Alejandro “Alex” Sanabia (born September 8, 1988) is a right-handed professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...

for the

Toros de Tijuana The Toros de Tijuana (English: Tijuana Bulls) are a Mexican baseball team based in Tijuana, Mexico, that competes in the Mexican Baseball League. The team plays its home games at Estadio Chevron. Team history Original Attempt The franchise w ...

of the

Mexican League The Mexican Baseball League (, or LMB, ) is a professional baseball league in Mexico. It is the oldest running professional sports league in the country. The league has 20 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games ...

. He has previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

(MLB) for the Florida/Miami Marlins.

Early life

Sanabia was born in San Diego, California on September 8, 1998. He attended

Castle Park High School Castle Park High School (CPHS) is a four-year public high school in Chula Vista, California, United States. Established in 1963, the school serves grades 9–12. It has approximately 1,500 students, those of which are primarily from low to mid ...

Chula Vista, California Chula Vista ( ; , ) is a city in San Diego County, California, United States. It is the second-most populous city in the San Diego metropolitan area, the Largest cities in Southern California, seventh-most populous city in Southern California ...

. As a senior in 2006, Sanabia earned first-team All-

CIF San Diego Section The CIF San Diego Section (CIF-SDS) is the governing body of high school athletics for most of the two southernmost counties of California (San Diego and Imperial Counties), one of ten such sections that comprise the California Interscholastic Fed ...

Division II honors and was named the Metro Conference Pitcher of the Year.

Career

Florida/Miami Marlins

Prior to playing professionally, Sanabia attended

. He was drafted by the

Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. The team plays its home games at LoanDepot Park. The ...

in the 32nd round of the 2006 amateur draft and began his professional career that season, playing for the rookie–level

Gulf Coast League Marlins The Florida Complex League Marlins are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Miami Marlins, competing in the Florida Complex League of Minor League Baseball. Prior to the 2021 season, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Marlins. The team plays i ...

. With them, Sanabia went 3–1 with a 3.24 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 11 relief appearances. He pitched for the Low–A

Jamestown Jammers The Jamestown Jammers were a minor league baseball team based in Jamestown, New York from 1994 until 2014. The team was the Short-Season A classification affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates and played in the New York–Penn League. The team play ...

in 2007, going 2–6 with a 5.13 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 15 starts. In 2008 with the Single–A

Greensboro Grasshoppers The Greensboro Grasshoppers are a Minor League Baseball team based in Greensboro, North Carolina. They are members of the South Atlantic League and are the High-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They play their home games at First National B ...

, Sanabia went 5–5 with a 4.93 ERA and 75 strikeouts across 19 starts. With the High–A

Jupiter Hammerheads The Jupiter Hammerheads are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are located in the town of Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida, and play their home games at Roger Dean ...

in 2009, Sanabia went 9-5 with a 3.45 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 19 games (18 starts). He began the 2010 season with the Double–A

Jacksonville Suns The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They are located in Jacksonville, Florida, and are named for shrimp caught in the area. The team pla ...

, going 5–1 with a 2.03 ERA with 65 strikeouts in 14 starts prior to his call up. Sanabia made his major league debut on June 24, 2010, pitching innings in relief and posting an ERA of 5.40 against the

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...

. He appeared in 15 games for the Marlins that year, making 12 starts, going 5–3 with a 3.73 ERA and 47 strikeouts. In 2011 for Miami, Sanabia went posted a 3.27 ERA and 8 strikeouts in three games (two starts). In the minor leagues, he went 0–5 with a 5.75 ERA and 19 strikeouts. Sanabia began 2012 with the Triple–A

New Orleans Zephyrs New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz (South Korean band), The Boyz * New (album), ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 ** New (Paul McCartney song), "New" (Paul McCartney song), 2013 * New (EP), ''New'' (EP), ...

. He finished the 2012 season with the Zephyrs going 6-7 with a 4.06 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, in innings pitched, with 24 walks, 63 strikeouts in 17 games started. On April 5, 2013, Sanabia made his first start since 2011, pitching 6 shutout innings against the

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...

and picking up the win. In a May 20 start against the

Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...

, Sanabia gained infamy for spitting on the baseball and proceeding to throw it, something he claimed he didn't know was illegal. He got the win in that start, giving up 1 run in innings. Sanabia's next start, against the White Sox, was limited to 4 innings due to groin injury, and he was placed on the disabled list, and his season was ended.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Sanabia was claimed off waivers by the

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...

on October 4, 2013. On April 16, 2014, Sanabia was outrighted off of the 40-man roster. In 8 games (4 starts) for the Triple–A

Reno Aces The Reno Aces are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are located in Reno, Nevada, and play their home games at Greater Nevada Field, w ...

, he recorded an 8.10 ERA with 11 strikeouts across innings pitched. On May 5, Sanabia was released by the Diamondbacks organization.

Miami Marlins (second stint)

Sanabia returned to the

Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...

on a minor league contract on May 8, 2014. His 2014 minor league stats with Reno and the Triple–A

were a combined 7–5 record, a 4.70 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts in 134 innings pitched.

