Yankees: Predicting statistical leaders for the 2018 season

Batting Average: Gary Sanchez

The pick here is Sanchez because he is the best pure hitter on the team. He has the talent to end up leading in home runs and RBI as well, but because of his position, I don’t think he’ll get as many at-bats to hang with the likes of Judge and Stanton. In 177 career games, Sanchez is already a .283 hitter with 53 HR and 132 RBI. That’s how great he’s been to start his career.

With Judge and Stanton in front of him, he’ll be able to fall under the radar throughout the season and that will benefit him both mentally and physically. Batting behind them and in front of guys like Didi and Bird (if he’s ever healthy) will lead to a ton of at-bats throughout the year where there’s no place to put him. Pitchers will be forced to attack him and if they make a mistake Sanchez will make them pay.

If there’s one weakness to his offensive game that we’ve seen early in his career it would be chasing breaking balls low and away against righties. However, his plate discipline has already improved and it will continue to get better. If he can cut down on the chasing that will help him raise that average and potentially hit over .300.

One reason why teammate CC Sabathia said Sanchez reminds him of a “young Manny Ramirez” is that he covers every inch of the strike zone and he’s someone who uses the whole field. He has as much power as anybody in this Yankee lineup but he also knows how to cut down on his swing and take a ball the other way instead of trying to pull it 500 ft.

I truly believe this is the year we could see Sanchez win an MVP. His offensive numbers are going to be among the best in the game and the fact that he plays such a demanding position will help his cause. This guy has all the tools you could ask for in a player and the crazy thing is the best is yet to come.