By Karen Price

Published: Sunday, March 10, 2013, 7:18 p.m.
Updated: Monday, March 25, 2013

BRADENTON, Fla. — Tony Sanchez admits that when he saw his name on the lineup as Saturday's starting catcher and A.J. Burnett's as the starting pitcher his first thought was, “Oh, crap.”

His second thought was that he'd better get a good night's sleep Friday and bring his “A” game for his first time catching the staff ace.

“Because that's your first impression, and first impressions mean a lot, especially as far as a pitcher-catcher relationship goes,” said Sanchez, 24. “If he's not comfortable throwing to me in the beginning it's going to take a few times before he does feel comfortable. And he is one of those guys who you want in your corner.”

Sanchez accomplished his goal. Burnett had nothing but good things to say after his first collaboration with the Pirates' first-round pick from 2009. The right-hander was particularly impressed with Sanchez's ability to block pitches in the dirt and handle both his two-seamer and four-seamer.

“He's good to work with,” said Burnett, 36. “A lot of catchers can't do the four seam, two seam; they have to call each one of them, and I love catchers that don't care which one you throw; they're ready for either one. That's huge for a pitcher. And he's calm back there, so it was good.”

That calm, Sanchez said, had a lot to do with Burnett, who made a point to talk to Sanchez after batting practice and offer some words of encouragement.

“He said, ‘Call your game, catch your game. I'm following you,' ” Sanchez said. “He said, ‘I'm really intense on the mound. It's nothing against you; that's just the way I am. So you have fun back there, do what you do and let's do as well as we can.' ”

With Russell Martin nursing a sore right shoulder, Sanchez said he's probably had more playing time in his fourth big league camp than in the three prior years combined. Coach Jeff Branson and hitting coach Jay Bell have been helping him with his approach at the plate, and he's developing relationships with the pitchers he's never caught.

But as smooth as Saturday went, there was one close call.

Burnett doesn't leave the mound after his last warm-up pitch, so after he threw his fastball Sanchez threw to second with Burnett standing on the highest part of the mound facing the outfield.

“So (Sanchez) comes in the dugout and he says, ‘Good job, good job. … Can you do me a favor please?' ” Burnett said. “I was like, ‘What? It was a good inning, what do you want?' and he was like, ‘Can you get out of the way a little bit when I'm throwing?' ”

Sanchez laughed when telling his side of the story but only because Burnett escaped in one piece.

“I just let it rip, and it went about a half a foot away from his head and I'm just like, ‘Oh my God.' Pittsburgh would have just murdered me if I hit A.J. in the back of the head,” Sanchez said. “Holy moly. I would have been sent down to minor league camp so quick.”

1. Improved depth could drive Pirates’ fortunes deep into season
2. Improved roster depth could drive Pirates’ fortunes deep into season
3. McCutchen homer in 12th gives Pirates rare victory vs. Brewers
4. Pirates notebook: NL Central not so soft after all
5. Pirates notebook: McCutchen scratched with soreness in right knee
6. Pirates starters Locke, Wandy enjoying good fortune
7. Former Pirates prospect Grossman now starting in center for Houston
8. Pirates notebook: Injuries can leave roster in limbo
9. Rodriguez, Walker push Pirates past Brewers
10. Pirates notebook: Alvarez sits against righty Gallardo
11. Pirates get the bats going, knock off Brewers to take 4-game series

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.