Javier Sanoja explains his fast rise to MLB

[Kevin Barral]

At 22 years old, Sanoja is already at the Major League level. The versatility and contact hitting he showed as a prospect have immediately translated.

MIAMI, FL —It has all happened so fast for Javier Sanoja. The undersized utility man who spent most of his time last year at the Low-A level is now on the field almost every day for the Miami Marlins.

The organization has consistently challenged Sanoja and he hasn't backed down. Late in the 2023 season, he earned a promotion to High-A. Those 30 games were impressive enough to get the 5'7" Venezuelan a long look at Marlins big league spring training camp. He began the 2024 season at Double-A where he only stayed for 15 games before getting moved up to Triple-A in place of an injured José Devers. After an initial adjustment period, Sanoja raked against AAA pitching throughout the summer. Shortly after his 22nd birthday, he got his first MLB call-up on the night of September 6.

"It was an unforgettable moment for any baseball player," said Sanoja in Spanish. "I think every player wants to make their Major League debut and thankfully that opportunity came to me. I was in [Louisville,] Kentucky on a road trip and the manager called me and asked me why I didn't run hard enough. He then told me that the the organization was sending me to Miami and to run hard and my face changed because I was disappointed it wasn't my best night, but thankfully I was able to debut."

Prior to his contract selection, Sanoja was slashing .291/.354/.431/.785 with six home runs, 58 RBI, 14 stolen bases and a 105 wRC+ at the AAA level. Making contact is his best skill. He had the lowest strikeout percentage in the International League despite being five years younger than the average player in the league.

It isn't normal to see such rapid movement through the minor leagues, especially in a case like Sanoja's. When signed by the Marlins as an international free agent in 2019, he received a bonus of only $90k, representing less than 2% of the team's overall bonus pool.

"I think winter ball has played a fundamental part for me," said Sanoja, who played for Venezuela's Cardenales de Lara after the 2022 and 2023 minor league seasons. "I think that's helped me advance quickly."

It's only been 27 plate appearances thus far at the Major League level, but Sanoja has made the transition smoothly so far. His .718 OPS is almost identical to the career .719 OPS he posted in the minors. Entering Friday, he has gone 19 straight plate appearances without striking out, which is among the longest active streaks in MLB.

"I can't imagine being in the big leagues at 22 years old," said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. "I was scuffling in Low-A or High-A and he's trying to hit Major League-caliber pitching."

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Sanoja's defense will have a big impact on his role. He gained experience at practically every position during his journey through the minors and winter ball. Schumaker has already used him at second base, shortstop, left field and center field. Whether it be starting or coming off the bench, that versatility has gotten him on the field in 11 out of 12 games since his call-up.

"He's going to be the Tommy Edmans, the Daniel Descalsos, and back in the day, the [Chone] Figginses. He's going to be playing everywhere because he can run. He takes really good at-bats...I think if he can play shortstop and be good defensively, he'll be in the league for 15 years."

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