Sanchez to Join Power

Published on June 30, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston Dirty Birds News Release

Greensboro, NC (June 28, 2009) - Earlier this month, the Pittsburgh Pirates made Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez their first overall pick in the 2009 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft, and on Tuesday night, he'll make his debut with the West Virginia Power.      Sanchez was the fourth overall pick in this year's draft and signed with the Pirates almost immediately after he was drafted.  He was the winner of the Johnny Bench award, given to the nation's top collegiate catcher.  During his final season at Boston College he hit .346 and was widely regarded as the finest defensive catcher in the draft.

The former Golden Eagle began his professional career with the State College Spikes of the New York Penn League.  He hit .308 in four games with the Spikes, going 4-for-13 with two runs, a walk and an RBI.  To make room for Sanchez on the roster, third-baseman Jeremy Farrell has been placed on the disabled list due to flu like symptoms. Sanchez becomes the sixth first-round pick to join the West Virginia Power since the 2005 season.  In 2005, Milwaukee sent their first pick from the 2004 draft, Mark Rodgers to West Virginia and their first pick from the 2005 draft, Ryan Braun joined the club in the middle of the season.  Right handed pitcher Jeremy Jeffress, Milwaukee's first round pick in the 2006 draft joined the Power in May of 2007 and just a few weeks after Milwaukee selected Matt LaPorta in the first round of the 2007 draft, he was sent to West Virginia as well.  Supplemental first rounder Evan Frederickson was with the Power in 2008.   West Virginia will begin a four game series against the Lake County Captains at Classic Park on Tuesday night.  The Power will start left hander Rudy Owens (8-1, 2.05) and the Captains will counter with right hander Alexander Perez (5-2, 2.89). The first pitch will be delivered at 7:00 PM.  

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