Yankees: Despite struggles, don’t ever give up on Gary Sanchez

For much of the season, Yankees All-Star catcher Gary Sanchez has struggled to put up the kind of numbers we’re accustomed seeing from him. Despite his slow start, it’s way too early for fans to give up on Sanchez. He’s going to be just fine.

It’s fair to say that up this point the 2018 season has been a disappointing one for Sanchez. Especially on a personal level because as a team the Yankees are arguably the best in baseball right now. Over the past month, Sanchez has been in the midst of the worst slump of his career and it’s been hard to comprehend.

Any true Yankees fan and knowledgeable baseball fan knows that Sanchez is better than this. Since he burst onto the scene back in August of 2016 there hasn’t been a better offensive catcher in the game. He’s hit 67 home runs in only 238 career games and coming into this season many around the game believed Sanchez was the most complete hitter in this powerhouse Yankees lineup.

Right now it might be tough to still make that claim with Sanchez hitting under .200 at .197 but make no mistake about it. Better days are ahead for El Gary. His average isn’t good right now, but lately, he’s shown signs of a breakout and Wednesday night Sanchez reminded everybody why they shouldn’t give up on.

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His game-tying, 439 ft blast to tie the game off Alex Colome was vintage Sanchez and helped the Yankees complete a huge comeback victory capped off by Giancarlo Stanton’s walk-off home run. Sanchez entered the at-bat 7 for his last 70, but with one swing he shut up his doubters at least for a day.

Even though Sanchez’s average is well below where it should be let’s not forget about the power numbers he has still put up this season. His 14 home runs and 41 RBIs are the best in baseball by an everyday catcher by a long shot. He’s still projected to hit 32 home runs and drive in 94 runs and there’s potential for more once he get’s hot.

It’s only a matter of time before that happens and once he does everyone pleading for Sanchez to be benched, traded or sent down will quickly quiet down.

In New York, you’re always going to have fans who go to extremes when one of their star players struggles to this extent. Especially when Sanchez’s backup Austin Romine has played so well.

Nothing against Austin Romine but he was a .220 hitter coming into this season and for anyone to think he’s a better everyday option than Sanchez is simply wrong. Sure he might be better defensively, but Sanchez is no slouch himself especially at controlling the running game with his cannon for an arm.

Before this season Sanchez was off to one of the best starts to a career we’ve ever seen from a catcher since Mike Piazza.

That’s how good he is and before the season is said and done the numbers will be there and he’ still be on track to become one of the best backstops to ever swing a bat. Some fans might be down on Sanchez and it’s understandable, but there is no doubt in my mind that this will be just a blip on an otherwise great career.

Players like Gary Sanchez don’t come around very often at the catcher position. Yes, he’s underwhelmed a bit this season and I’m sure Sanchez himself would admit that. However, the Yankees are 49-22 and he has definitely played a role in their success despite his struggles.

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Even the best always go through that one slump that will go down as the worst of their career. We saw it with Didi earlier in the season and look how he has bounced back. Sanchez will do the same and once he does watch out. The best is yet to come for El Gary and anyone who gave up on him will soon be reminded why they should never do so again.