Humberto Sánchez

Infobox MLB player


width = 150
name=Humberto Sánchez|
position=Pitcher
team=New York Yankees
number=77
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|5|28
birthplace=city-state|Santo Domingo|Dominican Republic
debutdate=September 18
debutyear=2008
debutteam=New York Yankees
statyear=2008 season
stat1label=Win-Loss
stat1value=0-0
stat2label=Earned run average
stat2value=4.50
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=1
teams=
*New York Yankees (by|2008-present)

Humberto A. Sánchez (born May 28, 1983 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees. Sanchez throws a fastball in the low to mid 90s, as well as a low 90s slider, a curveball, and a changeup.

Early life and career

Sanchez was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 9th round of the 2000 MLB Draft out of South Bronx High School in the Bronx, New York. However, Sanchez didn't sign, instead choosing to attend Rockland Community College. Following an excellent season in 2000, the Detroit Tigers decided to draft Sanchez in the 31st round in by|2001.

Professional career

After posting an 8-1 record, and winning NJCAA Region II Pitcher of the Year in by|2002, Sanchez signed for a bonus of $1 million, and began pitching in the Tigers minor league system in 2002. In by|2003, he was named to the Midwest League’s mid-season all-star team. He was 3rd in the league and tied for 5th in the minors with 78 walks. In by|2004, Sanchez was promoted to the Double-A Erie Seawolves. He was second in the Florida State League with 3 complete games. He was named the 5th best prospect in the Detroit organization following the season by Baseball America. He pitched for Mesa in the Arizona Fall League following the by|2005 season, posting a 1-0 record and 2.15 ERA in 6 starts. He was named the 6th best prospect in the Detroit organization following the season by Baseball America.

In by|2006, splitting his time between Double-A and Triple-A, he struck out 129 batters in 123 innings, while giving up only 97 hits. It was the third year in a row in which he struck out at least a batter an inning. He was the starting pitcher for the World Team at the All-Star Futures Game. He also earned International League Pitcher of the Week honors. By 2006, Sanchez had become recognized as one of the best pitching prospects in the game, and on November 10, 2006, the Tigers traded Sanchez, along with minor league pitchers Anthony Claggett and Kevin Whelan to the New York Yankees for slugger Gary Sheffield.

He underwent Tommy John surgery in the spring of by|2007, sidelining him until the by|2008 season.

On September 15, mlby|2008, he was promoted to the New York Yankees.

Humberto made his major league debut pitching for the New York Yankees in the 8th inning on September 18, 2008 against the Chicago White Sox, relieving Jose Veras. He struck out one, Paul Phillips, the first batter of his major league career.

External links

*
* [http://www.minorleaguenews.com/baseball/features/articles2006/08/fab50/05.html No. 5 - MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006] - Minor League News