Get To Know: Marlins 1B Gaby Sanchez

We here at Fantasy Source want to make sure you're as prepared for the '09 season as possible. That's why we're running a series of posts in the Fastball titled "Get To Know," where we identify prospects and unheralded bench players who have a chance to make an impact soon.

Earlier this week we introduced you to the Cardinals' David Freese, who has a chance to fill in at third base with Troy Glaus missing time. Today, let's get to know Marlins prospect Gaby Sanchez.

Despite never seeing a pitch in Triple-A, the 25-year-old Sanchez is the front-runner to open the season as the starting first baseman in South Florida now that Mike Jacobs is gone. Of course, Sanchez will need a solid spring to convince the Marlins to keep Jorge Cantu at third base and the power-hitting Dallas McPherson (42 home runs in 448 Triple-A at-bats last season) on the bench.

Sanchez, a righthanded hitter, has impressed in the minors, sporting a career .305 average in more than 1,400 at-bats. Last season at Double-A, he compiled a .314-17-92 line in 478 at-bats en route to being named the Southern League's MVP. He's also tough to strike out, as evidenced by his 14.6 percent K rate in '08 and his nearly 1-to-1 career K-to-BB ratio in the minors.

While he has a big frame at 6-2, 225, Sanchez is unlikely to replace the power lost by the departure of Jacobs, now in Kansas City. The 17 homers last season were Sanchez's career high, so owners shouldn't expect much more than that in his first season in the majors. But Sanchez also possesses decent speed, swiping 17 bases last season and 41 total in his minor-league career. That's a nice bonus coming from a 1B option.

An interesting fact about Sanchez is that he was an all-conference catcher at the Univ. of Miami before moving over to first in the minors. It would be nice if the Marlins still had plans on using him as a catcher considering his 20-homer potential and ability to chip in 10-15 steals. Eligibility at C would bump Sanchez up to a mixed-league sleeper, especially with only John Baker and Mike Rabelo on the depth chart. But for now Sanchez should be limited to NL-only and deeper mixed leagues.

(sportingnews.com)