March 10, 200620 yr Marlins will take their time with Sanchez By Joe Capozzi Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Friday, March 10, 2006 JUPITER ? Of all the players the Marlins received during the off-season with their payroll-slashing trades, Anibal Sanchez was the highest-rated pitching prospect. The former Boston Red Sox right-hander probably won't make his big-league debut until later in the season, though. Sanchez threw from a mound Thursday for the first time since feeling tightness in his right shoulder the first week of camp. At the start of spring training, the Marlins had hoped Sanchez would contend for a spot in the starting rotation. Now, there's a better chance he'll start the season at Class AAA Albuquerque. "He's in a little bit different boat than all of the other pitchers here, but we've said all along we're not going to rush any of our pitchers. We're not going to abuse them," manager Joe Girardi said. Sanchez, 22, said his shoulder felt fine Thursday and that he hopes to pitch in a Grapefruit League game by the end of next week. The Marlins, however, aren't ready to project how soon Sanchez will pitch in a game. "He's a little bit behind," Girardi said. "We've just got to make sure we don't rush him. He's still got a ways to go." Sanchez, who came to Florida in the trade for Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell, didn't pitch in 2003 after having reconstructive elbow surgery. He returned in 2004 to post a 1.77 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings at Class A Lowell. He followed that in 2005 by going 9-6 with a 2.85 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 136 innings while splitting time at Class A Wilmington and Class AA Portland. On Thursday, Sanchez threw fastballs and changeups. He hopes to throw his curveball, which causes more arm stress, in his next bullpen session next week. "Right now, this is just a start," he said. "Maybe in a few weeks I'll know if have an opportunity to make the team. I don't know right now. That's not my decision." http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/conten...rlins_0310.html
March 11, 200620 yr Is he really the highest ranked? All I've read about is Petit. sanchez has much better stuff.
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