Atlanta Braves Off Season Trouble Spot – Catcher

Mar 4, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (78) hits a sacrifice RBI during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at a spring training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Gary Sanchez

I’ve advocated for a trade with the Yankees to add Gary Sanchez several times this year. According to MLB Pipeline, Sanchez is the Yankees # 8 ranked prospect but he had some issues on and off the field that caused the Yanks some consternation. That seems to have passed according to various reports over the summer and he got a call up in September but it was simply a token as had only two plate appearances.  Offensively Sanchez is a future middle of the order bat who doesn’t strike out as much as you might think given his profile.

In the past defense has been his biggest problem. He was always good at blocking balls in the dirt and throwing out runners but he had a tendency to be lazy now and then. All season long the Yankees have been saying to whoever would listen how much his defense was improving with each game. I’m notoriously suspicious of such pronouncements – remember Jesus Montero? – but it seems in this case to be genuine. He isn’t playing winter ball however they did send him to the AZL either to get him a chance to catch a couple of dozen more games or showcase his bat in order to trade him; take your pick.

Baseball America published a Scout’s View of Sanchez that’s available to all (yes free) that casts a favorable light on his defense as well as continuing to emphasize his bat. I encourage reading the whole report as there’simportant detail there and again, it’s free.

"(Sanchez’) swing is powerful and generates great bat speed. . .  He still has some young hitter tendencies to swing at breaking balls out of the strike zone,. . . looks like a guy that will hit in the .260-.270 range. . .he could produce as many as 30 homers in his prime years. . .Sanchez is large physically . . . and provides a big target. . .He has soft hands and showed good blocking skills.. . .flashed a 60 arm in between innings . . . has good carry on his throws combined with a quick release. His pop times ranged from 1.9-2.0 range. . ."

A 22 year old right hand hitting power bat who is also at least a league average and maybe better defensive catcher is a valuable asset particularly with such individuals being in short supply.  If the Yankees trade him as I suspect this whole thing is designed to set up, the price will be relatively high.  Last season the Yankees refused to trade Sanchez as part of a deal for a front line starting pitcher – even a controllable pitcher – at the deadline. That indicates they would wants that and more for him, perhaps two top ten pitching prospects plus Bethancourt.