Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Minor League Statistical Leaders

Altoona Curve pitcher Roansy Contreras as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies hosted Altoona on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The Ponies lost to the Curve, with a score of 5-0.
Altoona Curve pitcher Roansy Contreras as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies hosted Altoona on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The Ponies lost to the Curve, with a score of 5-0. /
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Pittsburgh Pirates
Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Strikeout Rate (batter)
Lolo Sanchez
16.5%

Like Fraizer, Lolo Sanchez went into the season as a light-hitting, speedy outfielder. But he also had a breakout campaign at High-A Greensboro this season. Along with his speed, he showed off some solid pop, but not at the cost of his plate discipline.

Sanchez put up a .264/.372/.453 line, .385 wOBA, and 124 wRC+. Along with his overall good performance, Sanchez blasted 17 home runs while having a .190 ISO. Just for reference, he only had 13 home runs in his first 1323 professional plate appearances.

Sanchez was always a low-strikeout kind of batter, but his increase in power didn’t affect that. He still had a strong 16.5% strikeout rate. Plus he put up a 12.6% walk rate, tied for the best of his career since 2016. He also showed plenty of speed with 30 stolen bases. Like with Fraizer, much of Sanchez’s increased power has to do with getting the ball in the air more often. His 25.1% LD% was a career-best by far and his 40.1% FB% was also a career-high.

Sanchez will be entering his age-23 season and will probably start the season at Double-A. He is Rule 5 eligible this upcoming off-season, so the Pirates may be inclined to protect him from being selected, especially if they think he can be a potential option in the grass next season, or in 2023.