Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Acquire Nationals Prospect Mario Sanchez

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Washington Nationals prospect Mario Sanchez will be traded to the Phillies in return for Jimmy Cordero

After failing to make the 40-man roster prior to the Winter Meetings, the Phillies traded pitching prospect Jimmy Cordero to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named later.

On Tuesday, the Phillies selected 22-year-old pitcher Mario Sanchez as the compensation for Cordero.

Sanchez has transitioned into a reliever, and spent last season in Advanced-A ball for the Nationals. In 78 innings of work last season, Sanchez finished with a 3.46 ERA, 62 strikeouts, and 30 earned runs.

Washington originally signed Sanchez when he was just 17-years-old, but primarily focused on making him a bullpen arm.

Baseball Prospectus evaluator Tucker Blake describes the righty as a future middle reliever whose fastball peaks around 91 MPH.

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Sanchez lacks an above-average offering, but brings advanced pitchability and feel for his arsenal. I have seen Sanchez as a starter and reliever this season, and the stuff is a tick higher when in a one-inning stint. While he will not blow his fastball by anyone, he has potential for plus command and the curveball is routinely thrown for strikes. The risk is moderate due to his lack of experience verse stronger competition, but there is a chance that Sanchez’s pitchability and command will work as a middle reliever or long-man out of the pen.

Phillies executives could never expect anything outstanding for Cordero, but it sounds like they at least have a bullpen arm they could attempt to develop. It would not surprise me if Sanchez makes an appearance in Double-A Reading this season based on his reported advanced ability to be a pitcher, not just a thrower.

Hopefully when the Phillies start to contend in a couple of years, Sanchez turns out to be an arm out of the bullpen they can rely on.