Blue Jays' Jesus Sanchez 'very happy' to be with Toronto
Photo credit: Keegan Matheson-x.com
Jesús Sánchez wasted no time settling in.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jesus Sanchez arrived at spring training on Saturday morning, taking part in drills with his new teammates and getting his first look at the club’s expansive Player Development Complex.
Less than 24 hours earlier, Toronto had acquired the 28-year-old outfielder from the Houston Astros in exchange for fellow outfielder Joey Loperfido.
Sánchez was all smiles as he addressed reporters.
Sánchez was all smiles as he addressed reporters.
Jesus Sanchez’s reaction to being traded to Toronto:
“I know the team is a competitive team, it's a team that has always been giving their best. So, when I found out I felt extremely happy.”
Sanchez heard rumours the Blue Jays had interest in him when he was with the Marlins.
“I know the team is a competitive team, it's a team that has always been giving their best. So, when I found out I felt extremely happy.”
Sanchez heard rumours the Blue Jays had interest in him when he was with the Marlins.
While the welcome was warm, much of the attention quickly shifted to what Sánchez can do in the batter’s box particularly his raw power.
“My power is natural,” Sánchez said. “But for that to show up, I need to be relaxed and have fun. That’s why you’ll see me smiling. That’s part of my preparation. When I’m relaxed, that’s where I get my strength.”
When pitchers make mistakes, Sánchez has shown he can make them pay in a big way.
On May 30, 2022, he demolished a slider from Ryan Feltner that caught too much of the plate, launching it an eye-popping 496 feet into the third deck at Coors Field.
An example of Jesús Sánchez raw power ability, here he is hitting a 496 (!!!!) foot BOMB at Coors Field back in 2022 that left the Rockies broadcast dumbfounded. (115 MPH off the bat)
Former teammate Tommy Nance recalled watching from the bullpen and being stunned by the blast. “We were all in awe,” Nance said at the time.
Sánchez remembers it vividly — even if the feeling off the bat didn’t quite match the result.
“To be honest, I didn’t feel anything when I hit it,” he said with a grin. “My teammates were amazed. Everybody was surprised — even me. I didn’t think it went that far.”
The only homer he recalls hitting farther came on June 12, 2021, when he crushed a Kyle Bradish breaking ball 508 feet while playing Triple-A ball in Jacksonville.
Jesús Sánchez tells us that he’s known Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for a long time: the two arrived together this morning. He also told us he hit a ball 508ft in AAA. This image may be the most upset he looked the entire time. I’ve never seen a man happier to do media. #BlueJays
Still, Sánchez downplayed the minor-league milestone. “That was in the minors,” he said. “I want to do that in the big leagues.”
That mindset is part of what intrigued the Blue Jays. Toronto is betting that Sánchez’s blend of power and personality can translate into impact production.
Last season, Sánchez hit .237 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs across 134 games split between Miami and Houston.
Over six major-league seasons, he has totaled 73 home runs in 580 games.
Now, with a fresh start in Toronto, Sánchez is eager to turn his natural power — and infectious smile — into results where it matters most.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 14|135 ANSWERS Blue Jays' Jesus Sanchez 'very happy' to be with Toronto Do you think Jesus Sanchez will be able to finally put it all together in 2026? | ||
| Yes | 76 | 56.3 % |
| No | 21 | 15.6 % |
| Too early to tell | 38 | 28.1 % |
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