Romulo Sanchez
From BR Bullpen
Romulo Ignacio Sanchez Oviedo
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 5", Weight 240 lb.
- Born April 28, 1984 in Carora, Lara Venezuela
[edit] Biographical Information
A tall, hard-throwing right-hander, Romulo Sanchez signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an undrafted free agent and debuted with the 2002 DSL Dodgers, going 1-4 with one save and a 4.44 ERA. With the same club a year later, the teenager had a 2-3, 4.46 record. Released by LA, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He pitched four scoreless innings with two saves for the 2004 Universidad team in the Venezuelan Summer League. In '05, Sanchez split time between three levels. His records were 1-0, 1.80 for the GCL Pirates, 1-0, 3.60 for the Altoona Curve and 3-3, 4.70 with the Hickory Crawdads for a 5-3, 4.15 composite line. In 2006, Romulo was 0-3 with five saves and a 5.86 ERA between Altoona, Hickory (his main stop) and the Lynchburg Hillcats. Despite his fastball being clocked as fast as 97 mph, his strikeout totals had been unimpressive - 121 in 198 2/3 IP to that point. He was added to Pittsburgh's 40-man roster that winter.
Sanchez had a good 2007 with Altoona, going 6-3 with one save and a 2.81 ERA in 40 games. He struck out 52 in 57 2/3 IP and allowed a .204 average. He was called up to Pittsburgh in late August when Salomon Torres went on the Disabled List with an inflamed MCL in his right elbow.
Sanchez debuted in the majors in a 5-4 loss to the Astros. He came in with a 4-3 lead in the 7th, relieving Franquelis Osoria. He walked Chris Burke but then induced a double play from Hunter Pence. Damaso Marte relieved Sanchez at that point. Overall, he was 1-0 with a 5.00 ERA in 16 outings for the Pirates.
Sources: Wilbur Miller's scouting report, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Minorleaguebaseball.com
