 All-Rookie Team as a DH.[10] He was also named the first baseman on the 2010ToppsMajor League Rookie All-Star Team.[11]
Sánchez changed his uniform number to 15 before the start of the2011 season. He was the lone Marlins player at that year'sAll-Star Game.[5]
On May 19, 2012, Sánchez was demoted to the New Orleans Zephyrs after an 0-for-3 day at the plate lowered his batting average to .197. On June 10, 2012, Sánchez was recalled to the Majors by the Marlins.[12]
Although Sánchez improved since being called up, hitting two home runs with a batting average of .202, he was optioned to the Zephyrs to make room for newly acquiredCarlos Lee, even though he hit a home run in the ninth inning with two outs and two strikes to tie the game that same day.[13]
On July 31, 2012, Sánchez was traded to thePittsburgh Pirates along with pitcher Kyle Kaminsky for outfielderGorkys Hernández and a competition balanced 2013 draft pick.[14] On August 28, 2013, Sanchez changed his number to 17 so his new teammate,John Buck, could wear number 14.[15] He was designated for assignment on December 1, 2014.[16]
On January 8, 2015, theTohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan'sNippon Professional Baseball announced that they had signed Sánchez to a one-year, $2.5 million, contract.[17]
On January 22, 2016, Sánchez signed a minor league deal with theSeattle Mariners. He was released on March 13, 2016.[18]
The son ofCubanimmigrants,[5] Sánchez speaks fluent Spanish. He marriedMiami Herald sports reporter Judy Erwin inNaples, Florida on January 9, 2010.
· Baseball Almanac
