Jesús Sánchez, the 28-year-old left-handed outfielder, is set to make waves with the Jays after they acquired him from the Astros in exchange for Joey Loperfido. While both players are close in age-Loperfido turns 27 in May-their MLB experience and impact differ notably.
Sánchez, with 580 MLB games under his belt and a 4.8 bWAR, brings more immediate value to the Jays compared to Loperfido’s 122 games and 1.1 bWAR. For Toronto, the focus is on the present season, and Sánchez seems poised to deliver.
Sánchez is locked in with the Jays until 2028, giving the team ample time to harness his potential. His journey last season saw him move from the Marlins to the Astros, where his performance dipped from a .256/.320/.420 slash line with Miami to .199/.269/.342 in Houston.
According to Jays hitting coach David Popkins, the shift in Houston’s approach didn’t align with Sánchez’s strengths. Popkins is keen on refocusing Sánchez on his natural abilities, aiming to rekindle the rhythm that made him a valuable player.
Sánchez’s strength lies in his ability to hit the ball hard. He ranked in the 93rd percentile for bat speed and 79th for average exit velocity last year.
The previous year, his metrics were even more impressive, with a 95th percentile in bat speed, 93rd in exit velocity, and 95th in hard-hit percentage. While his strikeout and walk rates were mid-range, his potential as a power hitter is clear, even though he hasn’t yet surpassed the 20-home run mark in a season.
Defensively, Sánchez is solid. With a +1 Outs Above Average in right field and an 80th percentile arm strength, he’s a reliable presence on the field. He also contributes on the bases, swiping 13 bags last year while being caught three times.
Looking ahead, projections like Steamer see Sánchez playing 88 games with a .248/.317/.427 line and 13 home runs. While these numbers might seem conservative, there’s optimism that he can exceed them, especially against right-handed pitchers. With improvements in his strikeout rate last year and Popkins’ guidance, there’s hope that Sánchez can unlock more power and boost his home run tally.
Overall, the Jays have reasons to be optimistic. If Sánchez can find his groove, he could become a key player in their lineup, offering both power and consistency.