Cristopher Sanchez had a breakout season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025 and was one of the primary reasons the team won the National League East. Sanchez logged a 2.50 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP with a career-best strikeout rate of 26.3 percent in 32 starts.
However, the question heading into this season is whether he can replicate that production.
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There’s still a long way to go before Opening Day, but going off of Sanchez’s Spring Training debut, there’s no reason to worry about whether he can follow up on his breakout season.
Sanchez made his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. He only threw 32 pitches over two innings, but was virtually untouchable.
Sanchez only gave up two hits, issued zero walks, and struck out four batters.
The Phillies starter primarily threw his sinker in the start, which ultimately generated four whiffs and had an average velocity of 95 mph, just slightly lower than his average from a season ago.
Sep 10, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (61) throws a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
However, it was Sanchez’s changeup that caught everyone’s attention, and a smile from Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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On this one pitch alone, Sanchez generated seven whiffs on his changeup, which was a rate of 100 percent. When Guerrero was forced to see the pitch, he swung, missed, and then looked at Sanchez with a smile as if to say, “really?”
After the game, Sanchez said the change-up has been looking great since I reported to camp. If it’s like that early on, you just have to take it.”
Philadelphia’s skipper, Rob Thomson, even commented on how good his ace looked.
“He was really good. His command was good. The changeup was filthy, which is good to see this early in the spring,” said Philadelphia’s skipper.
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From here, Sanchez will depart the Phillies to camp to meet up with the Dominican Republic national team as they prepare for the World Baseball Classic.
If Sanchez looks as sharp as he did in 2025 and in his lone start of the Grapefruit League, then the DR could have a legitimate chance to win the entire competition.
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