A Sit Down With Tony Sanchez

When I first met him freshman year, Tony Sanchez was a confident kid who played his music too loud for the RAs and a fierce defender out on the basketball court on Upper Campus. I got to know Tony really well over those next few weeks, and I quickly saw a kid who just loved the game of baseball and would do whatever it took to win, no matter what it was at. Coming out of Miami, by way of Killian High School, 18 year old Tony Sanchez arrived at Boston College flying under the radar as the Eagles’ newest catcher. His work ethic and ability were immediately visible as he won the starting job as a freshman in the spring of 2007. Three years later, 21 year old Tony Sanchez just came off of his best season at BC, starting in 58 of 60 games including all 3 ACC tournament games and all 3 NCAA regional games including the historic 25 inning game against Texas. In his 58 games, Tony hit a team leading .346 with 14 home runs and 51 runs-batted-in. Regarded as the top catcher in not only the ACC, but the country, Tony was one of three finalists for the Johnny Bench award, as the top catcher in college. No longer a no-name in baseball, Sanchez was selected as the 4^th overall pick in the 2009 MLB amateur draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Tony followed up his College career with an explosive summer of Minor League ball. He started with the State College Spikes where he hit .308 with 1 RBI over 4 games. He then was promoted to the Low-A West Virginia Power where he batted .316 with seven home runs, 15 doubles and 46 RBI over a span of 41 games. He earned South Atlantic League Player-of-the-Week honors for the week of August 10-16 when he hit .625 with 10 RBI. Tony recently was promoted to the High-A Hillcats of Lynchburg for their Playoff campaign where he has been instrumental in their winning effort, even blasting a go-ahead two-run homer in a pivital Divisional Series game this past week. Now one win away from a ring in his first season, Boston Sports Report had a chance to sit down with him

First off congratulations Tony, your hard-work has really paid off with the Pirates selecting you 4^th overall in the draft, what it was like when your name was called?

"It’s an unbelievable experience. I cant even begin to describe how my family and I felt when my name was called. Its such an honor to be taken that high, buts the draft is only the first step in a long process and I know that I have a lot more work that needs to be done in order to achieve my ultimate goal and that is becoming a successful major league catcher."

How was the whole draft experience?

"There is one word to describe the whole experience. Surreal. I would of never thought that this could happen to me but it just proves the saying that hard work pays off. My family and I are blessed for this opportunity and I know that I will take full advantage of it."

What was your pre-draft routine, what did you do to keep yourself from going crazy?

"I didn’t take a day off. I still haven’t. I have to get myself ready to perform at the next level. So after our season ended, I came home to Miami, made some phone calls, and have been working with my hitting coaches from highschool and keeping up with my workout regimen. It all really helped with dealing with the whole process and helped cope with the nerves that came with a time like this."

Tell me a little bit about your work ethic and the “Now Famous Subway Diet”.

"Haha its not famous yet, but im doing my best to make it famous and give other baseball players, that may be a tad overweight, like I was, a stepping stone to making a change. Work ethic is something that an athlete shouldn’t brag about. You either have it or you don’t. You’re not going to get praised for what you do behind closed doors or when no one is looking and I think that’s what drives me to keep pushing myself. No one see’s the hard work that’s put in, in the gym and during practice and those times is what makes or breaks an athlete."

Coming out of High School, you weren’t regarded as a top-tier prospect, what was it about Boston College that made you want to brave the cold to play here?

"Well I wanted to be an impact guy from the beginning at an ACC school. In other words, I wanted to be the starting catcher from day 1. BC was my best chance to achieve that goal and once I took my visit and met everyone I fell in love with the school and my future teammates. I also could not refuse the scholarship and the opportunity to further my education at such a prestigious university."

How do you feel Boston College has gotten you prepared for this new stage in your career?

"Playing in one of the best conferences in the country and against some of the best players in college has definitely turned me into a better baseball player. Along with developing my talents on the field, I have matured off of it and making the right decisions off the field is just as important as making them on the field and that has definitely helped me with getting ready for the next level."

What do you feel was the most important piece of the Tony Sanchez puzzle that made you so coveted by the Pirates?

"My character. The Pirates knew what I could do on the field and they knew they were getting a solid catcher but they really emphasized a need for high character guys and I think that my makeup (baseball term for character) really pushed them towards selecting me in the first round."

What do you see as the piece of your game that the Pirates will be able to help you with?

"They are definitely going to help me with my pitch calling and are going to give me the coaching and tools I need to call a good game."