Gary Sanchez

Position: C
Level: Triple-A
Affiliate: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
League:
Age: 23
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 230
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: Signed as a non-drafted free agent (J2) on July 2, 2009 (NYY)

Prospect Spotlight

The Potential Tools: 70 arm, 60 power, 50 glove

Strengths: Strength throughout body; plus-plus arm; quick release and premium arm strength; will throw out runners at a high rate; plus bat speed; natural leverage in swing; plus-plus raw power; game power utility is pull oriented; average barrel control through hitting zone; glove has shown improvements; framing skills on the corners.

Weaknesses: Below-average athleticism; glove is still unrefined; blocking and overall receiving still not polished; footwork can be rushed altering accuracy; glove could fall short of projection and play below average; well below average run; overly aggressive approach; below-average hit tool projection; will swing and miss against velocity and spin; lacks neurological aspect to pick up spin; power utility could fall short due to below-average hit tool utility.

Role Ceiling: 50; major league regular at catcher.

Risk: Low; high-minors catcher with no projection — he is what he is; a major league contributor.

Summary: It’s been an interesting development timeline for the Yankees catcher over the past few years. He has always been praised for his plus-plus arm and raw power, but at the same time, there has been concern that his approach and receiving skills aren’t coming along as well as many had hoped. Over the course of his minor league career, Sanchez has displayed that power and arm, but year after year, he continues to get questioned on whether he’ll ever improve enough behind the plate to be an everyday catcher. Sanchez is still ultra-aggressive at the plate, and with his pre-swing hand hitch, he has limited barrel control. Sanchez’ hit tool will play below average but even at that, his power would play enough as a regular. If Sanchez can improve his blocking and overall receiving skills at Triple A, he might be able to play catcher for a short time. His power and plus-plus arm behind the plate is a profile Yankees fans will love.