C’s Chat – 2025 Vancouver Canadians LHP #3 JJ Sánchez – C's Plus Baseball

A bullpen edition of C’s Chat with 2024-2025 Vancouver Canadians pitcher JJ Sánchez.

Juan José Sanchez had a lot of twists and turns in his journey to professional baseball. The Los Fresnos, Texas, native attended Los Fresno High School and was named to a pair of first-team All-District selection squad and contributed to two District championships. His high school career culminated with earning All-Metro MVP honours in his senior season of 2018.

A 200-mile trek northwest to Laredo was Sanchez’s first stop in college as he went to Texas A&M International University for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He was in the Dustdevils bullpen in his freshman year before splitting time in the arm barn and the starting rotation in his second year. Sanchez struck out 54 batters over 39-2/3 innings, winning two games and saving one during his two years at TAMIU.

Next up for Sánchez was a transfer from Division II baseball to junior college as he made a beeline east to attend Coastal Bend College in Beeville, Texas for 2021. He stung the opposition with 57 strikeouts in 65-1/3 innings and collected four wins to help the Cougars advance to the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Division III World Series. Unfortunately, his start on the big stage against Oakton Community College was cut short because of a leg injury after pitching three shutout innings with four strikeouts.

The 2022 season saw another change of address for Sánchez as he kept going east in the Lone Star State, winding up with San Jacinto College. He averaged nearly two strikeouts per inning by fanning 24 batters over 12-2/3 innings. After he was done there, it was off to Williamsport, Pennsylvania to join the Crosscutters, an MLB Draft League team managed by former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Litsch. Over nine relief appearances, Sánchez was credited with two victories.

Things came together for Sánchez in 2023 when he headed to Southeastern Florida Univerisity, a Division I program in Lakeland. He put together a perfect 5-0 record with a 1.91 earned run average and a strikeout/walk total of 65-18 in 37-2/3 innings. He was en fuego with the Fire, striking out 11 of the 14 hitters in a four-inning appearance against Florida Memorial on April 22. That outing not only helped Southeastern Florida win its fourth straight Sun Conference regular season championship but led to Sánchez being named the Conference’s Pitcher of the Week award. Sánchez’s finest outing came during the NAIA World Series at Lewiston, Idaho, where he pitched seven innings of one-run ball and struck out seven to pick up the win against Westmont on May 31.

The trials and tribulations paid off for Sánchez in the end as he was signed as a free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays on the recommendation of then scout and now Southeast Regional Crosschecker Brandon Bishoff on July 21, 2023. Sánchez dipped his toe into the professional waters later that summer with five innings of relief with the Dunedin Blue Jays, giving up just one run. The downside was that he was placed on the injured list on August 22 to end his season.

It was back to full health for Sánchez as he returned to Dunedin to start 2024. He put together a stellar month of May in which he converted all four of his save opportunities to go with a 1.38 ERA over 13 innings. Among the highlights were back-to-back saves at Bradenton on May 25 and against St. Lucie on May 28, striking out three batters over 2-1/3 scoreless stanzas in the latter outing. In August, Sánchez was the winning pitcher in all three of his final outings, including a three-inning, one-run effort with six strikeouts at Bradenton on August 15. His totals with Dunedin were six wins, four holds, five saves, a 3.11 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 46-1/3 innings. That led to a call-up to Vancouver on August 23, and Sanchez was a welcome addition to the bullpen for Monty’s Mounties. He allowed just one unearned run in 4-1/3 ininngs and registered 10 strikeouts against two walks.

In the Northwest League Championship Series against Spokane, Sánchez was the winning pitcher in Game 2 on September 11 and logged 2-1/3 scoreless innings of no-hit ball, allowing just two baserunners in his three appearances.

Sánchez returned to Vancouver to begin the 2025 season, and his first appearance was a scoreless one as he stranded two runners and struck out two batters in 1-1/3 shutout frames in a win at Tri-City on April 6. He pitched a season-high 2-1/3 innings against Eugene, holding off the Emeralds with a pair of strikeouts and stranding a runner on April 18, helping him finish the month with a 3.38 ERA.

In May, Sánchez has held the opposition off the scoreboard in four of his last five outings. He rallied to strike out the side by stranding two runners in scoring position versus Everett on May 18 and stranded a runner by tossing 1-1/3 shutout innings with a strikeout at Eugene on May 23.

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C’s Plus Baseball had a chance to talk to the 25-year-old Sánchez during the team’s mid-May homestand against Everett. This interview has been edited for clarity.

C’s Plus Baseball – How did you get started in baseball? Were you always a pitcher throughout?

JJ Sánchez – Well, I was a center fielder. I’ve always played the outfield my whole life. Towards high school, I started pitching. Towards my senior year, I threw 88-90 (miles per hour). I was about to hang up my cleats. One day, I was throwing a bullpen in front of a scout, a D-2 (Division II) scout. He asked if I was going anywhere. I said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Well, it looks like you’ve got somewhere to go now.’ So I took advantage of it and started off at D-2 and went around. I went from D-2 to Juco, and then I went to Southeastern, and I ended up getting a chance to play at the next level.

