| Aníbal Sánchez | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Sánchez with the Washington Nationals in 2019 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1984-02-27)February 27, 1984 (age 41) Maracay,Venezuela | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 25, 2006, for the Florida Marlins | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 1, 2022, for the Washington Nationals | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 116–119 |
| Earned run average | 4.06 |
| Strikeouts | 1,774 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Aníbal Alejandro Sánchez Jr. (Spanish:[aˈniβalˈsantʃes]; born February 27, 1984) is a Venezuelan former professionalbaseballpitcher. He made hisMajor League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2006 with theFlorida Marlins and also played for theDetroit Tigers,Atlanta Braves, andWashington Nationals. On September 6, 2006, in his 13th career Major League start, Sánchez pitched ano-hitter against theArizona Diamondbacks.
Sánchez was signed by theBoston Red Sox as an internationalfree agent in 2001. After playing in theVenezuelan Summer League for two seasons, Sánchez suffered an elbow injury that required surgery to move his elbow ligament, causing him to miss the entire 2003 season.
In the following year, he returned to the mound, this time making his debut on American soil with the short-season Single-ALowell Spinners. In 15 starts, Sánchez posted a 3–4 record with a 1.77earned run average (ERA), and by the end of the year was widely considered one of Boston's top pitching prospects. After the 2004 season,Baseball America named Sánchez Boston's fifth-best prospect, behind shortstopHanley Ramírez, outfielderBrandon Moss, and pitchersJonathan Papelbon andJon Lester.[1] By 2006, Ramírez, Papelbon, and Lester had all played in the majors; Moss was selected as thePortland Sea Dogs most valuable player in 2006.[2]
2005 saw the young prospect starting the season off inWilmington, Boston's High-A ball affiliate. After posting a 6–1 record with a 2.40 ERA, receiving a selection for theAll-Star Futures Game, and making theCarolina LeagueAll-Star team, he was promoted to the Double-APortland Sea Dogs. Sánchez got off to a hot start there, but tired toward the end of the season, creating some concern about his durability. Still, Sánchez put up a 3.45 ERA over 11 starts in his first year in Double-A; at 21 years old, he was still one of the youngest players in his league.
At the end of the 2005 season, Boston traded Sánchez along withHanley Ramírez, Jesús Delgado, and Harvey García to the Florida Marlins, in the same transaction that broughtJosh Beckett,Guillermo Mota, andMike Lowell to the Red Sox. In addition to Beckett and Lowell, the Marlins traded several of their other star players after the 2005 season, includingCarlos Delgado,Juan Pierre,Paul Lo Duca, andLuis Castillo, for mainly minor-league prospects. Baseball America ranked Sánchez third in the Marlins system (afterJeremy Hermida and Ramirez) and 40th overall in the major leagues at the start of the 2006 season.[3][4]
The Marlins started sixrookies in theirOpening Day lineup in 2006,[5] but elected to have Sánchez return to Class AA to start the season with theCarolina Mudcats. Sánchez made his first 15 starts in 2006 with Mudcats, for whom he posted a 3–6 record with a 3.15 ERA. While with Carolina, he pitched two complete games, one of which was a seven-hit shutout.[6][7]
On June 25, he was called up to the majors to start the second half of a doubleheader inYankee Stadium against theYankees. Sánchez's major league debut was a strong one, as he allowed seven hits and no runs in 52⁄3 innings against the Yankees. He then turned the game over to hisbullpen, which blanked the Yankees the rest of the way,shutting out the Yankees for the first time all year, 5–0. Sánchez became just the second visiting starter in the past decade to win his big-league debut atYankee Stadium (fellowVenezuelanGustavo Chacín of theToronto Blue Jays, who beat the Yankees in September 2004, is the other). On July 14, the 22-year-old Sánchez started against and defeatedHouston Astros pitcherRoger Clemens, who made his MLB debut when Sánchez was just three months old.
