Player Development for every player is both the same yet different. As an observer of the process for the past ten years I’ve noted that while many practices are structured with the same routines (Infield, BP, PFP’s, Catcher’s Drills, Fly Balls, Strength and Conditioning, side bullpens, etc.) it’s the individuals within them that keep me fascinated. In previous years that was more as a daily observer, I’d be there for the first bullpen sessions of a pitcher returning from injury or their initial live BP or the first game of a newly drafted or signed player and then many more thereafter. This year has been a bit different for me in that regard, due to the extremities of the weather, my own personal issues and the ability to observe in other means. It’s still the daily process that is distinctive though - the grind as it’s often referred to that is intriguing.
When I watch a player such as Christopher Sanchez throw a three hit complete game shutout in the bigs with no walks like he did last night and marvel with others at the pitcher he’s become I also reflect on the non-linear path with which he got to this point. Christopher became a Phillie on November 20th, 2019 in a trade with the Tampa Rays in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead. The then 22 year old Sanchez was considered “a viable piece for the Rays' minor league affiliates. Across stints with Bowling Green (Low A), Charlotte (High A), and Durham (AAA), the then 22-year-old compiled an impressive 2.26 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 75.2 innings of work.” He was Rule 5 eligible and the Rays had to make a tough decision to not protect him on the 40 man roster choosing to trade him instead for Mead, a viable prospect in his own right but one who wasn’t yet eligible for the draft.
Of course 2020 was a lost season as spring training camp shut down on March 12th as did the world for the elongated isolation we all endured due to the pandemic. Christopher made just two appearances in that his first big league spring camp, he later spent some time training at the “Alternate Site” in Allentown as part of the expanded 60 man special roster expansion to get thru that shortened season but saw no game action. He did make a couple appearances in the Dominican Winter League.
In 2021 baseball returned to Spring Training albeit tickets were sold at limited capacity only. The complex was closed to the public but we still observed as best we could from beyond the fences using ladders (yes we actually did that 🤦♂️). After appearing in a couple Grapefruit League games Christopher began the year on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs roster as part of their starting rotation. He got his first call to the big leagues in June and appeared in his first game on 6/6/21 against the Washington Nationals - he would make seven major league appearances that season but spent the brunt of the year at Lehigh Valley making 17 starts in the 19 minor league games he pitched in - the numbers weren’t great but respectable, he threw a total of 85.2 innings (73 in the minors). Christopher also pitched in the Dominican Winter League for Toros del Este appearing in eleven games totaling 13 IP.
He threw hard - we noted a three pitch mix in our profile coming into the 2022 season - fastball (range of 90 to 95 mph - max 96/97), slider (83 to 86 mph) and change up (83 to 87 mph). I got to see him pitch in person that spring, it was evident that he had major league stuff - he could throw the ball past hitters. It seemed like a power arsenal was his calling. Sanchez made the Phillies 2022 opening day roster as a member of the bullpen. That season he would appear in 15 major league games (3 spot starts) totaling 40 IP while also pitching in 15 minor league games (14 starts) for LHV amassing 57.1 IP there - a total of 97.1 IP for the year. He was on the AAA/MLB shuttle - I remember a game on September 24th which I thought was his best of the season - he started for the IronPigs and pitched seven shutout innings allowing just one hit - he did walk four batters as his control was somewhat erratic due primarily in my opinion to the yo-yo role but I distinctly remember how he pitched that day - yes there were six strikeouts but he used his full arsenal and actually “pitched” - it was a glimpse of what might be. He once again pitched some winter ball in the Dominican - seven innings in seven games for the Toros.
2023 spring training was billed as the year of competition for the fifth starter’s role in the major league rotation between Christopher and fellow lefty Bailey Falter. The competition ended in camp as Christopher was placed on the IL on 3/30 with a left triceps strain. He returned to action on April 11th in a start for Lehigh Valley, he made a spot start for the Phillies on 4/22 but then returned to LHV. On June 17th he was recalled and from that point on became a fixture in the Phillies rotation even making a playoff start in October. He threw a total of 149 innings in 2023 (99.1 in the Majors) appearing in 29 games (26 starts) with 19 appearances in the majors - we saw a full transformation from a mid nineties “thrower” to a “pitcher” who featured a change up that he had all along but had not focused on. His development process from his instructors was to trust his stuff, to attack the zone and not worry so much about velocity as compared to movement and command. In 450.1 minor league innings he had walked 210 batters but in 99.1 major league innings in 2023 he walked just 16. It became a revelation that he could not only pitch in the major leagues but be very good at it.
Which brings us back to the present - Christopher continues to attack the zone and now does so with the fastball returning to the consistent mid 90’s form he had previously but with extreme confidence and vigor in his command and control as a “pitcher”. The changeup is a devastating pitch for him but as I saw on the back fields in 2022 the other pitches are plus quality as well. He’s now dominating and has a secure contract to boot!
I have the privilege of watching players develop - I’m no expert at anything but I do know that development is a process. You can’t justify or make an informed opinion based on just one day’s observation or one level’s success/failure. You also should not be so smug as to discount the impact made of the minor league growth and maturation on a player. I’ve seen pitchers who I was very excited about (Alberto Tirado, Nicoly Pina and Francisco Morales as three examples) who’s stuff jumped off the charts when I first saw them but then the inability to command/control and/or injuries negated their development and they went from guys with electric stuff to being out of baseball or trying to find their way in other organizations. It’s really cool to see a player like Christopher Sanchez blossom instead - one that you’ve seen grow. That’s good stuff!
Last night another one of my favorites, Johan Rojas, returned to the majors and did something I’ve watched him do multiple times in the minors. He hit a ground single to center field and when the fielder hesitated just briefly to retrieve it Johan turned it into a double with his legs. It’s the aggressiveness that was missing when he was optioned. I’ve watched the young man play since his teen years - he has to play free of fear and utilize his strengths to truly show what I believe he can become in the show. Similar to what Christopher has found he needs to have faith that he can do so and support to do it. Yes he will make some mistakes, every young player does - for that matter every player does regardless of age but he needs to play with the unbridled passion and enthusiasm that I first witnessed on the backfields when he was a triples machine to truly achieve his capabilities. It’s what I continually tell him via messages - there’s a very good player there - there’s a real chance to see him blossom and grow the way I know he can and that too will be good stuff!
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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