To say that it has been a strange start to the 2020 MLB season for the Miami Marlins would be an understatement.
An outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic within the organization forced the team off the field for more than a week after the initial weekend of action. Despite, this Miami got off to one of the best starts in franchise history.
Now 9-9 and only 1.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East, the Marlins are making moves to add reinforcements to their roster. The Marlins have called up top prospects Sixto Sanchez and Jesus Sanchez.
This seemingly came completely out of nowhere. Sixto Sanchez headed into the 2020 season as the Marlins’ top prospect, according to MLB.com. Acquired in the blockbuster J.T. Realmuto trade in February of 2019, he’s seen as a future ace for the big-league club.
The other Sanchez came in at No. 4 within the Marlins’ organization during the spring. The Dominican Republic native projects as a potential middle of the order bat. Here’s a breakdown of the two.
Sixto Sanchez minor-league stats tell us a story
The 22-year-old righty pitched to an 8-6 record with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in 20 starts between Single-A and Double-A last season. For his career, Sanchez has recorded a robust 2.58 ERA in the minors.
It’s not yet known whether Sanchez will be a starter when he joins the Marlins or initially come out of the bullpen.
Jesus Sanchez could be an upgrade for struggling Marlins lineup
Four of Miami’s regular starters are hitting .235 or worst. For his part, Sanchez is a career .298 hitter in the minors. Last season alone, he hit .260 with 13 homers and 63 RBI in three minor league stops.
Although, Sanchez also struck out an alarmingly high 100 times in 415 at-bats. He’s going to have to fix that in order to be a regular in Miami’s lineup.
Bottom line
Miami is in a unique situation in that it boasts a 9-9 record and has played seven less games than the first-place Atlanta Braves.
It already has five doubleheaders scheduled for the final five weeks of the regular season. That’s where Sixto Sanchez and his impressive minor-league work comes into play.
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