He's Back!
The biggest surprise in Marlins camp this year has been Sixto Sánchez's resurgence.
In February 2019, the Marlins traded J.T. Realmuto to the Phillies for a package headlined by the Phillies’ #1 prospect at the time, Sixto Sánchez. Sánchez shined in the minors in 2019, recording a 2.76 ERA in 114 innings. The Marlins called up Sixto in late August during the 2020 pandemic season, and he started his MLB career very strong, recording a 3.46 ERA in 39 innings and finishing 7th in NL Rookie of the Year voting. Along with a ton of personal success, Sanchez also helped the Marlins make the playoffs and win the Wild Card series against the Cubs, tossing five scoreless in game #2.
via Baseball Savant
Sixto Sánchez's problems started right before the 2021 season when he had a right shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. Sánchez suffered more setbacks during the rehab process in 2022 and early 2023 before he finally pitched in a live professional game in September 2023, throwing one inning for the AA Blue Wahoos.
Going into Marlins camp this year, it looked like Sixto Sánchez had one last chance to revive his career with the Marlins. He’s out of options and would need to be on the 26-man roster when healthy unless he clears waivers. Sánchez’s fastball was reportedly topping out at just 94 MPH during a live BP session (his average fastball velocity when he was fully healthy in 2020 was 97.6 MPH), so that wasn’t a great sign.
Sánchez made his first Spring Training live game appearance since 2021 on March 2nd, averaging 94.5 MPH on his fastball in a perfect inning against the Mets. He threw another scoreless inning against the Mets on March 8th, and his fastball averaged 94.9 MPH. On March 13, Sixto Sánchez threw two innings for the first time, averaging an impressive 97.3 MPH on his fastball and topping out at 98.8 in two hittless frames against the Nationals. Sixto’s most recent outing (March 17) was a milestone for him, as he pitched two innings three-days rest for the first time in his career. Sánchez’s stuff looked good again on the 17th, as he threw two scoreless innings and topped out at 97 MPH.
via Baseball Savant
With Opening Day being just over a week a away, it seems like Sixto Sánchez will make the Opening Day roster now, especially with Eury Perez, Braxton Garrett, and Edward Cabrera all not being fully healthy for the start of the season. I personally think Sixto can succeed in a middle relief role and be the #1 option when a 2-3 inning relief appearance is necessary, but I don’t think he’ll be in the rotation any time soon.
via Noah Berger/Fish On First