Every year, MLB Pipeline releases a top 50 list of international prospects, and it’s not that common that the Orioles snag a player on the list.
That’s not the case for 17-year-old shortstop Emilio Sanchez. Let’s take a dive into the Orioles’ No. 24 overall prospect in this edition of our Prospect Profiles series.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40
Before becoming an O’s prospect, Sanchez, born in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, was ranked 30th on the top 50 international prospects list by MLB Pipeline. He would sign with the Orioles organization on January 15, 2024, for $1.3 million.
Sanchez would make his DSL debut on June 5, and having a slow 0-for-9 start, he would collect his first three hits on June 8, when he collected three singles in four at-bats. Sanchez would play a total of 48 games during the 2024 DSL season.
In those 48 games, Sanchez would slash .212/.416/.281 with a .697 OPS. He posted 31 total hits, two doubles, four triples and knocked in 14 RBIs. He would also walk 48 times and steal 29 bases, showing off his highly-graded speed.
The most impressive part of the season for him, however, was that he had better stats against left-handed pitching as a left-handed batter. Whenever a prospect puts up solid reverse split numbers, it catches the eye of pundits and fans alike.
Sanchez has advanced pitch recognition for his age, already showing plus plate discipline in his short sample. As he continues to improve his swing and ability to find the barrel, he should develop more impact, especially as he adds strength.
His athleticism also shows defensively, where he has the actions, range and arm to potentially stick at short. He’s seen some time at third as well.
Sanchez is still a very young talent, as his 18th birthday isn’t until April, which is right before the start of the 2025 DSL season. If he performs well and shows growth early in the year, expect the young man to appear in Low-A Delmarva sometime this coming season.
What are your thoughts on the O’s No. 24 overall prospect, Emilio Sanchez? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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