Blue Jays Player Profile: Aaron Sanchez

The Blue Jays have started their 2016 season with a 6-7 record. Not exactly what fans were expecting out the gate after the success they witnessed last season. Although, with 90% of the season still to go, fans need not worry. This team will compete for the AL East title. One key player that will be responsible for this is starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez.

The early goings of the season are showing that having him in the rotation was a very smart move by Gibbons and the coaching staff. He has pitched seven innings in two of his starts and has twenty total IP this year with 20 strikeouts to match. His 1.35 ERA and 0.85 WHIP aren’t too shabby either. The season is still early but this early success will certainly build his confidence and establish him as a force to be reckoned with. His fastball can reach 97MPH and his curveball and changeup are only going to get better with experience.

Drafted 34^th overall by Toronto in 2010 he was expected to be an important part of their pitching staff in the near future. His minor league record, 18-24, and 3.54 ERA may not jump out too many, but he is going to be a great arm in the majors. He pitched a total of 366.0 innings in the minor league ranks and averaged a strikeout per inning, something all teams desire in a hopeful starter. He kept batters to a .229 average over this time as well and maintained a WHIP of 1.37. He made his debut on July 23^rd 2014 and spent the second half of that season in the bullpen.

He was ranked the 44^th best prospect in baseball in 2015 though he spent the majority of that season also coming out of the bullpen. A small right lat injury forced him to spend some time on the DL and rehabbing in the minors. Coming out of the pen in 2015 he worked to a 7-6 record over 92.1 innings. His strikeout numbers may have been down, manufacturing only sixty-one in this time, but spring of 2016 would bring a new season and new opportunities. He earned the 5^th rotation spot and aims to show it was the right decision.

He is recognised as the first major league player to come out of Barstow California, and on October, 20^th 2014 the city of 25,000 people declared it to be “Aaron Sanchez Day”. He may be confused with the iconic chef at times, but he is quickly cooking up a recipe of success of his own on the mound. Don’t let his youth and inexperience fool you, he has the tools to perform at an elite level in the majors and will continue to grow into a possible #2 starter on this team.

Along with Stroman, the Blue Jays have a young 1-2 punch in their starting rotation that will help them compete in the difficult AL East for the foreseeable future. Strochez will not just be a trend on Twitter, but a trend Jays fans should be excited to see. Their friendship is well documented and the chemistry they have only makes them better.

Having a veteran catcher in Martin is also vital in a young pitchers’ career. You don’t have to go out and think, just trust your stuff and throw what Martin puts down. You will rarely see Sanchez shake off this season, the only shaking you will see with him on the mound is that of the opposing batters’ heads as they walk back to the dugout after a strikeout.

You can follow Aaron on Twitter @A_Sanch41 along with myself @GHam614 and Super Two Sports @SuperTwo_Sports

Thank you again to all our readers and we hope you continue to enjoy the MLB season along with all the exciting playoff action the NBA and NHL brings this time of year. As a sports fan, April is by far my favourite month. May I conclude this article with a quick shout out to my Dad. It was his birthday on the 17^th and he was the one who first got me interested in the sporting world and helped nurture my love of the game. Thanks Coach!