I took an hour and half drive up to Johnson City, TN tonight to catch Aaron Sanchez and the Bluefield Blue Jays take on the JC Cardinals. I was pleasantly surprised to see a scout I know from my job with the Tennesse Smokies. He was kind enough to talk scouting with me and give me his perspective on Sanchez. 

Aaron Sanchez 

Aaron Sanchez, RHP
Height: 6’4
Weight: 190
Age: 19
8/6/11 vs. Johnson City Cardinals (Appalachian League)

Fastball

His fastball sat 90-93 all game and touched 94 in the first inning. Right now, it has a 40 grade with a potential grade of 60. The biggest concern with his fastball is location. He had problems with command in the 1st and 4th innings as he threw it high in the zone several times, resulting in some hard hit balls and a wind-aided homerun. However, in the 2nd and 3rd inning, he started getting ahead of hitters with his fastball and hitting his spots on the corner. He forced a couple of awkward swings with well-placed fastballs on the outside corner. When he is hitting spots, this is a plus pitch.

Curveball

He has a sharp breaking overhand 12-6 curve that sits 77-79MPH, currently a 50 pitch with the possibility to be a 60+ if he can throw it more consistently. He struck one Cardinal out with a nasty backdoor curve that caused both me and my scout friend to turn and look at each other is awe. It can be a true strikeout pitch if he can throw it consistently at a high level and in good locations.

2-Seam/Cutter

He also threw what appeared to be a 2-seam fastball with some nice cut action towards the LH batter’s box. It was 84-88MH and it was his second most often used pitch behind his fastball.

Mechanics

He has the ideal pitcher’s frame, tall and lanky with plenty of room to fill out and add 3-4 MPH to his already impressive FB. He has a smooth, loose delivery that doesn’t put much stress on his arm; however he does have one flaw. He crosses his left leg over his right during his wind up and right before his left foot lands; it does this “twitch” like movement that causes a high release resulting in pitches up and out of the zone.

Conclusion

Overall, Sanchez has the chance to be a true #2 guy in the Blue Jays rotation with two future plus pitches. It will take time for him to develop better command and clean up his delivery, but he is only 19 and is already impressing scouts. Look for him to really take off once he learns to pitch and matures. (He didn’t have the best attitude when walking off the field after the 4th inning).

I also have notes on Gustavo Pierre, Chris Hawkins, and Myles Jay which I will be posting later, so continue to check Jays Prospects for updates!