Victor Sanchez named Southern League Pitcher of the Week
JACKSON, TENN. (JULY 14, 2014) - It was announced today by the Southern League that Jackson 19-year-old right-hander Victor Sanchez has been named Southern League Pitcher of the Week for his performance from July 7-13. Sanchez went 1-0, with a 1.13 ERA going 8.0 innings and allowing just one run on three hits, posting a career-high nine strikeouts and just one walk in Jackson's 7-1 win over Birmingham Saturday night. He threw 101 pitches in the outing, 67 for strikes.
In 14 starts this season with the Generals, Sanchez is 5-4, with a 3.79 ERA (31 ER/73.2 IP) logging 60 strikeouts and only 19 walks. Opponents are batting .257 against him, and he owns a 1.24 WHIP. In three starts during the month of July Sanchez is 2-0, with a 1.42 ERA, adding 15 strikeouts and just 5 walks.
"It is a well deserved honor for Sanchez," added Jackson pitching coach Lance Painter. "He pitched extremely well on Saturday and went right after the hitters."
Sanchez is rated by MLB.com as the sixth-best prospect in the Seattle Mariners' organization. He is the second-youngest starting pitcher in Jackson franchise history behind Carlos Zambrano. This is Sanchez' second Pitcher of the Week Honor as he was named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week on July 22, 2013 after he tossed a 9.0-inning no-hitter in his 27th professional start on July 17 vs. Lansing.
Sanchez was signed by the Mariners as a non-drafted free agent on July 12, 2011 and resides in Paez Miranda, Venezuela.
Sanchez is the second Jackson pitcher this season to be named Southern League Pitcher of the Week. LH Cam Hobson received the award on May 5th.