On September 6, 2006, Sánchezno-hit theArizona Diamondbacks 2–0 atDolphin Stadium. He walked four batters and struck out six, throwing 103 pitches. The Marlins, who used 21 rookies during the 2006 season, started six in Sánchez's no-hitter, setting the record for most rookies to play for the winning team in a no-hitter.[8] The no-hitter was also the first thrown sinceRandy Johnson's perfect game on May 18, 2004, as2005 saw no pitcher throw a no-hitter.
On September 27, Sánchez earned his tenth win against theCincinnati Reds, joining teammatesJosh Johnson,Scott Olsen, andRicky Nolasco in the first set of four rookie teammates in MLB history to record ten or more wins in their rookie seasons. Marlins left-handerDontrelle Willis had a record of 12–12, so with Sánchez's tenth win, the Marlins had their first set of five pitchers with ten or more wins in franchise history.[9] He finished his first season with the Marlins with a record of 10–3 and an ERA of 2.83 in 18 major-league games (17 starts).
Before their game against thePhiladelphia Phillies on September 30, the Marlins presented Sánchez with the pitching rubber and home plate used in his no-hitter. TheMiami-Dade CountyOffice of the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners officially named September 30, 2006, Aníbal Sánchez Day.[10]
Sánchez suffered shoulder problems during spring training[11] but still started 2007 with the Marlins, going 2–1 with a 4.80 ERA in six starts. When relieverJorge Julio returned to the team from the disabled list on May 4, the Marlins demoted Sánchez toClass AAA Albuquerque, citing his struggles with control.[12] On June 21, it was reported that his season was over after havingDr. James Andrews perform surgery to repair a tear in his labrum.[13]
On July 31, 2008, Sánchez pitched his first Major League game in almost 15 months against theColorado Rockies. He had a solid outing and pitched5+2⁄3 innings while giving up two runs on six hits and striking out four. The Marlins went on to win that game 12–2, with Sánchez collecting his first win of the season.[14]
Another shortened season limited Sánchez to 16 starts in 2009, but he saw improvements in his stats, finishing with a 3.87 ERA and his lowest WHIP and opponent's batting average since his rookie year.
2010 saw Sánchez finally get through a whole season, as he was the only Marlins' starter to stay in the starting rotation for the entire season. He set a career high in wins with 13, with a still-declining ERA of 3.55 and 195 innings pitched.
On April 22, he took another no-hitter into the ninth inning against theColorado Rockies before giving up a hit toDexter Fowler. Sánchez finished the game for his fourth career complete game. Three starts later, Sánchez again took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against theWashington Nationals before losing it. Sánchez would also throw another complete game on May 26 against theSan Francisco Giants, a 1–0 win that gave Sánchez his third career shutout. Sánchez would throw a one-hitter against thePittsburgh Pirates, his fourth career shutout and second of the season, in early September. After starting the season 6–2, a lack of run support and injuries from the rest of the team led resulted in a 2–7 finish to the season.[15]
Aníbal made 19 starts for the Miami Marlins in 2012, compiling a 5–7 record with a 3.94 ERA.
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On July 23, 2012, Sánchez was traded to theDetroit Tigers along withOmar Infante forJacob Turner,Rob Brantly,Brian Flynn and a draft pick.[16] In 12 starts for the Tigers, he went 4–6 with a 3.74 ERA. The Tigers won the AL Central division, giving Sánchez a chance to play in the first postseason of his career.
In the2012 ALDS against theOakland Athletics, Sánchez started and lost Game 3 despite giving up two runs in6+1⁄3 innings, as the Tigers offense did not score in the game. In Game 2 of the2012 ALCS, Sánchez shut out theNew York Yankees on three hits over seven innings, and earned the win in a 3–0 game. In Game 3 of the2012 World Series, Sánchez struck out eight over seven innings, but took the loss in the Tigers 2–0 defeat to theSan Francisco Giants. Overall, he went 1–2 in the 2012 postseason with a 1.77 ERA.
