Former Toronto Blue Jays All-Star starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez is gaining interest from MLB clubs after winning the Dominican Winter League’s Pitcher of the Year, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon.
Sanchez didn’t pitch professionally in 2025 following a couple of seasons in the minor leagues, but proved he is still a top pitcher through his eight starts in the Dominican Winter League.
“After sitting out last season, Aaron Sanchez won the Dominican Winter League’s Pitcher of the Year award this winter and is attracting interest from clubs, league sources said,” they wrote.
Through 45.1 innings this winter, Sanchez had a 1.55 ERA.
Who is Aaron Sanchez?
Sanchez began his MLB career in 2014 with the Blue Jays, coming out of the bullpen for the entirety of his rookie season and most of his second season.
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The right-hander posted impressive numbers through his first two seasons, maintaining a 2.66 ERA through 65 appearances — 11 of which were starts. He became a full-time starter in the 2016 season, posting the single best season of his MLB career. He had a 3.00 ERA through 30 starts and received his sole All-Star selection. He also placed seventh in AL Cy Young award voting.
His numbers in following years slowly declined, though, posting a 4.25 ERA in 2017 and a 4.89 mark the following season. The Blue Jays traded him to the Houston Astros midway through the 2019 season, though he only made four appearances for the club before electing free agency at the end of the season.
Sanchez sat out for the 2020 season before signing with the Giants in 2021, but injuries kept him out for the majority of that season as well. During his most recent MLB season in 2022, he pitched for the Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins and had a 6.60 ERA through 15 appearances.
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He pitched in the minors in 2023 for the Twins and in 2024 for the Blue Jays.
Teams are always looking for depth among their starting pitchers, and bringing back an All-Star like Sanchez with an opportunity to prove himself could provide a team with a secret weapon for the upcoming season.
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