Phillies Top Prospect Sixto Sanchez Nearing Return

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Philadelphia Phillies top prospect and No. 17-ranked MLB prospect RHP Sixto Sanchez — sidelined since early June due to inflammation in his right elbow — is nearing a return to the mound, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

In eight starts spanning his fourth professional season with the Class A-Advanced Clearwater Threshers, Sanchez, 20, is 4-3 with a 2.51 ERA, 1.071 WHIP and 45 strikeouts over 46 2/3 innings of work.

With the Threshers' regular season ending on Sunday, however, the Phillies are considering to have Sanchez pitch in next month's instructional league and possibly the Arizona Fall League "to make up for lost developmental time." Sanchez has recently thrown live batting practice in Clearwater and is "feeling great," according to Phillies Vice President and General Manager Matt Klentak.

Update (Aug. 30): Eight Phillies Prospects to Appear in 2018 Arizona Fall League

The San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, native was rumored to be included in a potential trade for then-Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, however a trade never materialized and the four-time All-Star was ultimately dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers.