The Royals have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Aaron Sanchez to a minor league deal, according to FanSided reporter Robert Murray. Sanchez was an All-Star back in 2016, but hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2022. The 33-year-old did not pitch in affiliated baseball last season, but he impressed scouts in the Dominican Winter League, winning Pitcher of the Year honors with a 1.55 ERA in eight starts.
Sanchez was originally a first-round pick by the Blue Jays in 2010 and faced the Royals in the 2015 ALCS as a reliever. He went 15-2 with a league-best 3.00 ERA in 2016, earning his only All-Star appearance. It was also the only season he made as many as 30 starts in a year. His season was limited in each of the next two years with blister issues in 2017 and a right-hand contusion in 2018. He struggled in 2019 and was traded to the Astros, where he suffered a torn capsule in his right shoulder, keeping him out the entire 2020 season.
When he returned, he showed positive signs in 2021 in 35.1 innings with the Giants, posting a 3.06 ERA, but he was ineffective the next year with the Nationals and Twins. He spent time in the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays organizations in 2023 and 2024, but did not pitch in the big leagues. Sanchez was not much of a strikeout pitcher in his prime, but succeeds with high groundball rates, often over 50 percent.
Sanchez will receive $1.35 million if he makes the big league roster, with incentives for games pitched. He has opt out clauses on April 15 and May 15.
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