As the Miami Marlins chase their first playoff berth since the 2020 season, they are getting good news on the injury front as former top prospect Sixto Sanchez is taking the mound again in his rehab assignment.
Sanchez, who was the 15th-ranked prospect in baseball in 2021 and the 58th-ranked prospect in 2022, hasn't pitched in a game since the 2020 season, sidelined with injury. He's had multiple shoulder surgeries.
Per Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald on social media:
Sixto Sanchez is expected to pitch one inning (or 20 pitches) with Double A Pensacola on Tuesday. (!!!!) #Marlins
That's great news for him personally, but it could also be great news in the future for the Marlins, who could utilize Sanchez as a starter or a reliever in 2024 if he's healthy.
He went 3-2 for the Marlins in the 2020 season with a 3.46 ERA in seven games. He was just 21 in that season so still offers a lot of upside at 25 years old.
Per his previous MLB.com prospect profiles:
Few pitching prospects can match Sanchez's combination of pure stuff and command. He owns a pair of well-above-average pitches in his fastball -- he throws both a 95-97 mph power sinker and a 97-99 mph four-seamer that reaches triple digits with riding action -- and his upper-80s changeup that dives when it arrives at the plate. He uses his mid-80s curveball sparingly but it shows flashes of becoming a plus offering, and he also has a promising upper-80s cutter that needs more consistency.
He was acquired by the Marlins in a previous trade for JT Realmuto with the Philadelphia Phillies.
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