CPB – What was that like, the conversion from the outfield to pitching?

JJS – It was a big difference. I mean, I had to learn. I was an outfielder, so I was a thrower. I just threw the ball. So I had to make some adjustments, and I’m turning towards the right track.

CPB – The Blue Jays signed you in the summer of 2023. How did that all develop?

JJS – It was kind of a disaster, because in the beginning, they called me in free agency, and they had said, ‘Hey, would you like to sign with the Jays? We’re looking to get in contact with you. We’re looking to get with you.’ And they called me back, and they said, ‘Hey, sorry, we’re taking someone else.’ So I was like, ‘Okay.’ I mean, throughout the draft, I got called three times, and I went 0-for-4, you know what I mean? I jumped on a plane. I went to the Cape Cod after the draft. I was wearing a Blue Jay cap. I had a trial with the Blue Jays. Brandon (Brandon Bishoff) gave me an opportunity to throw for Toronto here in Dunedin. Had an amazing bullpen and I felt like I had the right stuff to show off what I could do. It went from there. I mean, they gave me an opportunity, and then I landed in Boston after I got to the Cape Cod, and they said, ‘Hey, we got you. Let’s go. You’re a Blue Jay.’ So, I mean, it was a roller coaster. Now I’m here, and now I’m taking advantage of it.

CPB – Going to the Cape Cod League. What was that experience like?

JJS – Well, I was going to the Cape Cod because before that, after a (NAIA) World Series in college, my coach was like, ‘Well, you’re good. You have good stats. I don’t think you’ve got to go in and play summer ball.’ So I was like, ‘Perfect. Wait for the draft.’ And that’s what I was doing, waiting for the draft. You know what I mean? I played at NAIA. I had good stats, but it probably wasn’t good enough for them, I guess. I had very good numbers, and let stuff take its course, and I went from there.

CPB – When you look back on your high school or college career, would you say any moments that really stand out for you?

JJS – In 2023, I pitched in the playoffs in Lewiston, and I went 7 innings, something I wouldn’t forget. A lot of scouts reached out to me after that, and it was good.

CPB – Who would you say has helped you out the most in developing as a pitcher?

JJS – So far, in the beginning in Dunedin, it was (D-Jays pitching coach) Cory Riordan. We were working a lot, and now it’s Yardley (C’s pitching coach Eric Yardley). So we’re working towards the right track, getting me back on, just keep throwing strikes.

CPB – Talk about the pitches you’re throwing right now. What is it that you throw?

JJS – I throw a four-seam, a sinker and a slider, and sometimes a splitter.

CPB – How would you rank your pitches from best to maybe still needs a bit more work?

JJS – Sliders are my bread and butter. I mean, that’s the pitch I’ve been throwing since I was young, and the pitch has been successful in situations where I’ve been in. That’s a pitch that where if I need a ground out or a strike out, that pitch can get me back where I need to be. My four-seam is my second pitch, and third, my sinker, and I throw a changeup with a change of split, so that’s a pitch that I throw with a little 10 percent in the mix.

CPB – I know Kevin Gausman is known for his split. I guess was this something you try and pick up, I guess maybe not directly through him, but I guess from the coaches through him?

JJS – So Erik Swanson, when I was in low A in Dunedin, he was rehabbing, and we had worked out. So I had asked him questions, picked his brain. He said, ‘Simplify it as much as you can and not try to think so much. Just throw it. You know what I mean?’ And that was the big key for me is not think too much. Just throw it and turn it into a good pitch.

CPB – You started off your pro career with a few innings at the Dunedin Blue Jays in ’23 and started last year back there again. What was your experience with Dunedin like?

JJS – I loved Dunedin. It was a good place. Those kids could swing. You know what I mean? It’s a good challenge. I mean, I put myself in situations where I could show that I could compete, and I’m here now.

CPB – You got the call to Vancouver. How did you find out about it?

JJS – Well, I got called at 9 in the morning, they said. Mayo (Dunedin manager and current C’s manager José Mayorga) was making fun of me. He was like, ‘Hey, I heard you were driving Irv’s (Irv Carter) car around our apartment complex. And I’m just like thinking, I’m like, ‘Whoa, let me see.’ I did move his car because he was in Vancouver already before me. So he had told me to move his car around the complex. So I had moved it. I’m just like, ‘Oh, my God, I actually did move it.’ He’s like, ‘Well, you’re going to go see your brother. You’re going to Vancouver.’ So after that, it was a good promotion. It’s a blessing to be here.

CPB – You make your debut with the C’s and you joined the team in time for the playoff run. And you got the win in Game 2. What do you remember about your late season here with Vancouver?

JJS – Well, I mean, I had to prove myself. I mean, I was coming in back-to-back games and just getting a taste of it. Just letting me go, get some taste. And I finally proved myself what I could do in big situations. And they had all the faith in me to do it. I mean, I proved it time after time. I went three days back-to-back in the playoffs. It was very, very fun. It was amazing. It was the best feeling I could possibly say. I mean, coming in just for one inning and getting the job done and especially getting a chance to win. Just playing at a higher level than what I was and to actually compete for a ring is something I won’t forget.

