Angels Sign 16 Year Old Ricardo Sanchez

By Michael Hllywa
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Happy international signing period, everyone. After years of having zero presence in Latin America, the Angels got themselves into the mix this year the day after the signing period opened. According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Angels locked up 16 year-old lefty, Ricardo Sanchez, for $580,000. The same amount that the Texas Highway Patrol paid for this boat in 2012. Someone please explain to me why a Highway Patrol needs a water craft.

Fox Sports analyst, Kiley McDaniel had this to say about the Angels newest acquisition.

Ben Badler of Baseball America had him ranked as the 27th best international prospect, and likened him to Alex Torres. The same Alex Torres who went to the Tampa Bay Rays along with Sean Rodriguez among others in the Scott Kazmir trade and currently sports a 0.39 ERA and 12.1 K/9 across 23 innings in 12 appearances as a reliever. Not a bad bit of upside. Sanchez also has a little bit of international history as he was the winning pitcher when Venezuela topped Cuba for the IBAF 15 and under world championship in 2012. Taking home Tournament MVP honors in the process.

The Angels seem to be keeping with the same focus they had in the first-year player draft, and are continuing to try and scoop up pitching wherever they can. Sanchez, being only 16, will presumably report to the Angels Dominican Summer League team to get a better feel for his curveball.

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