Gary Sanchez came into this season knowing he was on the hot seat. If the numbers don’t reflect improvement, it’s put up or pack up.
We’re almost one month into the season, the Yankees are struggling and so is Sanchez. Changes are necessary for this team and it appears manager Aaron Boone is beginning at the catcher position tonight in Baltimore.
Earlier today, in his pregame press conference, Boone said backup catcher Kyle Higashioka will receive more playing time because he’s earned it. For Sanchez, this means he’ll be getting more comfortable with the bench.
Now, we’ve been down this road before with the Yankees. Last season, Sanchez was benched because of his struggles. This season, there’s been more of the same.
Heading into tonight’s game in Baltimore, Sanchez is batting .182 and has just two hits in his last 28 at bats. Moreover, he’s struck out 10 times in that stretch.
When Sanchez is right, he’s a 450-foot home run machine waiting to happen. The problem is we have not seen that version of Sanchez since 2017 when he made the All-Star team and won the Silver Slugger award. Since then, it’s been a steady decline for him with the strikeouts piling up.
The reality of this situation for Sanchez is where the Yankees currently sit in the standings, they’re 9-13 and at the bottom of the American League East division.
Boone and the Yankees have gone above and beyond in taking up for Sanchez and supporting him during his struggles. And there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue.
You just can’t keep running out the same lineup every night and waiting for something to click. This demotion for Sanchez gives him an opportunity to work on his struggles behind the scenes. The professional in him will need to stay ready for when his number’s called. There’s plenty of season left on the calendar, the Yankees will definitely call his number again.
Right now, however, the best situation for Sanchez is on the sidelines watching. At 28 years old, if this latest benching doesn’t serve as the ultimate reality check for him, there isn’t much left to wake him up.
Meanwhile, Higashioka not only performs better with the glove and works well with the pitching staff, he’s proven himself to be a reliable bat in the lineup.
Frankly, Higashioka has earned more playing time and Sanchez has earned a spot on the bench.
Image: Gary Sanchez – Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Image: Kyle Higashioka – AP Photo / Mike Carlson
