Gaby Sanchez

It has been a great week and a half, but an exhausting one as well. We started off 0-2, won four consecutive games and have now lost 2. I was able to face one of my old teammates Dan Touchet from the University of Miami in my first game. I got a hit and it felt great because now I have bragging rights. Thursday was an incredible game. One of the longest nine-inning games I have ever played in, thats for sure. We were trailing 11-0 after four innings and the Saguaros had a no-hitter going. But, we managed to come back and beat them 17-15. The game seemed to go on forever and both squads combined for 40 hits. I think our coach was pleased to see that we don't give up. On Friday, we beat our fellow Peoria team again, 9-8 in 10 innings. Even though we beat the Saguaros in both games, they played great baseball and both were hard-fought games. Saturday we played the Scorpions, but I watched from the sidelines on my day off. I was glad my friend and former teammate Ryan Braun got two hits, but glad that we won the game. My parents arrived Saturday and will be visiting for the next 2 weeks. It's not too bad because my father thinks he my good luck charm and I always supposedly hit when he is here. You know what's funny I let him think he is. Sunday was our first off day and I got to hang out with my parents. After sleeping through the morning for much-needed sleep my parents picked me up and we had a family day. We went to the mall and caught a movie. On my days off I like to just relax so it was a great day. After the movie my parents dropped me off a at home and I had to get ready and prepare for Monday as a new week of baseball was upon me. On Monday we picked up our 4th win beating Mesa 11-4. I got two hits and two RBI. Of course, my dad thought it was because he was in attendance. The last two games I haven't gotten a hit, but I have been hitting the ball hard. These guys have been making some pretty good plays all season. Now, I want to answer some of the question you guys have been asking me. It's hard to say who is the best pitcher that I have faced. There are a lot of different pitchers that do many different things. Some are soft throwers with good off speed pitches like curve balls, change ups, and sliders. Then you have the flame throwers that come after you with the fast balls and hard sliders. I really cant say which pitcher is the best, but I can tell you what pitchers are harder to hit. The pitchers that are harder to hit are those that have good sinking pitches. These pitchers throw about 91 to 93 and throw two seemers and cutters. The two seemer will cut hard and down on the right batters so it looks like a strike and will break down and out of the zone. The cutters will do the opposite and break away from the batter (almost like a slider). I loved playing at UM and I had a great time there. It was a great experience and it help me learn more about the game of baseball as well as to compete at a high level. It is a prestigious program and playing for the "U" teaches you how to be a winner. When you play for a team that is always in contention to win a national title, it makes you understand how to win and battle on the field. I would do it all again if I could and recommend all parents whose kids play ball to steer them into the direction of college unless they get drafted in the first round. Playing in college helps you start your career and teaches you how to train your body and how to play the game correctly. The coaches I played for at UM were wonderful and they taught me a lot. Thank you for your questions and I will try to answer them as soon as possible. Things are very busy up here but whenever I get the chance I will definitely keep looking at the site and updating it every week.

Hey everyone. My name is Gaby Sanchez and I am writing to you from Peoria. I am playing for the Javelinas and am really excited to be on a team with all this talent. Unfortunately, we haven?t won a game yet. A little background info. I was born and raised in Miami, played high school ball at Brito, played college ball at the University of Miami and am thrilled to be a part of the Marlins organization. I got drafted in 2005 and played for the Jamestown Jammers in the New York-Penn League. I had a pretty decent year and I was able to accomplish many of the first-year goals I had set for myself. I batted .355, but only hit five home runs. I vowed to work on my power in the off-season. Last season started off good also. I started off in Greensboro on a team that had lots of first-rounders. I hit well in the beginning of the season, but right before the All-Star break, I broke my hand. I was upset because I really wanted to be a part of the All-Star game, but I guess there is always next year. I left North Carolina with a .317 average. I did my rehab in Jupiter and when I was better, I played for a few weeks with the Hammerheads. But, just a few weeks later, I broke my foot rounding third base. It was hard to be back on the sidelines, but I know that getting hurt is just a part of the game. Now, I am back and 100 percent healthy and it feels great. Arizona has been pretty fun so far. I have a nice place with a couple of roommates, Brian Cleveland and Yunel Escobar. It?s great to be back in action. We have played two games so far. I have done alright. I am currently 3-for-7 with a double. Your batting average changes so much early in the season. Just one hit can bump you 100 points. It?s crazy. Alright, well I am going to get going, but please feel free to ask me any questions. I hope to make you guys proud over here in Arizona.