Jesus Sanchez showing the consistency needed to remain mainstay in Marlins lineup

When the Miami Marlins acquired Jesus Sanchez from the Tampa Bay Rays four years ago, the hope was that the outfielder would become an everyday player in their lineup.

It took a little longer than expected for Sanchez to rise to the occasion, but the 25-year-old this season has begun to show the consistency needed to be a mainstay for the Marlins.

And it’s coming at a needed time, too.

With center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the injured list for the past month-plus with turf toe, Sanchez has filled the Marlins’ void of a left-handed hitter in the middle of the order. Sanchez is one of three left-handed hitters on the Marlins’ active roster. The other two: shortstop Joey Wendle, who is the bottom third of the lineup, and second baseman Luis Arraez, who bats leadoff.

Sanchez has held his own in the role.

On the season, Sanchez is hitting .273 with six home runs, 21 RBI and 19 runs scored over 49 games. He ranks third on the team with an .847 on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.847) and is tied for third with 12 doubles.

He also has at least one hit in each of his past five starts, including a double in the fourth inning Wednesday that set the stage for Garrett Cooper’s two-run double to help Miami avoid a shutout in its eventual 6-3 loss.

“It’s a matter of confidence,” Sanchez said through an interpreter. “You’ve got to trust yourself. Also, the position the team is in right now actually helps everybody to get all pumped everytime you go out there. But, overall, it’s a matter of confidence that has been working for me.”

His confidence is back after missing a little more than two weeks at the end of May with a right hamstring strain right when he was starting to get in a groove.

Before he was placed on the injured list, he was batting .290 over 77 plate appearances with three home runs, nine runs, 10 RBI, and three stolen bases.

Since returning from the injured list on May 31, he is hitting .274 (14 for 62) with two doubles, three home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored.

Outside of confidence, Sanchez acknowledges that he is one of his team’s vital players. The encouragement from his teammates and staff motivated Sanchez to return to where he had been and improve upon it.

“The support from the staff and the team was something that really helped me come back,” Sanchez said. “I know I’m considered one of the key players and that’s one of the things that helps.”

Sanchez has been holding his own defensively as well. According to Fangraphs, Sanchez has four defensive runs saved this season, the most among any Marlins outfielder.

He also has arguably the team’s biggest defensive play of the year with his ninth-inning grand slam robbery of Eugenio Suarez in the Marlins’ 4-1 win over the Seattle Mariners on June 14 at T-Mobile Park — a moment that won Sanchez MLB play of the week.

“When I felt the glove, it was heavy,” Sanchez said that night. “I knew there that I made the catch. … I knew the importance of that at-bat. When I saw the hit, I thought ‘I have to make this play.’ If I don’t make it, we’re going to keep playing, so I have to make it.”

It was one of the latest examples of his impact on the team showing up when the Marlins have needed it this season.