Sanchez slimmed down but needs to stay healthy

There was concern for a couple of days last week that slugging first base prospect Henry Sanchez had suffered a serious knee injury while sliding into second base during an extended spring training game.

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: June 9, 2007 - 4:07 PM

A magnetic resonance imaging exam showed only a strain. Sanchez, a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds in 2005, shouldn't miss any significant time.

The Twins have had trouble keeping Sanchez on the field so he can develop. He's twice had surgery on his wrist and he's batted just .211 with seven homers in 81 games over the past two years.

Sanchez, 20, also weighed more than 270 pounds but recently has gotten down to around 250. He was beginning to turn it on in extended spring training games before the injury.

"He's got a different look about him," said Jim Rantz, the Twins' director of minor leagues. "He came in in somewhat better shape. He looks good. He's always going to be a big man.

"It would be nice to get him on the field healthy for a year."

Check-up time

In the spirit of draft week, it's time to check in on the Twins' recent No. 1 picks.

• 2006: Christopher Parmalee, outfielder: Parmalee showed good power in rookie ball last season but entered the weekend batting just .227 with five homers for Class A Beloit.

"We know he's got power," Rantz said. "He hasn't been consistent with the bat."

• 2005: Matt Garza, righthander: Garza is 3-5 with a 3.44 ERA at Class AAA Rochester after rising from A-ball to the majors last season. He has top of the rotation ability but is still smoothing out some rough edges, especially pitch selection.

• 2004: Trevor Plouffe, shortstop: He was batting .276 at Class AA New Britain entering Friday, but was batting .350 over his previous 10 games. Can field well, but still has bouts of carelessness. Turns 21 on Friday.

• Glen Perkins, lefthander: Perkins was called up last month to pitch out of the bullpen (he's currently injured) but his future is as a starter.

• Kyle Waldrop, righthander: He's 0-3 with a 5.09 ERA at New Britain after being promoted from Class A Fort Myers a few weeks ago. Waldrop, 21, has good control and can change speeds, but is adjusting to tougher competition.

• 2003: Matt Moses, third baseman: Moses, 22, was pushed to Rochester because of prospects moving up behind him. He hasn't hit, is still a project with the glove and has missed more than a week because of a neck injury.

• 2003: Denard Span, outfielder: Span, 23, impressed during spring training but entered Friday batting just .227 at Rochester and has been dropped from the leadoff spot.

"We're trying to put him in a situation where he's relaxed and isn't putting so much pressure on himself in the leadoff spot," Rantz said.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

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