BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pirates outfielder Lolo Sanchez opened a lot of eyes last season in the Gulf Coast League, bursting onto the scene and climbing up prospect rankings. He captured fans' attention in a different way on Monday, executing a straight steal of home in the Pirates' 6-3 loss to the Phillies at LECOM Park.
With Colin Moran batting and Philadelphia leading, 6-1, in the sixth, Sanchez took a huge lead from third base then broke for the plate. Pitcher Edubray Ramos' throw sailed in high as the speedy 18-year-old, called over from Minor League camp, easily cruised home.
"We've got to find some way to do something good, something positive," manager Clint Hurdle said afterward. "[Third-base coach] Joey [Cora] found an opportunity with a kid that can run, took advantage of it."
Sanchez, Pittsburgh's No. 10 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, hit .284/.359/.417, stole 14 bases and recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in center field for the Rookie-level GCL Pirates last year. A native of the Dominican Republic, Sanchez was signed by the Pirates on July 2, 2015.