On December 14, 2012, Sánchez agreed to a five-year, $80 million contract to remain with the Tigers.[17] The deal includes $75 million in salary for five years, plus a team option in the sixth year for an additional $16 million, making the total value of the contract worth a potential $91 million. If the Tigers did not exercise the option, they would have owed Sánchez a $5 million buyout fee.[18]
Sánchez made his 2013 regular season debut on April 3, as the starting pitcher in the Tigers' second game of the season.[19] On April 26, during a 10–0 victory atComerica Park against the Atlanta Braves, Sánchez set a Detroit Tigers franchise record with 17 strikeouts, breaking the previous team record of 16 set in 1972 byMickey Lolich. Amazingly, Sánchez set the record in only 8 innings pitched, as he was removed from the game prior to the ninth inning after throwing 121 pitches.[20] On May 24, Sánchez made a bid for his second career no-hitter. He did not allow a hit for8+1⁄3 innings against theMinnesota Twins, before finally surrendering a single toJoe Mauer. He finished the game to earn a shutout in the Tigers 6–0 win.[21]
On September 11, Sánchez won his 14th game of the 2013 campaign in a 1–0 defeat of theChicago White Sox to establish a new career high for wins in a season.[22] He finished the regular season with a 14–8 record, while fanning 202 batters in 182 innings pitched. His 2.57 ERA led all American League starters. He also allowed the fewest home runs per nine innings in the AL (0.4).
In Game 1 of theAmerican League Championship Series on October 12, Sánchez struck out fourBoston Red Sox batters in the first inning, due to a wild pitch on one of the strikeouts. He became just the second player in Major League history to accomplish this feat in the postseason, followingOrval Overall in the1908 World Series.[23] Sánchez went on to pitch six no-hit innings with 12 strikeouts and six walks. He was lifted prior to the seventh inning due to throwing 116 pitches, but earned the win in a 1–0 Tigers victory. He was not as sharp in Game 5 of the series, surrendering nine hits and four runs (three earned) in six innings, as the Tigers lost 4–3.[24]
Sánchez entered2014 as the Tigers' #3 starter. On April 26, he was placed on the disabled list due to a laceration on his right middle finger.[25] He returned successfully to the rotation with a win over the Boston Red Sox on May 18.[26] On June 30, Sánchez struck outAlberto Callaspo of theOakland Athletics for his 1,000th career strikeout.[27][28]
Sánchez left an August 8 game against theToronto Blue Jays with discomfort in his side. The injury was later diagnosed as a strained pectoral muscle, sending Sánchez to the disabled list for the second time this season.[29]
Sánchez began 2015 as the Tigers' #2 starter, due to the offseason loss ofMax Scherzer and an injury toJustin Verlander. He had a rough start to the 2015 season, surrendering 13 home runs through his first 12 starts (after giving up just four homers in 22 games during the 2014 season). He showed signs of turning the season around in June, allowing no runs in back-to-back starts against theChicago Cubs andCincinnati Reds. In the latter game on June 15, Sánchez threw a two-hit shutout in a 6–0 Tigers win. It was the seventh shutout of his career, and his first complete game since May 24, 2013. Sánchez allowed no walks, struck out seven, and faced just one batter over the minimum.[30]
On August 20, Sánchez was placed on the disabled list with inflammation in his rightrotator cuff. He would not return for the remainder of 2015. Prior to being placed on the DL, he posted a 10–10 record, with a 4.99 ERA in 25 starts, with only onequality start over his last 10 starts. He surrendered a career-high 29 home runs, which also led the American League despite his shortened season.[31]
After compiling a 3–6 record and a 6.67 ERA in his first 11 starts, Sánchez was demoted to the Tiger bullpen following a May 31 start against theLos Angeles Angels.[32] Sanchez returned to the starting rotation on July 5 in Cleveland against theCleveland Indians throwing 41⁄3 innings and earning the loss. He pitched in the starting rotation for much of the remaining season, due to injuries to other Tiger starters. Sánchez struggled for a second straight season, posting a 7–13 record with an ERA of 5.87, while allowing 30 home runs, a new career high.
