Yankees: Five players who are on track to make this year’s All-Star Game

We’re just under two months away from this year’s Midsummer’s Classic in Cleveland but that doesn’t mean its too early to start making roster predictions. So far the Yankees have a handful of players who are making a strong case to earn a selection on the AL squad. Which of them will earn the nod?

Despite having 13 players currently on the injured list the Yankees record sits at 26-16, just a .5 game behind the first place Rays. Many of their top contributors are still on the IL including former All-Stars Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, Dellin Betances, and Giancarlo Stanton. 

Heading into the season I’m sure a lot us expected them to add another All-Star appearance to their collective list of accolades but they’ve already missed too much time so that’s not going to happen. That being said there’s still a number of healthy Yankees who are in the running to represent the pinstripes come July 9th. Here they are:

C Gary Sanchez, 1x All-Star

Numbers: .263 BA, 12 HR, 22 RBI, 15 R, .663 SLG%, 1.009 OPS

Sanchez made his first All-Star appearance back in 2017 in Miami as a reserve and this season he’s the heavy favorite to start the game for the first time in his career. After an injury-plagued season in 2018 that definitely prevented him from putting up his usual numbers Sanchez is back to being the best offensive catcher in baseball.

He leads all catchers with 12 HR despite only appearing in 26 games and has an OPS of 1.009. Sanchez continues to barrel up to the ball better than any hitter in baseball as 8 of his 12 homers have left the ballpark at 110 mph or harder while six of them have traveled at least 425 ft.

On the defensive side, Sanchez has been much better now that his left shoulder is 100% healthy. He’s also cut down on the passed balls and does a great job of controlling the running game and managing a pitching staff that’s one of the toughest to catch in the game. With all the injuries the Yankees have suffered they needed Sanchez to step up and carry the load more than anyone and he’s done just that. He’s a shoo-in to start this year’s game for the first of many times.