First-round pick Sanchez joins Hillcats
September 5, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Lynchburg Hillcats News Release
Catcher Tony Sanchez, Pittsburgh's first-round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, and outfielder Starling Marte joined the Lynchburg Hillcats Saturday. Sanchez, the fourth overall selection in the draft, becomes the fourth player chosen in the top four picks to play for Lynchburg in the past two seasons along with 3B Pedro Alvarez (No. 2 overall in 2008), RHP Brad Lincoln (No. 4 overall in 2006) and LHP Daniel Moskos (No. 4 overall in 2007).
Following a three-year career at Boston College, where he earned first-team All-ACC honors at catcher in 2009, Sanchez began his professional career with State College, Pittsburgh's Short-Season A-ball affiliate. In four games with the Spikes, Sanchez batted .308 with a double and one RBI. Sanchez was promoted to Low-A West Virginia, where he batted .316 with seven home runs, 15 doubles and 46 RBI in 41 games. He batted .625 (10-for-16) with 10 RBI during the week of August 10 through 16 and earned South Atlantic League Player-of-the-Week honors.
Marte has thrived in his third year of professional baseball. After batting .296 with nine home runs, 10 doubles and 44 RBI with Pittsburgh's Dominican Summer League affiliate in 2008, Marte compiled a .312 batting average with three homers, nine doubles, five triples and 34 RBI in 54 games with West Virginia. Additionally, Marte stole 24 bases in 31 attempts and scored 41 runs for the Power. He began the season with Pittsburgh's Gulf Coast league affiliate and went hitless in seven at-bats.
The addition of Sanchez and Marte provides depth at catcher and in the outfield for the Hillcats. Sanchez will handle catching duties along with Kris Watts, a Carolina League mid-season All-Star, and Eric Fryer. Marte is expected to play center field for Lynchburg.
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