Sanchez makes most of chance with 51s

A few years ago, 51s shortstop Angel Sanchez received the best birthday gift of his life when he got the call to go the big leagues.

He had just returned to his native Puerto Rico after wrapping up a solid season at Double-A Wichita when the Kansas City Royals summoned him to the majors on Sept. 20, 2006.

"It was really a surprise," Sanchez said Thursday before the 51s' 5-4 win over Tacoma at Cashman Field. "I actually was home one day when they called me up ... and it was on my birthday, too, so it was awesome."

Sanchez made his major league debut a few days later and got his first big league hit off two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana.

But Sanchez's elation soon turned to disappointment when he injured his right elbow in his final game for the Royals that year.

Sanchez underwent Tommy John surgery the following spring and missed the entire 2007 season.

"It was the worst," he said. "You're having a good year and get called up, then the next year you're on the (disabled list)."

Once rated the best infielder in Kansas City's farm system by Baseball America, the 25-year-old Sanchez returned to action last season but still wasn't at full strength.

After batting a combined .247 in 101 games for Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha last season, Sanchez was placed on waivers by the Royals and claimed by the Blue Jays.

He has made the most of his chance with Las Vegas.

One of three 51s players to appear in 80 games this season, Sanchez has been a mainstay in the Las Vegas lineup.

He took a 10-game hitting streak into Thursday's game before going 0-for-3 and is batting .290 overall with three homers and 31 RBIs.

Sanchez, who has played 71 games at shortstop and 10 at second base, also is tied for the team lead with four triples and seven sacrifice bunts.

"He's done everything for us," Las Vegas manager Mike Basso said.

While Sanchez said he feels great and is healthy again, Basso said the infielder still has to strengthen his throwing arm to get another trip to the big leagues.

"He can be a major league shortstop, but it's totally up to him," Basso said. "He just needs to get his arm strength back to where it was and play more."

• NOTES -- The 51s released first baseman Brett Harper and promoted first baseman Brian Dopirak from Double-A New Hampshire. Las Vegas also activated catcher J.P. Arencibia from the disabled list and sent utilityman Jonathan Diaz to Double-A New Hampshire and pitcher Dumas Garcia and catcher Matt Liuzza to Single-A Dunedin (Fla.).

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.