BRADENTON, Fla. -- Let's be honest: Tony Sanchez has no chance.
The Pirates' opening day catcher will be Francisco Cervelli, acquired over the offseason from the Yankees with a stated aim of being the starter. The backup will be veteran Chris Stewart. And even in the minors, the prospect darling of the day is Elias Diaz, whose talent is so rich that no less an authority than Manny Sanguillen labels him "our guy ... soon ... you will see."
All of which should mean that the franchise's once-prized 2009 first-round draft pick might as well be sitting with the seagulls in McKechnie Field's cheap seats.
"I know, right?" Sanchez was telling me with a broad smile this morning. "No chance."
Nope. None.
Oh, except for this, maybe: Including the Pirates' 13-7 loss to the Astros today, he's 8 for 15 with a home run, two doubles and five RBIs. And infinitely more important given his history, he's been sound defensively, with both the glove and the arm.
"Really, really good," A.J. Burnett said.
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