Sanchez Makes NWL Draft History
Former Bombers’ Catcher Drafted 4th Overall
(ROCHESTER, MN) Former Battle Creek Bombers’ catcher Tony Sanchez (Boston College) became the highest draft pick in Northwoods League history when he was selected 4th overall Tuesday by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
The 6’1″ 220-pound Sanchez was an all-star for the expansion Bombers in 2007. That season the right-handed hitter played 61 games for Battle Creek and hit .269 with 17 doubles, 3 home runs, and 30 RBI. He was named to both the mid-season All-Star team for the South Division as well as the Northwoods League’s Postseason All-Star team that is comprised of players from both divisions.
The Miami, Florida native joined Battle Creek coming out of his freshman season at Boston College where he hit .318 in 50 games. As a sophomore, Sanchez was a .313 hitter in 53 contests. This spring for the Golden Eagles Sanchez turned it on at the plate batting a team-high .346 with 19 doubles, 14 home runs and 51 RBI. Perhaps the greatest attribute that Sanchez brings to the table is his defense. He threw out 39% (19-for-49) of would be base stealers this spring.
Former St. Cloud River Bats pitcher Thomas Diamond previously held the mark as the highest draft pick of Northwoods League alumni. Diamond was selected as the 10th overall pick by the Texas Rangers out of the University of New Orleans in 2004. The complete listing of 1st round picks is below:
Tony Sanchez, C (Battle Creek 2007), 4th pick by Pittsburgh in 2009
Thomas Diamond, RHP (St. Cloud 2002-03), 10th pick by Texas in 2004
Max Scherzer, RHP (La Crosse 2004), 11th pick by Arizona in 2006
Jeff Weaver, RHP (Dubuque 1995), 14th pick by Detroit in 1998
Lance Broadway, RHP (Wisconsin 2004), 15th pick by Chicago (AL) in 2005
The Northwoods League plays more games than, draws more fans than, and plays in venues superior to any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. The league’s 16th season is underway.
