Aníbal Sánchez: Atlanta’s consistent castaway

By César Augusto Márquez

Anibal Sánchez’s 2018 season has been a surprising success. He has gone from being left without a team in spring training to becoming one of the pillars of the starting rotation for a team with playoff hopes.

Five years have passed since Sánchez led the American League in earned run average at 2.57. Then in 2014 he began to spiral as he posted a 4.99 ERA that year and then got progressively worse until he posted a 6.41 ERA in 2017.

The Twins gave him an opportunity this spring, but he was released less than a month later. The Braves took a bet on him, though.

His return to the National League could not have been better. His career now flourishes like Georgia peaches.

Joining Los Bravos

“I’m grateful to the Braves for the opportunity that they gave me to be with them,” he said. “It has been a very exciting season for many reasons, especially for the chance to help a team trying to make a playoff run.”

The Braves were considered a rebuilding project at the start of the season by many baseball experts. They were considered a middle-of-the-pack team in the National League East.

Yet with a month and a half left in the season the Braves are fighting with the Philadelphia Phillies for the top spot in the NL East.

The Braves are a team with many young players, so Sánchez thinks his experience carries some weight.

“This is a team that has a lot of young ballplayers like (Ozzie) Albies and Ronald Acuña,” he said. “They’ve allowed me to contribute the experience that I have and that I think is always important, especially at an important time in the season like right now as we fight for a spot in the playoffs.”

A Revival in Atlanta

Sánchez isn’t the same pitcher anymore although his fastball sits at 90.7-mph, as it averaged in 2006 when he threw the no-hitter.

He has become a resourceful pitcher, and that experience helps him. It shows in the use of his cutter, which he has used 21 percent of the time, according to Fangraphs.

As a man of faith, he likes to give credit for his good season to God more than any changes in his pitching mechanics.

“At my age I haven’t changed many things,” he said. “Obviously I’m somebody with a lot of experience, but I think this has been a good year. It’s due more to God’s plan. He decided to line things up for things to happen more than in my manner of pitching.”

A Welcomed Addition

Sánchez has pitched so well, he has received praise from the some big names on his team. Slugger Freddie Freeman told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that Sanchez reminds him of Freddy Garcia each time he takes the mound.

Manager Brian Snitker also has praise for Sánchez.

“Ever since he joined the team he has made an impact for us,” Snitker said. “He has helped the younger players, but he’s also been somebody we can count on each time he takes the mound. When we tell the story of our season we’ll have to talk about Anibal’s role.”

Sánchez started his career in the National League with the Marlins. In his 13th start on Sept. 6, 2006, he threw a no-hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He returned to the National League this year after six years in the American League.

Hoping for Post-Season Action

“It’s real good to be back here, above all because I have beautiful memories of my time in the National League,” he said. “Actually, I think the baseball is the same. The most important thing is that I’m healthy and I can help the team.”

Sánchez has made only one trip to the World Series. He made that appearances in 2012 with the Detroit Tigers against the San Francisco Giants.

His main goal this year is to return to the postseason.

Featured Image: Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport