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Best San Francisco Giants of the 2010s: 27. Jonathan Sanchez

Joel Reuter|
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 22: Jonathan Sanchez #57 of the San Francisco Giants starts against the Oakland A's at AT&T Park on May 22, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 5-4 in 11 innings. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 22: Jonathan Sanchez #57 of the San Francisco Giants starts against the Oakland A's at AT&T Park on May 22, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The Giants won 5-4 in 11 innings. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez was a staple in the San Francisco Giants rotation for three years, including during the team’s 2010 World Series run.

The San Francisco Giants selected Jonathan Sanchez in the 27th round of the 2004 draft out of Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio.

After a solid pro debut, he posted a 4.08 ERA with 166 strikeouts in 125.2 innings at Single-A during the 2005 season, and that swing-and-miss stuff put him on the fast track to the majors.

He wound up making his MLB debut less than two years after he was drafted on May 28, 2006.

The southpaw spent his first two seasons in the majors in a swingman role, logging a 5.48 ERA and 1.60 WHIP with 95 strikeouts in 92 innings over eight starts and 52 relief appearances.

He joined the starting staff full-time in 2008 and spent the next three seasons as a staple in the rotation:

  • 2008: 9-12, 5.01 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 75 BB, 157 K, 158.0 IP
  • 2009: 8-12, 4.24 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 88 BB, 177 K, 163.1 IP
  • 2010: 13-9, 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 96 BB, 205 K, 193.1 IP

He tossed a no-hitter during the 2009 season, striking out 11 batters and needing just 110 pitches to blank the San Diego Padres, with the only baserunner of the game reaching on an error.

From there, the 2010 season was an interesting one for Sanchez.

While he posted a stellar 3.07 ERA and led the National League with just 6.6 hits allowed per nine innings, he also issued an NL-high 96 walks.

His first career postseason start came against the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS when he allowed two hits and one earned run while striking out 11 in 7.1 innings.

He gave up four earned runs in eight innings while starting Game 2 and Game 6 of the NLCS, and also took the ball in Game 3 of the World Series.

In 2011, he posted a 4.26 ERA in 19 starts, but his walk rate spiked from 4.5 to 5.9 BB/9 and he missed significant time to injury.

The Giants shipped him to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Melky Cabrera prior to the 2012 season, and he made just 20 more appearances at the MLB level.

Check back here regularly as we count down the 50 best San Francisco Giants of the 2010s.

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