Yankees Prospect Profiles: Catchers Anthony Seigler and Josh Breaux

Although Gary Sanchez is the backstop of the future for the New York Yankees, two catching prospects have been making some noise in the minors. 2018 draftees’ Anthony Seigler and Josh Breaux are hungry, ambitious, and just getting started.

The MLB Draft is a bit of a crapshoot for all Major League teams, including the Yankees. Organizations don’t typically select players in regards to positions of need in the farm system but draft the best overall prospects available.

Sanchez will be sticking behind home plate for a very long time in the Bronx, while Austin Romine and Kyle Higashioka provide reliable insurance behind the dish. But besides those three, the organization’s impact catching depth wasn’t very deep in regards to talent heading into the 2018 Draft

However, on June 4, 2018, that outlook changed very quickly when the Yankees selected Anthony Seigler and Josh Breaux (pronounced “Bro”) on Day 1 of the 2018 MLB Draft.

Seigler, selected 23rd overall, is a 6’0″, 200 lb catcher from Cartersville High school in Georgia. Although he was selected as a catcher by New York, the 19-year old Seigler was also an extremely talented pitcher in high school. Interestingly enough, Seigler is actually ambidextrous (he throws right-handed from behind the plate).

The Georgia native began his minor league career with the Gulf Coast League Yankees and was then later assigned to the Pulaski Yankees. Between both teams, the switch-hitter slashed .266/.379/.342 with one HR and nine RBI in 24 games. Additionally, Seigler had a 12/14 K/BB ratio, demonstrating patience at the plate for such a young hitter. Seigler’s season concluded early in 2018 with a hamstring issue and a concussion.

The Yankees then drafted Breaux in the 2nd round, 61st overall later that night. The right-handed hitter was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 36th round in 2017, but decided to return to school. New York selected the catcher out of McLennan Community College in Waco, TX.

In his first taste of professional baseball, the 6’1″, 220 lbs. Breaux was immediately assigned to Rookie Ball with the Gulf Coast League Yankees. After just three games, the 21-year old was shipped to the Staten Island Yankees. Overall, Breaux hit .269 with zero HR and 13 RBI in 30 games.

Of the two, Breaux is currently ahead offensively, especially in the power department. Although his raw power is a plus, his strikeouts are an issue. Seigler, on the other hand, is more of a contact hitter with a line drive approach.

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Seigler is way more developed behind the dish in comparison to Breaux. He’s very athletic with a great throwing arm, which is always a welcoming sight at such a young age. Breaux still needs more work and experience behind the plate. Heading into the 2019 season, MLB.com had Seigler ranked as the Yankees’ sixth-best prospect, while Breaux was situated at 15.

Seigler suffered a quad strain during Spring Training and has yet to appear in any Minor League games in 2019. However, it was reported by Brendan Kuty of NJ.com that Seigler was catching for veteran reliever Danny Farquhar in an extended Spring Training on May 10. Certainly encouraging news for both Seigler and Farquhar.

Breaux began his first full season in Low-A Charleston and has appeared in 22 games. The Texas native is off to a great start offensively, slashing .307/.344/.557 with six HR and 25 RBI with the RiverDogs. Defensively, Breaux has only thrown out three baserunners on 14 steal attempts, good for an 18% caught stealing percentage. It’s definitively something the young backstop needs to work on.

Both Seigler and Breaux are nowhere near Major League ready, and their timetables are relatively unknown at this point. However, it will be fascinating to compare both catcher’s progress throughout the Minors.