Ali Miguel Sánchez (born January 20, 1997) is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins.

Ali Sánchez
Sánchez with the Toledo Mud Hens in 2022
Free agent
Catcher
Born: (1997-01-20) January 20, 1997 (age 27)
Carora, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 10, 2020, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.175
Home runs0
Runs batted in4
Teams

Career

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New York Mets

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On July 2, 2013, Sánchez signed with the New York Mets as an international free agent.[1]

In 2014, Sánchez spent the season with the DSL Mets, hitting .303/.406/.394/.800 with three home runs and 24 runs batted in (RBIs). In 2015, Sánchez split the season between the Gulf Coast Mets and the Kingsport Mets, hitting .272/.330/.306/.636 with 20 RBIs. In 2016, Sánchez spent the season with the Brooklyn Cyclones, hitting .216/.260/.275/.535 with 11 RBIs. In 2017, Sánchez played for the Columbia Fireflies, hitting .231/.288/.264/.552 with one home run and 15 RBIs.

In 2018, Sánchez split the season between Columbia and the St. Lucie Mets, combining to hit .265/.294/.387/.681 with six home runs and 38 RBIs. Following the 2018 season, Sánchez played for the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League.[2] In 2019, Sánchez split the season between the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the Syracuse Mets, hitting a combined .261/.326/.322/.648 with one home run and three RBIs.[3][4] Following the 2019 season, Sánchez was added to the Mets 40–man roster.[5]

 
Sánchez with the Syracuse Mets in 2019

On August 10, 2020, Sánchez made his MLB debut for the Mets.[6] On February 10, 2021, Sánchez was designated for assignment by the Mets after the team traded for minor league outfielder Khalil Lee.[7]

St. Louis Cardinals

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On February 12, 2021, the Mets traded Sánchez to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for cash considerations.[8] He was recalled from the Cardinals' alternate training site on April 27, 2021.[9] Sánchez had four at-bats with St. Louis in 2021, going 2-for-4.

Sánchez began the 2022 season with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. On June 15, 2022, Sánchez was designated for assignment by the Cardinals.[10]

Detroit Tigers

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On June 18, 2022, the Detroit Tigers claimed Sánchez off of waivers from St. Louis and optioned him to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.[11] In 44 games for Toledo, he batted .268/.369/.373 with 2 home runs and 21 RBI. On October 14, Sánchez was designated for assignment following the waiver claim of Michael Papierski.[12]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On October 18, 2022, Sánchez was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On December 2, 2022, Sánchez was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks.[13] He was designated for assignment on December 23. On January 5, 2023, Sánchez was sent outright to the Triple-A Reno Aces.[14] In 67 games for the Triple–A Reno Aces, he batted .311/.375/.492 with career–highs in home runs (11) and RBI (43). Sánchez elected free agency following the season on November 6.[15]

Pittsburgh Pirates (second stint)

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On December 1, 2023, Sánchez signed a one-year, major league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[16] On March 28, 2024, he was designated for assignment following multiple roster moves.[17] Sánchez cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Indianapolis Indians on March 31. However, he rejected the assignment and subsequently elected free agency.[18]

Chicago Cubs

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On April 5, 2024, Sánchez signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[19] In 41 games for the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, Sánchez hit .240/.338/.388 with three home runs and 21 RBI.

Miami Marlins

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On June 19, 2024, Sánchez was traded to the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash considerations.[20] Two days later, the Marlins selected him to the major league roster.[21] In 31 games for Miami, he hit .167/.211/.190 with four RBI and two stolen bases. Sánchez was designated for assignment by the Marlins on September 3.[22] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple–A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on September 5.[23] Sánchez elected free agency on October 1.[24]

References

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  1. ^ Toby Hyde (July 2, 2013). "July 2 Signings: Yeffry De Aza, Luis Silva and Ali Sanchez". SNY. Retrieved November 21, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ Tim Healey (August 30, 2018). "Andres Gimenez, Peter Alonso will play in Arizona Fall League". Newsday. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  3. ^ Tim Britton (November 19, 2019). "Which prospects should the Mets protect ahead of the Rule 5 Draft?". The Athletic. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Lindsay Kramer (July 31, 2019). "New catcher takes charge as Syracuse Mets rally for win". The Post-Standard. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  5. ^ Danny Abriano (November 20, 2019). "Mets add four prospects to 40-man roster to protect them from Rule 5 Draft". SportsNet New York. Archived from the original on January 7, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "Con Alí Sánchez van 44 criollos que juegan en la MLB antes que en la LVBP". August 11, 2020.
  7. ^ Todd, Jeff (February 10, 2021). "Mets Designate Ali Sanchez". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  8. ^ Adams, Steve (February 12, 2021). "Mets Trade Ali Sanchez To Cardinals". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  9. ^ "Cardinals put Yadier Molina on injured list; catcher Ali Sánchez recalled from alternate training site". Boxscore World Sportswire. April 27, 2021.
  10. ^ Franco, Anthony (June 15, 2022). "Cardinals Activate Jack Flaherty, Designate Ali Sanchez". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  11. ^ "Tigers claim catcher off waivers from Cardinals". June 18, 2022.
  12. ^ "Tigers' Ali Sanchez: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. October 14, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  13. ^ "Diamondbacks Claim Ali Sánchez". MLBTradeRumors. December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  14. ^ "Outrights: William Woods, Ali Sanchez, Taylor Widener, Jake Reed". yardbarker.com. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  15. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. November 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  16. ^ "Pirates sign catcher Sánchez to 1-year deal". December 2, 2023.
  17. ^ "Pirates Designate Canaan Smith-Njigba, Jackson Wolf, Ali Sánchez For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  18. ^ "Pirates Outright Canaan Smith-Njigba; Ali Sanchez Elects Free Agency". mlbtraderumors.com. March 31, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "Transactions".
  20. ^ "Marlins Acquire Ali Sanchez From Cubs". mlbtraderumors.com. June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  21. ^ "Marlins Designate Christian Bethancourt For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  22. ^ "Marlins Claim Anthony Veneziano, Designate Three Players For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  23. ^ "Marlins Outright Ali Sanchez, Kent Emanuel". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  24. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-10-01/p-1
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