Gary Sanchez has often been compared to Jesus Montero, and with good reason. Both are power-hitting catching prospects with defensive questions and occasional attitude problems. Both players have also raised the level of their games over the summer after a slow (by their standards) start to the season had prospectors worrying about their long-term projection. Montero’s performance has been well discussed around the blogosphere, but Sanchez’s August performance has been so ridiculous that I thought it was worthy of mention. Looking at the numbers also made me curious about how Sanchez stacks up to Montero at the same age.
In 8 August games (SSS, I know), Sanchez has put up a silly .448/.529/1.702 line with 7 home runs. This hot streak has made Sanchez’s previously pedestrian season numbers look more impressive. While his .253 BA and .336 OBP are well below his standards from 2010, his 17 home runs are as many as Montero hit over an entire season at the same level and age as Sanchez during the 2008 season.
Sanchez’s home run power may be exceeding that of Montero at the same age, but he has not done as well as Montero in some other areas. Strikeouts in particular have been a problem for Sanchez this year, with 93 in 81 games. Montero had 83 strikeouts in 132 games, showing that this contact tool was probably ahead of Sanchez’s at the same age. Further evidence of this difference can be demonstrated by the disparity in batting average, as Montero batted .326 (it’s possibly BABIP luck could play a role here too, as Sanchez’s is .311 compared to Montero’s .362).
However, in Sanchez’s favor, he is one walk short of Montero’s season total for 2008, possibly indicative of better plate discipline at the same age. It is by no means elite plate discipline, but it also shows that Sanchez is not hacking at everything.
It’s certainly not reasonable to put Sanchez in Montero’s class yet, but it is worthy of note that at the same age, Sanchez will likely end the season with more homers and walks than Montero did in 2008, albeit with a much lower batting average. Sanchez also comes with a lot of the same defensive questions as Montero, though scouts still are more bullish on his ability to stick at catcher long term. Sanchez’s low BA and high strikeout rate are certainly causes for concern going forward, but the home run power and ability to draw a walk at 18 in full season ball is certainly encouraging to see. It will be interesting to see how Sanchez ends the season, and if he continues to hit well, he could end up with a lofty ranking (despite being dropped down many lists midseason due to pedestrian numbers, defense, and makeup issues). Montero of course was able to maintain his beastly offensive performance at the higher levels, which will be the next step for Sanchez if he is able to finish 2011 strong.
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7 Responses to Gary Sanchez enters beast mode
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TIQ IQ
I’ve seen quite a bit written abut Montero’s defensively problems — foot work, throwing, framing pitches, etc. — but little or nothing about his game calling and relationships with the pitching staff. I haven’t really kept up on Sanchez at all. Do you have anything regarding these issues? Do they even get to call the pitches? Typically at what point to the managers let them make the pitch selection?
There is next to nothing to go off of when it comes to game calling, and pitcher catcher relationships in the minors. Stats don’t exist for it, and no manager is going to bash a prospect like that in the open. So unless you have the chance to watch every inning, every game, there is almost no way to know.
Managers in college call every pitch from the dugout. In the minors catchers call the game from rookie ball on I believe. In fact one thing that takes catchers coming from college the longest to get is learning to call games on their own, it’s one of the reasons the Nats move Harper to the outfield.
I’m not sure about pitch calling, but his throwing has been fine from what I remember. I think his major problem has been passed balls, which could be the result of poor footwork (and could be correctable).
Depends on what you mean by throwing. He has a very strong arm, but he has a very slow delivery, which is why he gives up so many stolen bases. In fact I believe he has given up more steals over the last 2 seasons than any catcher in triple A.
In fact his passed ball rate is way down this season, but his caught stealing isn’t much better.
All his problems stem from being so huge. You may be able to correct his problems to some degree with technique, but for the most part he will always struggle. When you watch him play he is noticeably big, in a way you don’t notice with a guy like Wieters.
The catching position is bright for the Yankees Montero, Sanchez, Romine, Murphy (pending if he stays at catcher or corner outfield) and Tejeda, who is holding his own
Eric, what’s Murphy’s statues and do you do feel that Sanchez is going stick behind the plate or do you see the Yankees moving him to first base one day, with Romine or Montero being the everyday catchers (minus any trades) for the future?
Sanchez is a guy who will stick at catcher. He may not be defensively sound, but body wise he isn’t enormous like Montero. If any of them move off of catcher it’s Montero, he’s all but a guarantee to not stick at catcher from what I’ve seen. He should be able to stay there in some capacity for a couple of seasons, but his eventual everyday spot is either firstbase (after Teixeira leaves), or most likely DH. Murphy may also move off of catcher at some point, but all reports are his defense has improved this year by quite a bit. I think if he moves off his likely landing spot is 3rd base, though outfield could be a choice if someone fills that spot by then. The most likely everyday catcher of the group is Romine. The Yankees will do everything they can for either Sanchez, or Montero to be the everyday catcher though, because their bats will play all-star level behind the plate. Romine’s will simply make him major league average, though his defense should always be superior.