Posted on Fri, Apr. 30, 2010
Florida Marlins' Gaby Sanchez living a dream
The Marlins' Gaby Sanchez,
a former UM and Miami Brito High star, is excelling for the team he grew up
following.
Remberto
Sanchez said he has been pinching himself a lot lately.
He did it on Opening Day at Citi Field in New York when his son was announced as the Marlins starting first baseman. Then, he did it again two weeks ago when Gaby Sanchez belted his first home run of the season in a come-from-behind win against the Dodgers.
``Every time we're at the stadium watching him, his mom and I are living with every one of his at-bats,'' said Sanchez, whose son used to star for the University of Miami.
``How many kids get to play for the team they grew up rooting for in the city they were born and raised in? It's a dream come true for us, and a dream come true for him. Gaby has worked so hard for this. We're so very proud of him.''
Sanchez has been doing more than just living every South Florida Little Leaguer's dream during his first full month as a 26-year-old rookie. He has provided the Marlins with the type of performance that could net them a National League Rookie of the Year award for the second year in a row if he keeps it up.
BIG ROOKIE STATS
Batting in the No. 8 hole for most of his 63 at-bats this season, Sanchez has put up stats (.286 average, .400 on-base percentage) that compare favorably to some of the brightest young players in the game. Among rookies, he ranks third in hits (18) behind Tigers outfielder Austin Jackson and Brewers shortstop Alcides Escobar; second in RBI (11) behind Braves outfielder Jason Heyward (16); and leads all rookies in doubles with seven.
Most of all, he really has impressed his teammates with his patience, drawing 11 walks while striking out only 13 times. Marlins catcher John Baker said Sanchez is showing the experience of a ``five- to 10-year veteran.''
``He's definitely made a 180 from last year,'' said Marlins veteran corner infielder Wes Helms, who has taken Sanchez under his wing.
``What happened to him during spring training last year [when he was injured] just bettered him considerably, mentally, physically. He came into camp 20 pounds lighter. He's quicker, more confident. I think a lot of people felt bad about what happened to him. I'm glad it did. He's a young guy who needed to learn how to handle failure, and he did. He totally took the bull by the horns and changed that failure into success.
``He's come prepared every day, ready to do his work. He's not taking days off in the cage. He has a routine, and he sticks with it, and it's showing on the field.''
Sanchez, drafted in the fourth round by the Marlins in 2005, always has had a deep passion for improving his swing. A standout at Miami Brito High, he often asked his father to take him to the batting cages after practice -- and even after games he played well in. Luckily, his father has owned one -- Slugger's -- near the family's home in Tamiami Park since Sanchez was a teenager.
``I remember there would be times Gaby would tell me, `Dad, I only got two hits today. Let's go hit,'' Remberto Sanchez said.
``I sit there and put 200 balls on a tee for him until 1 or 2 in the morning. You go to his house now, the first thing he bought after he got married was a screen so he could hit balls off the tee.''
100-RBI POTENTIAL
Batting eighth the rest of his career isn't something many Marlins see down the road of Sanchez's future. Marlins special assistant Tony Perez said he thinks Sanchez has enough discipline to bat in the middle of the order and drive in more than 100 runs a season.
``The biggest thing I've been trying to do is study these pitchers,'' Sanchez said. ``I'm takings sliders and changeups to see how they look because I've never faced some of these guys before. I feel like once I get back to facing them again and again, it will be a little bit different.''
Part of the studying comes from weekly conversations with former UM roommate Ryan Braun. The Brewers All-Star outfielder talks to Sanchez about twice a week and was one of the groomsmen in Sanchez's wedding this past summer.
Remberto Sanchez believes his son has the potential to be just as dangerous with a bat as Braun. And he hopes he gets to do it for many more years playing for the team they've cheered for together the past 17 years.
``Hopefully, I could be a Marlin for the rest of my life,'' Sanchez said. ``and play in front of my family and friends for a long, long time.''