CPB – What was that like, that preparation of making back-to-back appearances because that doesn’t happen often (at this level).

JJS – It doesn’t happen often, but there were situations where it’s left-on-left and I’m a lefty specialist. So Brent (2024 Vancouver Canadians manager Brent Lavallee) just told me, ‘Hey, give me another day. You got this?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, of course I got this!’ And he had a lot of faith in me. And he said, ‘Hey, these three batters are yours and that’s it.’ I mean, it wasn’t like seven to eight. He didn’t want two, three innings. He said, ‘Hey, these are the guys we need to attack in these big situations, get out of this inning, and then give it to the next man.’

CPB – If you had to describe yourself as a pitcher or give a scouting report of yourself, how would you describe yourself?

JJS – A spark plug, you know what I mean? I don’t look too big, but when that ball comes out, it comes out pretty good.

CPB – How have you found it pitching here in the Northwest League as you are in your first full season here in Vancouver?

JJS – It’s been pretty good. I haven’t pitched the best yet, but, I mean, I’m going towards the right direction. I think I’m going to start to feel myself again. And the weather’s been on and off. I mean, I’m from Texas, so it’s pretty hot back home. And over here, it’s pretty cold. So I’m just getting used to it. I mean, I’m adapting to it. I think we’re training in the right place, so I think it’s going to be great.

CPB – When you first arrived with the Blue Jays, you get to meet lots of people. Was there anyone you connected with or hit it off with right away?

JJS – Right away, Mason Fluharty. I got in and interacted with him. Brandon Barriera was very nice. Just to watch guys that, I mean, first-rounders. I mean, especially seeing a lefty just throw gas. I mean, that was something that I like watching. I think that’s something that’s pretty unique, because you don’t see that many left-hander pitchers throw hard.

CPB – The Player Development Complex (in Dunedin). How has that helped you develop?

JJS – I’ve gained 20 pounds since I’ve been here. I think I’m on the right track. I mean, going into there is like going to the Willy Wonka factory. I mean, you’ve got any resource that you need. I’ve never seen (anything like) it in my life. I mean, I walked in there, and I’m like, what the heck is this? Like, this is unbelievable. Any source you need, like, if you’re looking for answers, they have the answers to it.

CPB – Would you say you learned something about yourself? I don’t know if you’re a big analytics guy but was there any particular thing you learned?

JJS – My slider was very good. I throw an 80-grade slider. I mean, they’re very good. I didn’t know I had a good four-seamer, too. So, grading all these pitches and stuff like that was pretty nice to see, which I didn’t know. I mean, iron sharpens iron. And to go inside those labs and watching how you throw, and just after you have a whole report. I mean, I’ve never had that in my whole career. Just after I’m done, you’ve got a whole report on you. It’s pretty special.

CPB – Did you have a favourite major league team or player or pitcher growing up?

JJS – My favourite pitcher is Aroldis Chapman, Cuban Missile. I mean, I look up to him. I’ve watched him for so many years. He’s 30-something years old and still throwing 100 miles an hour. It’s pretty unique to watch.

CPB – Favourite team?

JJS – I really didn’t have a favourite team but now my favourite team now is the Blue Jays. Vladdy (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) is my favorite player. And also Framber Valdez, the left-handed pitcher from the Astros.

CPB – Final question. The Canadians have lots of different uniforms—red, black, white, blue, grey, lumberjack. Do you have a favourite?

JJS – I love the blue one. It brings out, I don’t know, just something to me. Just the colours is something that we don’t use. I mean, I’ve never used different types of uniforms like that, especially having six of them. So it’s pretty cool to have.

JJ Sánchez File

Born – September 8, 1999, in Los Fresnos, Texas
Height/Weight – 5-foot-11, 175 pounds
Bats/Throws – Left/Left
Uniform Numbers – Wore number 32 in 2019 and number 10 with Texas A&M International in 2020. Wore number 10 with Coastal Bend College in 2021. Wore number 22 with San Jacinto College in 2022. Wore number 18 with Southeastern Florida and number 47 with Dunedin in 2023. Wore number 7 with Dunedin and number 19 with Vancouver in 2024.
Professional Debut – August 2, 2023, for Dunedin Blue Jays versus Fort Myers. Pitched a perfect inning.
First Professional Strikeout – August 6, 2023, for Dunedin versus Fort Myers. Struck out Rubel Cespedes in another scoreless frame.
First Professional Save – May 12, 2024, for Dunedin at Fort Myers. Stranded a runner and struck out the final batter of the game.
First Professional Win – June 7, 2024, for Dunedin at Palm Beach. Pitched 2-2/3 innings.
C’s Debut – August 25, 2024, against Everett AquaSox. Struck out three with unearned run allowed.
1st C’s Win – September 11, 2024, against Spokane Indians in Game 2 of the Northwest League Championship Series. Stranded two runners and retired all three men he faced.
Twitter – @TheJJSanchez_10
Now You Know – Other Vancouver Canadians to come from Southeast Florida University are outfielder Austin Davis (2015) and pitcher Al Pesto (2023).