Los Angeles Angels

On November 24, 2014, Sanabia signed a minor league contract with the

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, ...

organization. He spent the season with the Triple-A

Salt Lake Bees The Salt Lake Bees are a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team that plays in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. Based in South Jordan, Utah, the team plays its home games at The Ballpark at Am ...

and elected free agency on November 6, 2015.

Toros de Tijuana

On March 7, 2016, Sanabia signed with the

of the

Chicago Cubs

On May 9, 2016, Sanabia had his contract purchased by the

Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...

and was assigned to the Triple–A

Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. T ...

. On June 13, the Cubs organization released Sanabia after he posted a 6.34 ERA in Iowa.

Toros de Tijuana (second stint)

On June 16, 2016, Sanabia signed with the

of the

. Sanabia pitched to a 3.86 ERA with a 3-1 record in 11 games for the Toros in 2017. Sanabia began the 2018 season on the disabled list.

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos

On July 27, 2018, Sanabia was traded to the

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos The Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (English: Two Laredos Owls), formerly known as the Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo (English: Nuevo Laredo Owls), are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League. The Tecolotes are a binational baseball team, spli ...

to complete a deal that saw the Tecolotes acquire Sergio Mitre. In 8 games (7 starts) for Dos Laredos, he struggled to a 6.68 ERA with 23 strikeouts across innings pitched.

Rieleros de Aguascalientes/Bravos de León

On January 9, 2019, Sanabia was traded to the

Rieleros de Aguascalientes The Rieleros de Aguascalientes (English: Aguascalientes Railroaders) are a professional baseball team based in Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes that competes in the Mexican League. Established in 1975, the Rieleros have won the Mexican League cha ...

of the

. He was loaned to the

Bravos de León The Bravos de León (English: León Braves) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in León, Guanajuato, Mexico. History Cachorros de León (1979–80) Mexican League baseball in León began in 1979 when the Alijadore ...

on July 10, for the remainder of the season. He was returned to the Rieleros following the 2019 season. Between the two clubs, Sanabia pitched to a 7.37 ERA with 70 strikeouts in innings pitched across 22 games. He was released on March 8, 2020.

York Revolution

On March 9, 2021, Sanabia signed with the

York Revolution The York Revolution is an American professional minor-league baseball team based in York, Pennsylvania. It is a member of the North Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent "partner league" of Major League Basebal ...

of the

Atlantic League of Professional Baseball The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are l ...

. In six starts with York, Sanabia logged a 3-0 record and 2.43 ERA with 24 strikeouts across innings pitched.

New York Mets

On June 29, 2021, Sanabia’s contract was purchased by the

organization. Sanabia pitched to a 4.34 ERA in 12 appearances split between the Triple-A

Syracuse Mets The Syracuse Mets are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are located in Syracuse, New York, and play their home games at NBT Bank Stadium, which ope ...

and Double-A

Binghamton Rumble Ponies The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are an American Minor League Baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club. The Rumble Ponies play in Mi ...

. On November 7, Sanabia elected free agency.

York Revolution (second stint)

On February 22, 2022, Sanabia re-signed with the

of the

. In 17 starts 87 innings he went 4-5 with a 4.86 ERA with 74 strikeouts.

Gastonia Honey Hunters

On August 16, 2022, Sanabia was traded to the

Gastonia Honey Hunters The Gastonia Honey Hunters were a professional baseball team based in Gastonia, North Carolina. They played in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a "partner league" of Major League Baseball, at CaroMont Health Pa ...

of the

. Sanabia made 5 starts for Gastonia to round out the year, posting a pristine 3–0 record and 0.93 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched. He became a free agent following the season. On April 28, 2023, Sanabia re-signed with Gastonia for the 2023 season. He started 6 games for the Honey Hunters, registering a 4–0 record and 3.94 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched. Sanabia was released by Gastonia on May 30.

Saraperos de Saltillo

On June 2, 2023, Sanabia signed with the

Saraperos de Saltillo The Saraperos de Saltillo (English: Saltillo Serapes) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League. Their home ballpark is the Estadio de Béisbol Francisco I. Madero in Saltillo, Coahuila. They have won three championships (1980, 2009 ...

of the

. In 10 starts for the team, he went 1–2 with a 5.32 ERA and 38 strikeouts across innings of work. Sanabia made 14 starts for Saltillo in 2024, posting a 4–6 record and 3.45 ERA with 39 strikeouts across innings pitched. Sanabia made three starts for Saltillo in 2025, recording a 5.40 ERA with five strikeouts across innings pitched. On May 30, 2025, Sanabia was released by the Saraperos.

Toros de Tijuana (third stint)

On June 3, 2025, Sanabia signed with the

of the

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sanabia, Alex 1988 births Living people American expatriate baseball players in Mexico Baseball players from San Diego Bravos de León players Charros de Jalisco players Florida Marlins players Greensboro Grasshoppers players Gulf Coast Marlins players Jacksonville Suns players Jamestown Jammers players Jupiter Hammerheads players Major League Baseball pitchers Mexican League baseball pitchers Miami Marlins players Navegantes del Magallanes players American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela New Orleans Zephyrs players Reno Aces players Rieleros de Aguascalientes players Salt Lake Bees players Saraperos de Saltillo players Baseball players from Chula Vista, California Surprise Saguaros players Syracuse Mets players Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos players Toros de Tijuana players 21st-century American sportsmen York Revolution players