Sixto Sanchez

Sixto Sanchez

26-Year-Old PitcherSP
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
Out
Injury Shoulder
Est. Return 2/1/2025
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Sanchez saw game action with Double-A Pensacola in September for his first appearance at any level in nearly three years, but that ended up being his lone outing of the year. Injuries have long been a part of the right-hander's profile but have been insurmountable over the past few years, though he's still just 25 years old and remains a strong prospect. Sanchez had a 3.46 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 33:11 K:BB over 39 frames as a rookie in 2020, but that's the last time he was truly healthy. There's been no indication he's dealing with any issues this offseason, but his 2024 is still filled with question marks. Sanchez's significant layoff should cap his potential for this season since his workload is likely to be closely monitored, even if he's able to be available all year. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Rest of Season
From Preseason
#372
ADP
$Signed a one-year, $742,000 contract with the Marlins in March of 2024.
Elects free agency
PFree Agent  
Shoulder
November 4, 2024
Sanchez elected free agency Monday, Isaac Azout of FishOnFirst.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The Marlins outrighted him to Triple-A Jacksonville, but Sanchez has declined that assignment and will hit the free-agent market. Sanchez returned to the majors in 2024 for the first time since years of shoulder trouble, but he posted a 6.06 ERA and ended the season back on the injured list with more shoulder issues. It's not clear what his current health status is.
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Pitching Stats
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2024
2020
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Scoring
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2020 MLB Game Log
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Pitching Appearances Breakdown
Average Pitch Count
44
Last 10 Games
54
Last 5 Games
72
How many pitches does Sixto Sanchez generally throw?
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
 
1-10
 
11-20
 
21-30
 
31-40
 
41-50
 
51-60
 
61-70
 
71-80
 
81-90
 
91-100
 
101-110
 
111-120
 
121+
What part of the game does Sixto Sanchez generally pitch?
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
 
 
 
1st
 
 
 
2nd
 
 
 
3rd
 
 
 
4th
 
 
 
5th
 
 
 
6th
 
 
 
7th
 
 
 
8th
 
 
 
9th
 
Extra
% Games Reaching Innings Threshold
% Games By Number of Innings Pitched
Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2022
 
 
-11%
BAA vs LHP
2024
 
 
-11%
BAA vs LHP
2023
No Stats
2022
No Stats
BAA Batters K BB H 2B 3B HR
Since 2022vs Left .284 81 6 11 19 3 0 2
Since 2022vs Right .320 81 11 3 24 6 0 1
2024vs Left .284 81 6 11 19 3 0 2
2024vs Right .320 81 11 3 24 6 0 1
2023vs Left 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023vs Right 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022vs Left 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022vs Right 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
More Splits View More Split Stats
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2022
 
 
-23%
ERA on Road
2024
 
 
-23%
ERA on Road
2023
No Stats
2022
No Stats
ERA WHIP IP W L SV K/9 BB/9 HR/9
Since 2022Home 6.88 1.47 17.0 0 1 0 4.2 2.6 1.6
Since 2022Away 5.30 1.71 18.2 0 2 0 4.3 4.3 0.0
2024Home 6.88 1.47 17.0 0 1 0 4.2 2.6 1.6
2024Away 5.30 1.71 18.2 0 2 0 4.3 4.3 0.0
2023Home 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023Away 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022Home 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022Away 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
More Splits View More Split Stats
Stat Review
How does Sixto Sanchez compare to other starting pitchers?
This section compares his stats with all starting pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 120 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.

* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 120 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
  • K/BB
    Strikeout to walk ratio.
  • K/9
    Average strikeouts per nine innings.
  • BB/9
    Average walks per nine innings.
  • HR/9
    Average home runs allowed per nine innings.
  • Fastball
    Average fastball velocity.
  • ERA
    Earned run average. The average earned runs allowed per nine innings.
  • WHIP
    Walks plus hits per inning pitched.
  • BABIP
    Batting average on balls in play. Measures how many balls in play against a pitcher go for hits.
  • GB/FB
    Groundball to flyball ratio. The higher the number, the more likely a pitcher is to induce groundballs.
  • Left On Base
    The percentage of base runners that a pitcher strands on base over the course of a season.
  • Exit Velocity
    The speed of the baseball as it comes off the bat, immediately after a batter makes contact.
  • Barrels/BBE
    The percentage of batted ball events resulting in a Barrel. A Barrel is a batted ball with similar exit velocity and launch angle to past ones that led to a minimum .500 batting average and 1.500 slugging percentage.
  • Spin Rate
    Spin Rate is the rate of spin on a baseball after it is released. It is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm).
  • Balls Hit 95+ MPH
    The percentage of batted balls hit that met or exceeded the 95 MPH threshold.
  • Swinging Strike
    The percentage of pitches that result in a swing and a miss.
K/BB
1.21
 
