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Kleyder Sánchez
5´10´´
170 pounds
Age: 21
Bats/Throws: R/R
SSS rank among all catchers in the system: 9
2020 SSHP Top Prospect ranking: 103
Sánchez was part of the massive 2016 class that signed on International Signing Day, a class that included Josue Guerrero, Luis Mieses, Lenyn Sosa and Anderson Comas among others. A former outfield prospect, Sánchez was converted to catcher just prior to 2016 and was recognized by Baseball America as having good hands, quick feet, and an accurate arm. Sánchez enjoyed a terrific campaign with the DSL White Sox in 2017, as he slashed .342/.383/.381 over 155 at-bats with six doubles, 14 RBIs, five walks (3.0%) and 24 strikeouts (14.4%).
Sánchez, a resident of Venezuela, struggled badly with the AZL White Sox in 2018 in part due to diminished playing time: .094/.197/.132 in 53 at-bats with two doubles, six RBIs, five walks (7.9%) and eight strikeouts (12.7%). In 2019 with Great Falls, Sánchez’s stats were basically a split between his 2016 and 2017 numbers. In 78 at-bats for the Voyagers, Sánchez slashed .218/.250/.269 with four doubles, 10 RBIs, four walks (4.8%) and 25 strikeouts (29.8%). Though he did strike out more frequently, Sánchez finished the year strongly as he slashed .400/.400/.467 in August.
Sánchez significantly improved his ability to control the running game this year, as he threw out potential basestealers at a 40.0% rate this year compared to 5.3% the year before.
Sánchez could advance to Kannapolis for 2021, although at just 21, there’s a chance he ships back to Arizona for more rookie league work.