TONY SANCHEZ
CATCHER
BOSTON COLLEGE - JUNIOR
6'1", 220 LBS
Two years ago, the Pirates had a chance to take a catcher in the first round. That young man is now a Baltimore Oriole (and a well-paid Oriole at that). So with long-term needs starting to fall into place at several other positions, the team pulled the trigger on a catcher in the first round of this year's draft, selecting Boston College's Tony Sanchez with the fourth overall pick.
Sanchez, a junior, is not considered the "once-in-a-lifetime" prospect that Wieters was/is. But just like in 2007, money was a big factor in the Pirates' selection. Rotowire.com suggests that Sanchez was overdrafted by 20 slots, which is always music to Pirate fans' ears. Of course, if they spend that saved money on later-round picks like they did last year, then I guess it balances out.
Sanchez becomes the third catcher chosen by the Pirates in the June draft, joining Neal Walker at #11 overall in 2004 and Jason Kendall (22nd overall) in 1992. He has worked hard on his body, and actually credits the Subway diet as helping him along the way. 5-6 times per week, Sanchez dines on turkey and tuna on wheat, with lettuce, onions and mustard. Jared Fogle, watch your back.
Said GM Neal Huntington on his first-round pick:
"With the selection of Sanchez, we add a young man with a combination of present abilities, potential upside and personal traits that is matched by few in the draft. He is an advanced player at a premium position and was the highest-rated player on our board when it came time for the Pirates to make their selection."
The Pirates have four choices in the first three rounds, getting an extra pick in the second because they failed to sign pitcher Tanner Scheppers from last year's draft class. More details on the 2009 draft will be posted as they become available.
Sanchez, a junior, is not considered the "once-in-a-lifetime" prospect that Wieters was/is. But just like in 2007, money was a big factor in the Pirates' selection. Rotowire.com suggests that Sanchez was overdrafted by 20 slots, which is always music to Pirate fans' ears. Of course, if they spend that saved money on later-round picks like they did last year, then I guess it balances out.
Sanchez becomes the third catcher chosen by the Pirates in the June draft, joining Neal Walker at #11 overall in 2004 and Jason Kendall (22nd overall) in 1992. He has worked hard on his body, and actually credits the Subway diet as helping him along the way. 5-6 times per week, Sanchez dines on turkey and tuna on wheat, with lettuce, onions and mustard. Jared Fogle, watch your back.
Said GM Neal Huntington on his first-round pick:
"With the selection of Sanchez, we add a young man with a combination of present abilities, potential upside and personal traits that is matched by few in the draft. He is an advanced player at a premium position and was the highest-rated player on our board when it came time for the Pirates to make their selection."
The Pirates have four choices in the first three rounds, getting an extra pick in the second because they failed to sign pitcher Tanner Scheppers from last year's draft class. More details on the 2009 draft will be posted as they become available.
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3 comments:
The following guy from SI.com must be on drugs, drunk, or something. He has the Pirates as 12th in MLB in drafting in the last 10 years.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/david_sabino/06/07/draft.rankings/index.html
Anyway, LETS GO PENS!!!
Wow, this a great news. Two years ago they would have over drafted by 40 slots. Today it is only 20 slots.
the pirates later traded sanchez to the braves for coupons to giant eagle and a case of dad's root beer
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