Entering 2021, Lolo Sanchez’s career with the Pirates could best be defined by his inconsistencies. A speedy player who excels at making contact, he never clicked in his first four seasons in pro ball and was not included at the alternate site or the instructional league last season.
However, this past season was the potential breakout he needed with Class High A Greensboro, being recognized by Baseball America as one of the rising prospects in the Pirates’ system.
On Wednesday, he was recognized by the Pirates as the organization’s Omar Moreno Baserunner of the Year after stealing 30 bases with the Grasshoppers.
Knowing the namesake for that award makes it more special for Sanchez.
"For me to be awarded this Omar Moreno award is a huge deal for me,” Sanchez said through translator Mike Gonzalez over Zoom Wednesday. “It's a great honor. It's something that I don't take lightly, especially it being Omar Moreno, a Latino. Also being Latino, it's a huge reflection that impacts me not only in a great way, but means a lot to me.”
Wanting to recognize the history of the organization for their minor-league accolades, the Pirates named their awards after prominent players in the club’s history. Moreno was one of the organization’s best base stealers, swiping 412 bags over eight seasons with the Pirates and 487 over his major league career.
Growing up, Sanchez heard stories from his dad about Moreno stemming from Moreno’s days playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic. As a professional, Sanchez was able to work with Moreno in the Florida Instructional League and during spring training.
“I remember [back in] 2018 and 2019, he had a really huge impact over my life, when it concerns mentorship and advice,” Sanchez said. “We spoke a lot about baserunning. We spoke a lot about the outfield. We even worked together in the outfield… I really appreciate that man.”
“I've heard amazing things about Omar Moreno, his baserunning and how amazing a baserunner he was,” Sanchez added shortly after. “I identify a lot with Omar Moreno. It's a huge honor to even be mentioned next to that name. It's an individual… not a stranger. He's someone that's poured into my life, so I appreciate him a lot."
For Moreno, Sanchez left an immediate good first impression at instructs in 2018.
“When I saw him for the first time in the instructional leagues, I thought, ‘wow, this guy could be a good baserunner, ” Moreno told me over the phone Wednesday night. “Not just a good baserunner. He does the basics [well].”
Sanchez has always had speed, with most agreeing it’s the 22-year-old’s best tool. That helps immensely when it comes to stealing or taking extra bases, but it’s not everything.
“There’s a difference between being fast and being good at base running,” Moreno said. “I tell those guys… if you want to steal, don’t be afraid to take a good lead. Be in the right position to steal, no matter who is pitching, no matter who is catching.”
Listening to Sanchez talk about how he approaches the running game, Moreno’s influence is apparent. Moreno stresses that the first two steps are the most important. Sanchez says that in practices, he tries to “dominate” his leap. To be able to take extra bases on hits, Moreno says you have to do your homework on the outfielders and pay attention to how they are playing. Sanchez scouts opposing teams heavily, including not only the starting pitcher, but relievers too.
And while he – and perhaps no major leaguer ever again – will be able to again match Moreno’s stretch of three straight seasons with at least 70 stolen bases, Sanchez has stolen at least 30 each of the past three seasons, omitting the cancelled 2020 minor-league campaign.
“When I started my professional career, that's always been my mindset,” Sanchez said. “My mindset's always been, every season, to have 30-plus stolen bases. Thank God I've been able to achieve that in the past three seasons, and it's a mindset that I have continuing forward. It's something that I've been able to prove that I can do, something that I continue to do.”
That’s only going to be more difficult as he continues to rise to the majors, with his next stop almost certainly being in Class AA Altoona next year. Moreno believes he can do it.
“When you play in a rookie league [or] A ball, you have to be prepared, because when you play another level, it’s going to be more difficult,” Moreno said. “You have to learn there’s a technique to steal bases, no matter who’s pitching or what level you’re going to play. If you have that good technique, you’ll have no problem stealing second base.”
Very Proud of this young man and his hard work. @YoungBucsPIT @Pirates Keep working hard Lolo it was a pleasure working with you. Voy a ti. Mantente humilde siempre. Bendiciones pic.twitter.com/nICDguS5pB
— Omar Renan Moreno Q (@OmarMoreno79) October 28, 2021
If Sanchez is able to rise through the Pirates’ farm system to the majors, it will be as a leadoff hitter type who is able to get on base and swipe bags. With that said, Sanchez showed some newfound power this season in Greensboro, going deep 17 times and posting a .453 slugging clip. Sanchez chalked that up to his mindset going into at-bats, making sure he is in a good hitting position and minding the situation.
Greensboro Kieran Mattison took notice of Sanchez while watching video from the Florida Instructional League last year. Sanchez wasn’t the subject of the video. He was lifting weights in the background. Sanchez went on to play winter ball shortly after, and in one of his first games hit a walk off winner.
Mattison saved the video and was sure to show it to Sanchez when he returned stateside.
“He didn't know I had that video, but I showed him that video and said this is what hard work looks like,” Mattison said. “It was fun to see him have an opportunity to change the game like that, and it was preparation.”
It’s been a journey to get to that point, but Sanchez’s trajectory appears to be in the right direction. Being mentioned alongside a mentor of his is certainly a positive sign.
“He’s a good kid,” Moreno said. “I’m really happy for him right now.”
