When the Tigers signed Yosber Sanchez in the spring of 2023, the hard-throwing right-hander was a former Rangers prospect with 23 walks and 37 strikeouts over 30 2/3 innings between the 2019 and ‘21 Dominican Summer League seasons and a lost 2022 campaign. Now, he could be the next prospect to climb the Tigers’ pitching pipeline and make an impact in Detroit. It’s still a ways off; Sanchez just made his Double-A debut for Erie last Friday. But the more he throws, the more he impresses. “At the beginning [of my career], it was a little tough. I went through a lot of injuries,” Sanchez said last summer through a translator. “Once I learned how to take care of myself better, I was very thankful for the opportunity the Tigers gave me. I’ve been really focused on staying healthy so I can perform on the field. Even though I was released, it was kind of a blessing, where I could see myself better and be more detailed with my work.” Sanchez’s injuries never required surgery, he said, but they were enough to impact his command. |
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He slashed his walk rate dramatically upon joining the Tigers' system, but he caught more attention for his power fastball, which approaches triple digits -- big for a pitcher listed at 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds. He struck out 48 batters over 29 2/3 innings across three levels in 2023, culminating at Single-A Lakeland. Last year, he fanned 82 batters over 61 innings with a 1.92 ERA in 40 games between Lakeland and High-A West Michigan. Just as impressive, he averaged 4.4 walks per nine innings. One difference, he said, was not trying to be too fine with his location, aiming for the plate and letting his pitches naturally move rather than trying to aim for the corners. Another difference was his preparation and learning a routine that keeps him in the zone, fitting of the Tigers’ organizational philosophy. Sanchez was on the Tigers’ prospect-loaded roster for their Spring Breakout game against the Braves but did not pitch. He opened the season on the injured list with a right finger laceration but quickly worked his way back. His fastball reached 99 miles per hour on his rehab assignment at Lakeland, according to Statcast, then sat at 96-98 during his Seawolves debut on a rainy night at Harrisburg, Pa. He tossed 1 1/3 hitless innings with a walk and a strikeout before the game was called in the ninth inning. Sanchez turns 24 years old on May 22. He’ll likely get an extended look in Erie as he learns the finer points of pitching and the nuances of location while working with top catching prospect Thayron Liranzo, with whom he worked at West Michigan. But with a relative dearth of pure power pitchers in the system following years of big arms, he has a chance to fill a role if he can continue to hone the art of pitching. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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The Tigers’ visit to Houston this week is a homecoming for reliever Will Vest, who was born in Houston and stayed in-state for college. Which university did Vest attend? A. Baylor B. Dallas Baptist C. Stephen F. Austin D. Texas |
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Fans of the HBO series The Last of Us might have caught a Tigers reference in the latest episode. It took place as a group of kids were playing baseball outside. Gail, a character (played by award-winning actress Catherine O’Hara) tells Tommy (played by Gabriel Luna) that she’s not only a baseball fan, but was a Tigers season ticket holder before the zombie apocalypse around which the series is set. The scene included a reference to the 2003 Tigers, whose 119 losses set an American League record that stood until the White Sox broke it last year. Mike Maroth and Matt Anderson were not available for comment. |
MAY THE NINTH BE WITH YOU |
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The Tigers are on the road for the next week-plus, but they’ll return home for the first weekend in May with a three-game series against the Rangers. The showdown begins on Friday, May 9 with the Tigers’ annual Star Wars Night celebration. A special ticket package for the event includes a Colt-bi-wan Keith-nobi bobblehead. More information is available at tigers.com/starwars. |
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C. Stephen F. Austin Vest played three seasons for SFA, but only pitched for one -- in 2017 -- after converting from an infielder. He’s one of four Major Leaguers to come out of the program. |
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