Welcome to the Big Leagues Hector Sanchez

With the Giants catchers struggling to produce much offense Brian Sabean decided to look internally for help, calling up Hector Sanchez.

Sanchez who is just 21 started the year in High A San Jose and was called up to Fresno after 42 productive games. Since his promotion he hasn't slowed down much hitting a robust .305, although the lack of power is a concern.

Here is Sanchez full minor league line:

Year	Age	Lev	Aff	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2007	17	FRk	SFG	44	146	119	10	34	10	0	4	18	19	15	.286	.401	.471	.872
2008	18	FRk	SFG	55	254	207	40	72	14	3	4	63	36	29	.348	.458	.502	.961
2009	19	Rk	SFG	33	139	117	13	35	8	1	1	22	16	21	.299	.403	.410	.813
2010	20	A	SFG	89	341	310	29	85	20	1	5	31	28	50	.274	.336	.394	.730
2011	21	A+-AAA	SFG	67	276	258	32	78	18	0	8	58	14	54	.302	.337	.465	.802
2011	21	A+	SFG	42	184	176	24	53	13	0	8	46	5	41	.301	.321	.511	.832
2011	21	AAA	SFG	25	92	82	8	25	5	0	0	12	9	13	.305	.370	.366	.735

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/15/2011.

Sanchez makes good contact and has shown some power in the lower minors (although almost none since his promotion to AAA). He is a bit of a dark horse prospect not showing up on many prospect watchers top 10 lists this offseason but that kind of reminds me of a certain other rotund Venezuelan.

His main calling card his his ability to make solid contact, he shows power potential in batting practice and flashed signs of it in San Jose this year with 8 homers. The scouts say that his defense is pretty good with a lightening fast delivery to second base.

This is an interesting move and one that the Giants didn't likely want to make with Sanchez still being so young. I am sure the Giants would have preferred to give him more time to develop in the minors but the need for offense at catcher appears to have overridden that desire.

UPDATE: Andrew Baggary confirms the move, the roster move to go with it is Pat Burrell going on the DL because of a spur in his foot.

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