Sánchez began the 2017 season in the Tigers bullpen, filling a long relief role.[33] In his first 11 appearances of the year, Sánchez had a bad showing as his ERA bloated to 9.00. On May 22, he was demoted to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.[34] The Tigers recalled Sánchez on June 18, and he made a start the next day against theSeattle Mariners.[35] On August 18, he was placed on the 10-day DL with hamstring tightness after leaving the game in the third inning a day earlier.[36] He became a free agent following the season.
On February 20, 2018, Sánchez signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with theMinnesota Twins that was conditional on making the club out of spring training.[37] He was released by the Twins on March 11.[38]
On March 16, 2018, Sánchez signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves.[39] On April 2, Sánchez's contract was selected by the Braves.[40] He landed on the disabled list on April 18 after suffering a hamstring injury. After missing more than a month, he was activated off the disabled list on May 29.[15] Sánchez had his best season, statistically, since 2013, finishing with a record of 7–6 with a 2.83 ERA in 24 starts. He became a free agent following the season.
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Coming off a productive bounceback season with the Braves, Sánchez signed a $19 million two-year deal with the division rivalWashington Nationals on December 27, 2018. The deal also includes a club option for the 2021 season. Sánchez earned his 100th career win on June 16, 2019, against theArizona Diamondbacks[41] In 2019 he was 11–8 with a 3.85 ERA in 30 starts, and led all NL pitchers in errors with four.[42]
In Game 1 of the2019 National League Championship Series against theSt. Louis Cardinals, Sánchez took a no-hitter into the 8th inning before allowing a pinch-hit single toJosé Martínez with two outs.[43] Sánchez became the 6th pitcher in MLB postseason history to carry a no-hit bid for at least7+2⁄3 innings.[44] With teammateMax Scherzer losing his bid for a no-hitter in the 7th inning the next day, Sánchez and Scherzer repeated a feat they accomplished in Games 1 and 2 of the2013 American League Championship Series. No other pair of starting pitchers has ever held the same team hitless through the first five innings of consecutive postseason games; Sánchez and Scherzer have now done it twice.[45][46]
In 2020 he was 4–5 with a 6.62 ERA.[42] He led the NL in earned runs allowed (39).[47] He became a free agent after the season.
On February 23, 2021, it was reported that Sánchez had turned down "multiple" major league offers since he held a January showcase, stating that he was concerned overCOVID-19 and the protocols that surround it.[48] Although a report stated that Sánchez was planning to sign with a team in late April,[49] Sánchez later stated in mid-July that he was no longer planning to pitch in 2021. Sánchez had received some major league offers, but none were at his desired level, as he was seeking an incentive-laden deal.[50]
On March 13, 2022, Sánchez resigned a minor league deal with theWashington Nationals. On April 4, Sánchez had his contract purchased to the big league roster. However, he did not make his first scheduled start due to a neck issue and was placed on the 60-day injured list on May 3.[51] He was activated on July 14 to start against theAtlanta Braves.[52] In 14 starts for Washington, Sánchez logged a 4-6 record and 4.28 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 691⁄3 innings pitched.[53]
On May 16, 2023, Sánchez announced his retirement from professional baseball via Instagram.[54]
Sánchez throws five pitches, giving him a variety of weapons to use against right-handed and left-handed hitters. He throws afour-seam fastball in the 88–94 MPH range, a two-seamsinker with similar velocity, aslider in the mid-80s, achangeup with strong tailing action in the 79–85 MPH range, and an occasionalcurveball in the mid- to upper-70s[55] TeammatesMax Scherzer andJustin Verlander have both claimed in interviews that Sánchez actually throws two different changeups: the standard one in the 79–85 mph range, and a slower one in the mid-60s to low-70s that they call the "butterfly pitch". Aníbal is known for keeping hitters off-balance with his willingness to throw any pitch at any time in the count. Baseball writer Mike Axisa stated in 2013, "Rotation mates Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander overpower hitters. Sánchez confuses them."[56]
| Preceded by | No-hitter pitcher September 6, 2006 | Succeeded by |
