Twins' Woods Richardson appreciates lessons he learned from Aaron Sanchez
TORONTO — The Blue Jays signed Aaron Sanchez to a minor-league deal earlier this week, bringing again a pitcher who was as soon as an integral piece within the group. However, Sanchez is years faraway from his days as an influence right-hander and due to that, the transfer largely fell underneath the radar.
Simeon Woods Richardson heard concerning the signing, although.
The Minnesota Twins right-hander constructed a relationship with Sanchez throughout their time collectively in triple-A. Woods Richardson spent most of final season with the St. Paul Saints whereas Sanchez spent the primary half of the marketing campaign with the Twins’ affiliate earlier than he was launched in late July.
“He’s a great clubhouse guy,” Woods Richardson mentioned. “High-energy guy who’s been around the block for a while. So, I just kind of picked his brain a little bit and talked about some things and what helped him through his career.”
Sanchez, a first-round choose of the Blue Jays in 2010, was a heralded prospect within the group’s system. He broke into the big-leagues as a reliever in 2014 and spent a while within the rotation the subsequent 12 months earlier than successful the American League ERA title in 2016. He posted a 3.00 ERA throughout 30 begins and 192 innings that season, fronting the beginning workers for a Blue Jays membership that superior to the AL Championship Series.
That represented the head of Sanchez’s profession, which has been derailed by blister points and a 2019 surgical procedure on his throwing shoulder. The Blue Jays dealt the right-hander to the Houston Astros forward of the ’19 commerce deadline and he’s since bounced across the majors, pitching for the San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals and Twins.
Sanchez didn’t seem within the majors in 2023, however posted a 5.54 ERA over 22 video games between St. Paul and Reno, the triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The 31-year-old Sanchez was a free agent over the winter and into the start of this season earlier than the Blue Jays took a flier on him. The best-case situation would come with him changing into a serviceable choice for a membership that has taken a number of current hits to its beginning pitch depth.
“A little bit of a Fountain of Youth,” mentioned Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider when requested what he wished to see out of Sanchez in the course of the right-hander’s first begin for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons on Friday.
“We all know Sanchie. I know him really well and think the world of him. Haven’t spoken to him yet — I’ll probably do it after he pitches [Friday] — but I want to see where his stuff is and I want to see strikes, really, and kind of go from there.”
Sanchez didn’t ship on that finish in opposition to the Worcester Red Sox and was roughed up for six runs on 5 hits and three walks over 4 innings. His fastball averaged 90.2 m.p.h. and he generated only one whiff on 26 swings whereas throwing simply 53 per cent strikes (35 out of 66 pitches).
Sanchez clearly has some methods to go earlier than he could possibly be able to doubtlessly assist the major-league membership, however the Blue Jays are anticipated to present the right-hander a while to seek out his footing.
Woods Richardson spent loads of time with Sanchez final 12 months and says the veteran was beneficiant with doling out recommendation.
“Just be yourself, attack the strike zone and be confident with everything you throw,” says Woods Richardson of what stood out from these conversations. “He had a mentality that strike one is the best pitch in baseball.”
The two additionally spoke concerning the tough highway Sanchez has needed to journey due to his accidents and the 23-year-old Woods Richardson walked away impressed.
“Anybody who goes through that type of hardship has to be strong mentally,” mentioned Woods Richardson. “I think he’s one of those guys that definitely has the mental strength to be in this game a long time. He loves the game. He’s very competitive. That competitive nature is still in him and he’s a dog.”
The two additionally chatted about their time within the Blue Jays group. Woods Richardson, after all, was traded to the membership within the 2019 deal that despatched Marcus Stroman to the New York Mets and, in 2021, he was flipped to the Twins together with Austin Martin in trade for Jose Berrios.
Woods Richardson will face the Blue Jays in Saturday’s afternoon contest at Rogers Centre however says there’s no additional motivation for him in going through the crew that traded him.
“At the end of the day, it’s a business,” he mentioned. “This game’s a business, so I’m just going out there with my game plan, attacking the hitters. It’s a normal day, a normal game.”
The right-hander has been wonderful over his 4 begins this season, posting a 1.74 ERA and 1.86 FIP with 21 strikeouts throughout 20.2 innings. Woods Richardson attributes his success to his low season work to decrease his arm slot, which has allowed him to be extra environment friendly and “be more of an athlete” on the mound.
Not misplaced on him, although, are the discussions from his time with Sanchez.
“I had to [treat] him with respect,” mentioned Woods Richardson. “He’s been around the block way longer than me. He clearly knows some things, just from experience alone. So, sitting down [with him], it’s close your mouth, open your ears and just listen.”
