Boston College Athletics
Sanchez Named No. 3 Prospect In Pirates Organization
December 02, 2009 | Baseball
Dec. 2, 2009
Former Boston College baseball standout Tony Sanchez is listed as the No. 3 prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization by Baseball America in the publication's latest issue.
Sanchez was drafted by Pittsburgh with the fourth overall pick in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft, making him the highest selection ever out of Boston College.
Sanchez was shipped to State College, Pa. after he signed his contract, where he got off to a fast start. He hit at a .308 clip in four games and had a memorable professional debut. He hit a game-winning single with one out in the ninth inning to lead the Spikes to a win.
Sanchez stayed in State College for four games before being promoted to the West Virginia Power (Low A), where he spent the majority of his first season as a pro. He hit .316 in 41 games with seven home runs, 15 doubles and 46 RBI.
After the Power's season ended, Sanchez was moved up to the Lynchburg Hillcats (High A) of the Carolina League, who were competing for the league title. In the first game of the Carolina League Championship Series against Salem, Sanchez hit an RBI double and scored a run in a win. After the Hillcats won the second game, they completed the sweep with an 8-7 win in game three. Sanchez had a hit and a run in that game, but his defensive prowess came into play when he gunned down Ryan Dent who was trying to steal second after a leadoff walk in the bottom of the eighth inning.
In his first year as a professional, Sanchez finished with a .294 batting average with seven homers, 48 RBI, 18 doubles and a triple.
