What can the Miami Marlins expect from Jesús Sánchez?

Jesús Sánchez had a disappointing season to some extent. The former top prospect was demoted to the Minors recently, just as I suggested that the Miami Marlins should do. He wasn’t as good after the first month, and it was clear that changes had to be made. What happened to him though and can he improve?

Jesús Sánchez may still be able to be a star for the Miami Marlins.

Jesús Sánchez has a .205/.271/.387 batting line for the season, with 12 home runs and 33 RBI in 93 games and 297 AB. He also has 61 hits, 24 walks and 86 strikeouts. That’s not impressive, though the power is clearly there.

It’s shocking how Jesús Sánchez‘s production changed as the season went on. He batted .282/.346/.493 in March and April. He then batted .158/.210/.303 in May; .214/.233/.471 in June; .171/.284/.303 in July and was batting .250/.400/.250 prior to his demotion this month.

It’s interesting to note that Jesús Sánchez actually cut his strikeout percentage from 27.5% in the first half to 17.6% in the second half. He also improved his walk percentage from 6.9% in the first half, to 11.8% in the second half.

Jesús Sánchez improved his line drive percentage from 14.4% in the first half to 26.1% in the second half. He hit less ground balls: 47.9% to 39.1% and hit less fly balls: 37.8% to 34.8%. Naturally he hit less home runs as his HR/FB% fell from 15.5% to 12.5%. HR actually hit the ball harder as well.

Jesús Sánchez was good in the beginning of the season, but then his production stayed poor despite improvements with his approach and underlying metrics. One problem was bad luck as his BABIP is only .245 for the season. Another problem was a decline in Exit Velocity from 90.2 last season to 89.5 this season.

Let’s take a look at Jesús Sánchez here now. His max Exit Velocity is actually elite and in the 96’th percentile. He also should’ve been hitting better as his .229 XBA and .417 XSLG show. It’s obvious that he’s improving and thst his power is there.

Jesús Sánchez Still has the talent to break out. He actually became more patient at the plate despite poor results. The 24 year old still has his power as well. I’m pretty sure that next season he can take steps forward and maybe even surprise us with a big season.