PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Catcher Tony Sanchez was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis Sunday after playing in a 2-0 Altoona win.

He was told about the promotion after the game and described it as “surreal.”

“Surreal experience, man,” Sanchez told the Altoona Mirror. “My first promotion since ’09, so I forgot what that feels like. It feels good, and I’m really happy.”

Sanchez has raised his average 37 points to .277 in his last 13 games. He has 14 doubles on the season with an on base percentage of .370.

His manager said that defense was just as big, if not a bigger factor in determining whether or not he was ready to make the jump to triple-a.

“This isn’t about the offense,” Altoona manager P.J. Forbes said. “This has nothing to do with how he’s swinging the bat. That’s just for us a bonus right now. The main thing for us all along has been what he can do being able to handle the staff and gaining their trust, and I believe in my heart that he did that.”

Sanchez was drafted in 2009 as the catcher of the future for the organization.

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Chris Gates | Bucs Blog
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