Better know your Blue Jays 40-man: Aaron Sanchez

It is hard for me to believe that Aaron Sanchez is just 26. (just 14 months older than Ryan Borucki). We’ve been talking about him for so long. He was one of our top prospects. Then he got called up in July of 2014 and had a terrific run as a setup man.

In 2015 he made 11 starts and 30 relief appearances and we started arguing about whether Sanchez would be better as a starter or a reliever. One of those arguments where we all assume we know more than we do.

In 2016, he was a full-time starter, making 30 starts and posting the best ERA in the AL. We thought we had our next star.

The 2017 season was lost to blisters and well, blister remedies. 2018 had some good moments, some bad moments and it ended with his finger getting caught in the handle of some luggage. He made 20 starts, but, other than the odd game here and there, he never seemed quite himself.

This spring? Well, he says he’s finally healthy.

And he’s pitched like he’s healthy. putting up a 1.53 ERA. In 17.2 innings he’s allowed 9 hits (mostly ground ball singles), 7 walks (too many) and 14 strikeouts. He’s been getting almost 2 ground balls to every fly ball.

PECOTA is not impressed. It figures Sanchez to have a 4.56 ERA in 24 starts and 137 innings. I can’t blame them, it is pretty tough to project that he’s going to suddenly become healthy.

I am more hopeful, but then I’ve been able to watch him pitch this spring and PECOTA hasn’t. The good news is that none of the recent injuries have been arm related. And the injuries have limited the wear and tear on his arm. Sometimes pitchers whose innings are limited when they are younger age well.

I’d love all the Jays players to have a great season, but there is no one I’m rooting for more than Aaron. He’s had nothing but bad luck. I’m hoping it turns for him this year. It would be so nice if both he and Marcus had terrific seasons.

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