Cristopher Sanchez has been named to the 2024 MLB All-Star game, padding the Philadelphia Phillies’ franchise record by being their eighth representative in this year’s Mid-Summer Classic.
Sanchez has continued to develop as a high-end starting pitcher, rocking a 2.96 ERA and 2.55 FIP in 103.1 innings, already a career-high. After working his way up the Phillies’ ranks since being called up to the majors in 2021, the 27-year-old earned a four-year contract extension, his first-ever All-Star nod and his first Pitcher of the Month Award in 2024.
One of the biggest factors in Sanchez’s success is his prevention of home runs, of which he has allowed just two. Even for a pitcher who specializes in forcing ground-ball contact — a result that comprises 59.6 percent of his batted balls, the second-best mark in the majors behind Houston’s Framber Valdez — that’s an incredible feat. The next lowest total among pitchers with 100.0 innings this season is five.
Sanchez also possesses one of the best changeups in the game. The pitch owns a run value of 11 on Statcast, which ranks only behind the Los Angeles Angels’ Tyler Anderson. Hitters have a batting average of just .166 and a slugging percentage of just .185 against it and whiff on it 38.5 percent of the time.
In June, Sanchez threw his first complete game, a shutout against the Miami Marlins, and posted a 1.64 ERA in five starts/33.0 innings, earning him the POTM award alongside Bryce Harper. Even on one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball, Sanchez manages to stand out. Even Phillies manager Rob Thomson said recently that he’s surprised with how good Sanchez has become.
Sanchez joins starting pitchers Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suarez and relief pitchers Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm in the 2024 All-Star game, an MLB-record five pitchers from one team on a single All-Star roster. Harper, Alec Bohm and Trea Turner are all starting for the National League. The Phillies tied the MLB record by sending eight players to the All-Star Game.
The 2024 MLB All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday at the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field. The Phillies will be better represented than any other team, a fitting reward for their MLB-best 61-33 record.
AP Photo/Derik Hamilton
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