Top Marlins Prospect Sixto Sanchez Joins Shrimp

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Miami Marlins announced a pair of transactions that impact their Double-A affiliate Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp roster prior to tonight's game against the Biloxi Shuckers at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville at 7:05 p.m.

MLB Pipeline's No. 1 Marlins prospect, right-handed starting pitcher Sixto Sanchez, has been transferred from High-A Jupiter to Jacksonville. In addition to being listed as the Marlins No. 1 prospect, MLB Pipeline regards Sanchez as the No. 24 prospect in all of baseball. Sanchez will make his Double-A debut tonight as he pitches for the Jumbo Shrimp against the Shuckers at 7:05 p.m. at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

"I feel really good right now," Sanchez said through an interpreter. "I'm so happy for my first start in Double-A. I want to work hard every day and pitch for the Marlins in the big leagues hopefully this year."

Sanchez made two starts for High-A Jupiter, going 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA with six strikeouts compared to two walks in his 11 innings of work. In his last start for the Hammerheads on Thursday May 9, Sanchez worked six innings against the Florida Fire Frogs, allowing four runs on eight hits with a walk and four strikeouts in a game Jupiter lost 4-2.

Sanchez is in his first season in the Marlins organization. He was acquired by the Marlins along with catcher Jorge Alfaro and left-handed pitcher Will Stewart and future considerations in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for catcher J.T. Realmuto on February 7, 2019. Realmuto was a Southern League All-Star with Jacksonville in 2013 and 2014, and last season was a National League All-Star for the Marlins.

Last season Sanchez was a 2018 Florida State League Midseason All-Star for his eight starts for the High-A Clearwater Threshers, going 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA and 45 strikeouts in his 46 and two-thirds innings of work. His season came to an end in early June due to right elbow inflammation, and also had collarbone soreness that prevented him from pitching in the Arizona Fall League. In his professional career, Sanchez is 15-14 with a 2.60 ERA in his 50 appearances and 46 starts.

Sanchez, 20, is a native of San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, and was originally signed by the Phillies as an international free agent on March 2, 2015.

Right-handed pitcher Josh Roeder has been transferred from Jacksonville to High-A Jupiter. Roeder started for New Orleans on Saturday, taking a loss as he allowed four runs (all earned) on seven hits with three walks and a strikeout against the San Antonio Missions. Roeder made one start for Jacksonville on May 1 at Mississippi, taking the loss as he allowed a run on four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. Roeder started the season with Jupiter, with no record and a 1.64 ERA in his four appearances and one start.

The Jumbo Shrimp roster stands at 25 active players, and a revised roster is attached.

The Jumbo Shrimp and Shuckers meet at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. Sanchez starts for Jacksonville against Biloxi right-handed starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (0-0, 4.50 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m. on MiLB.tv, Sunny 102.3 FM, TuneIn and JaxShrimp.com.

On a Community First Credit Union Two for Tuesday, tickets are 2-for-1 at the box office for Community First Credit Union members using their CFCU credit or debit card. Fans can also enjoy two for the price of one jumbo hot dogs or regular French fries or 12 oz. fountain sodas. The contest is also a Standard Feed & Seed Bark In The Park, in which canines get in free as long as their human companion buys a ticket. Fans can also visit the Memorial Hospital table on the concourse on Memorial Hospital Night.

ABOUT THE JUMBO SHRIMP: The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offer affordable family fun at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their inaugural season garnered the Southern League's Don Mincher Organization of the Year, Promotional Trophy and Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year, won by General Manager Harold Craw. To experience the excitement with the terrific value of ticket and group options, call the Jumbo Shrimp at (904) 358-2846 or visit www.jaxshrimp.com.