K/9
4.3
 
BB/9
3.5
 
HR/9
0.8
 
Fastball
93.6 mph
 
ERA
6.06
 
WHIP
1.60
 
BABIP
.324
 
GB/FB
1.65
 
Left On Base
53.0%
 
Exit Velocity
81.5 mph
 
Barrels/BBE
3.3%
 
Spin Rate
2085 rpm
 
Balls Hit 95+ MPH
25.5%
 
Swinging Strike
5.6%
 
Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Stats Vs Today's Lineup
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Sanchez's last professional pitch was thrown Oct. 8, 2020. When he'll throw his next one is anyone's guess. Injury concerns have long been part of Sanchez's profile, but the extent to which he's been slammed by ailments over the last two seasons is rare. Shoulder issues began prior to the 2021 season and eventually led to surgery in July of that year. Initial reports once he arrived at camp last year held that he could return around midseason, but while he was able to begin throwing bullpen sessions in late July, he was shut down again in mid-August due to renewed discomfort. A cortisone shot didn't do the trick, and he eventually underwent another surgery in early October. In theory, he'll be ready to go by spring training, but expecting things to suddenly go as planned following years of setbacks seems like wishful thinking. That makes him harder to like as a lottery ticket despite his youth and talent.
It would be hard for a prospect's redraft and dynasty value to crater as much as Sanchez's has over the past year. He was arguably the top pitching prospect in baseball last winter and was getting drafted inside the top 150 of redraft leagues following his impressive showing in 2020. Elevated injury risk due to his age and fastball velocity were noted in his 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 outlooks, and indeed, his shoulder started barking last spring and he ended up getting season-ending surgery in July after trying to go the rest and rehab route for over three months. Since then, there have been reports that Sanchez has not adhered to the team's rehab plan for him, so there are now makeup concerns on top of the already very serious injury concerns. Sanchez is extremely talented when healthy, but history has taught us to not assume young pitchers will make full recoveries from incredibly significant setbacks like the one he endured in 2021.
An underwhelming finish to his rookie season allows for Sanchez to be drafted as an SP3, rather than as an SP2. Even when he scuffled down the stretch, Sanchez's fastball velocity was constant, his command and control were just off. Throwing strikes was not an issue as he cruised through the minors, bypassing Triple-A altogether, so it seems illogical to expect the bad version of Sanchez in 2021. Worth noting: he dominated the Braves in his first matchup, and was chased early the next two times they saw him. While capable of double-digit strikeout games, Sanchez is more focused on inducing weak contact (58.0 GB%) than missing bats. He has three 70-grade pitches in his 97 mph sinker, 99 mph four-seamer and 89 mph changeup, while also mixing in a power slider and mid-80s curveball. His age (22) and velocity elevate his risk of injury, and he probably won't throw more than 160 innings in his first full season.
The most important aspects of Sanchez's season were that he threw a career-high 114 innings and finished the season healthy. Miami held him back to start the year (May 3 debut) to allow him to finish strong after throwing 46.2 innings in 2018 due to elbow inflammation. The plan worked, as the 6-foot righty had a 0.95 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 39:7 K:BB in 47.1 IP over his final eight starts. He has a pair of 70-grade pitches in his upper-90s fastball and upper-80s changeup. His slider is coming along as a solid third pitch. He also has plus command, which is very rare for a 21-year-old who touches triple-digits. Sanchez is more pitcher than thrower, and his strikeout rate could improve as he hones his craft. He is high-risk from a health standpoint, simply because he is a short pitcher who throws really hard. Sanchez will open the year at Triple-A, but could join the big-league rotation in short order.
The top two predictors for Tommy John surgery: throwing really hard and recent elbow trouble. Unfortunately Sanchez gets a big checkmark in both boxes. He was touching 101 mph early in 2018 and hit the disabled list at High-A with elbow inflammation in early June. Sanchez resumed throwing in August, but never returned to game action and was scratched from the Arizona Fall League with right collarbone soreness. While his strikeout rates are not otherworldly, he looks the part of a future big-league ace when he is at his best, showing a potentially 70-grade changeup and plus breaking ball to go with that 80-grade fastball. One realistic scenario: he reports to camp 100% healthy, dominates Double-A and Triple-A hitters, and is the Phillies' No. 2 starter in 2020. Another realistic scenario: he misses a good chunk of 2019 with more elbow issues, gets Tommy John surgery in the fall and misses all of 2020, reporting to Double-A to start the 2021 season.
With a fastball that can touch 100 mph and the coolest name in the minor leagues, Sanchez has blown up as a coveted asset in dynasty leagues. In addition to his monster fastball, Sanchez throws far more strikes than the typical teenage fireballer. Those are easily his two most impressive traits. His changeup could wind up being a high-end second pitch, but it still needs refining, and his slider and curveball also flash above-average potential. A lot of the same stuff was said about Michael Kopech in past years, and now he is widely considered the game's best pitching prospect, but that's not to say there isn't significant risk in investing in a high-velocity teenager with developing secondaries. His height (six feet) also stands out as a risk factor, as shorter pitchers typically struggle to get downward plane on their fastball. However, he has given up just two home runs in 174.2 innings. Sanchez should head back to High-A to begin 2018, and he appears to be on track for an MLB debut in 2019.
Sanchez, who was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, made his stateside debut last year as a 17-year-old in the Gulf Coast League. He was impressive in 11 starts, going 5-0 with a 0.50 ERA and a 44:8 K:BB in 54 innings. Sanchez is just six feet tall, but he has a mid-90s fastball with movement that tops out at 99 mph. He has shown good command of that pitch for someone of his age and experience. Sanchez also boasts a curveball and changeup that each have a chance to be plus offerings in time. While he is shorter than most starting pitching prospects, Sanchez is a sturdy 200 pounds, and has a starter's repertoire and command. Dynasty league owners will only hold a pitcher's size against him for so long, so this is a good time to buy. He is expected to open the season at Low-A Lakewood, and if he starts missing more bats with his secondaries, he will go from trendy sleeper to top-100 prospect in a hurry.
More Fantasy News
Beginning rehab assignment Saturday
PMiami Marlins  
Shoulder
September 20, 2024
Sanchez (shoulder) will throw one inning or 25 pitches with Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Facing hitters again
PMiami Marlins  
Shoulder
September 17, 2024
Sanchez (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session last Friday, MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Tosses 15-pitch bullpen
PMiami Marlins  
Shoulder
August 23, 2024
Sanchez (shoulder) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Building up through side sessions
PMiami Marlins  
Shoulder
August 5, 2024
The Marlins announced Monday that Sanchez (shoulder) continues to increase the intensity of his throwing during bullpen sessions, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Tosses another bullpen
PMiami Marlins  
Shoulder
July 2, 2024
Sanchez (shoulder) threw a 26-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Playing catch Saturday
PMiami Marlins  
June 18, 2022
Sanchez will play catch off the mound Saturday, reports Christina De Nicola of MLB.com.
ANALYSIS
While Sanchez is not expected to pitch for the Marlins this year, he is progressing with his throwing program as he recovers from shoulder surgery. The righty has not appeared in a game at any level since making seven starts for Miami in 2020. It's possible he could make some appearances in the minors before the season ends but a return to the Marlins will likely not come until 2023.
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