Yankees: Successful season lies with the production Gary Sanchez

The Yankees had a solid 2018 season, but it ultimately ended in heartbreak to the eventual World Series Champion Red Sox. However, it could have been much different with an improved performance from Gary Sanchez.

This will be year number four with the Yankees for Gary Sanchez. After a disastrous 2018, this upcoming season could signify a monumental comeback. His .186 batting average in ’18 ranked dead last among catchers that had at least 350 PA, according to FanGraphs.

Despite the atrocious average, when Sanchez did get wood on the ball, it was with power. For instance, 30 percent of his total hits last season left the ballpark. To add to that, over half (35) of his total hits (60) were for extra bases.

Another thing to note is that Sanchez only played in a little over half of the season. Lingering injuries to his groin plagued him to miss a total of 73 games — at one point including three contests in a span of 61. The Yankees were 47-26 with Sanchez on the injured list, and 53-36 with him suited up.

To date, Yankees fans still have yet to see a full, healthy campaign from Sanchez. With all he accomplished in both 2016 and 2017, imagine how deadly The Kraken would have been had he avoided lengthy trips to the then DL. Over the last three seasons, Sanchez has only appeared in 264 games out of a possible 486.

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The injuries, unfortunately, didn’t stop once the 2018 season was complete, as Sanchez underwent surgery on his left shoulder. Expected to be fully fit for Opening Day, behind him on the depth chart remain Austin Romine (coming off a career year) and Kyle Higashioka.

Defensively, there is still the overwhelming issue that has stood out for the duration of his young career — passed balls. If Sanchez was healthy for all 162 games last season, keeping with his pace of 18 passed balls in 89 games, he projected to commit 33 passed balls. That would have been the most passed balls since 1965 when J.C. Martin allowed the same amount.

Despite the increasing amount of PBs, runners are still nervous to run on his arm. The Kraken was tied with Jonathan Lucroy of the A’s for sixth in MLB with a caught stealing percentage of 30% (minimum 650 innings in 2018).

With the 2019 campaign about to begin, all eyes will be on Sanchez. Last year could have been a fluke, and it’s entirely possible Sanchez regains the form that saw him win an AL Silver Slugger in 2017 — and now, setting him up for potential Comeback Player of the Year accolades.

The Yankees are going to need that type of Sanchez to dethrone the Red Sox. Come Opening Day, unless something extreme happens during camp, the 25-man roster is set. With key additions to the infield, bullpen and starting rotation, it’s all on Sanchez to improve.

Sanchez will be behind the plate and most likely slotted somewhere after Aaron Judge, Miguel Andujar and Giancarlo Stanton in the batting order. Last season, Sanchez most frequently hit fifth (172 times). And so, Sanchez was able to drive in 53 runs — 17 of them being Stanton and Judge.

If there is any way to look at 2018 in a positive light, it’s that it really can’t get much worse for El Gary. The only way from here is up for Sanchez, and in conjunction, the New York Yankees.