Tommy Viola ‏@Tommy_the_V

 

@whitesox Just 20 years old and on his way to @KnightsBaseball. Carlos Sanchez was hitting .370 for Double-A Birmingham, now he's a #Knight.

I am shocked by this information.

 

No, not really.

 

12 games plus the IL playoffs.

Edited August 22, 201213 yr by flavum

Is he a legitimate "top prospect" or the best one in a low ranked minor league system? What is his major league position going to be, and how far away is he? Is he an OBP guy, power hitter?

Watch out Gordon.

Is he a legitimate "top prospect" or the best one in a low ranked minor league system? What is his major league position going to be, and how far away is he? Is he an OBP guy, power hitter?

He's a batting average guy. He's not a legit top prospect. If everything goes well, he could pencil in as a decent major leaguer. His biggest flaw is probably that he's lacking power, but he's also very very young, and the difference between 0 HR and 10 HR is pretty large. He isn't expected to excel at being a speed guy or a defense guy, so he needs to hit.

 

But...if he were to start playing some 2b or 3b, right now the Sox look to have needs at either of those positions. He's so young it's difficult to see him doing anything but spending most of next year in the minors, but if he keeps hitting >.300, he'll wind up in the majors at some point.

He's a batting average guy. He's not a legit top prospect. If everything goes well, he could pencil in as a decent major leaguer. His biggest flaw is probably that he's lacking power, but he's also very very young, and the difference between 0 HR and 10 HR is pretty large. He isn't expected to excel at being a speed guy or a defense guy, so he needs to hit.

 

But...if he were to start playing some 2b or 3b, right now the Sox look to have needs at either of those positions. He's so young it's difficult to see him doing anything but spending most of next year in the minors, but if he keeps hitting >.300, he'll wind up in the majors at some point.

 

I agree with most of this, though reports on his 2B and 3B defense I've seen are very positive. He was initially a shortstop. Otherwise, yeah, that's the ticket.

 

I said it in PHT, I am betting Sanchez is in AAA in 2013, and they give Gordon one more long look at 2B. If his performance this August and September, and first half next year, are a significant improvement (in terms of offense), he keeps the job. If not, Sanchez gets the call, and Gordo becomes a utility IF.

 

I agree with most of this, though reports on his 2B and 3B defense I've seen are very positive. He was initially a shortstop. Otherwise, yeah, that's the ticket.

 

I said it in PHT, I am betting Sanchez is in AAA in 2013, and they give Gordon one more long look at 2B. If his performance this August and September, and first half next year, are a significant improvement (in terms of offense), he keeps the job. If not, Sanchez gets the call, and Gordo becomes a utility IF.

Good point. I'm not saying he'll be Konerko on defense, I'm just not expecting him to be Cal Ripken with the glove. He could fill in as an average 2b or 3b and be very useful to this team.

 

Fair?

Good point. I'm not saying he'll be Konerko on defense, I'm just not expecting him to be Cal Ripken with the glove. He could fill in as an average 2b or 3b and be very useful to this team.

 

Fair?

Wasn't trying to make it a thing, just pointing out that his defense may turn out to be pretty good. I haven't seen any indication it is likely to be bad.

 

Also, weird reference... Konerko? He was actually an above average defensive player until recently, and he's still OK at 1B. Or did you mean if Konerko played 2B? 'Cause yeah, that would be ugly.

 

Not shocked here. He was eating up AA pitching. Might as well see what he looks like for a couple of weeks against AAA.

 

Hard to project him at this point. Consider that he turned 20 on June 29th... and that he began last year in Bristol. Hell... two years ago he was playing in the Dominican League.

 

I'm guessing KW saw something about Sanchez he liked in his recent scouting road trip.

 

Edited August 22, 201213 yr by scenario

Thinking ahead a step, this would put another IF on the Knights roster for their playoff run if the Sox wanted to recall either Morel or Lopez on Sept 1.

Thinking ahead a step, this would put another IF on the Knights roster for their playoff run if the Sox wanted to recall either Morel or Lopez on Sept 1.

 

Good point

 

It's good to see him get pushed, but I'm fairly sure this wouldn't be happening if the Knights weren't going to be in the playoffs.

Still seems like he is just an empty average guy. I'm not holding my breath.

Still seems like he is just an empty average guy. I'm not holding my breath.

If he can play defense as good as advertised isn't that an upgrade over what the Sox currently have?

If he can play defense as good as advertised isn't that an upgrade over what the Sox currently have?

 

Yeah, but until Sanchez is hitting .300+ in the majors, I'm not going to expect anything.

Yeah, but until Sanchez is hitting .300+ in the majors, I'm not going to expect anything.

Who says he has to hit .300? I'll take an empty .280.

Gordon feeling someone's breath behind him? Good seems to be working for both of them.

Sanchez is 4th in all of minor league baseball in hits this year with 159.

 

He's averaging 1.3 hits per game.

 

 

From the Trib:

 

In a combined 122 games with Class-A Winston-Salem and Birmingham, Sanchez is hitting .329 with one home run, 55 RBIs, 75 runs scored, 23 doubles, seven triples and 26 stolen bases.

 

 

From the Trib:

 

So the doubles and triples are fine just only 1 HR is a bit alarming given he is 4th in hits. Has anyone actually seen Sanchez play at all?

So the doubles and triples are fine just only 1 HR is a bit alarming given he is 4th in hits. Has anyone actually seen Sanchez play at all?

 

The power will probably come with age.

The power will probably come with age.

 

That is just a copout answer... sometimes you either have it or dont.

He seems like a good number 2 hitter. Gordon's gotta feel the pressure a little. I like the way he plays defense, but if Sanchez is good with the glove and can hit .280, I don't see how the Sox can not go with him over Beckham next year. Not right away, but if Beckham blows like he has the first half, he's in trouble. Even if it is an empty .280 AVG, that looks way better at what is currently in the 9th spot.

Sanchez also has 41 walks on the year, which is pretty amazing for a Latin player who literally turned 20 on June 29th.

 

I get the power numbers are low, but this is a guy who should probably be in Kannapolis based on his age. He's already displayed a plus hit tool, an above-average eye (given his age), and reports say he is a very good defensive 2B.

 

This kid will probably begin 2013 in AAA as a 20 year old. Maybe his power don't improve much, there's no way to really know, but I would expect his walk rates and defense to get even better time.

That is just a copout answer... sometimes you either have it or dont.

 

He turned 20 less than 2 months ago. It's hardly inconceivable that he'll add some power.

 

Even if he doesn't, that doesn't mean he can't be productive.

 

I read an article yesterday comparing him to Luis Castillo. His minor league SB numbers don't suggest he has that speed but those are not always indicative of that. I know I'd take a Castillo-like player for several years