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New York Yankees want Gary Sanchez to bat second

By Charlie O'Connor Clarke

Mar 2, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) doubles in the fourth inning in the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) doubles in the fourth inning in the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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With spring training coming to a close, New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi is starting to pencil in his Opening Day lineup.

According to a report from the Associated Press, heavy-hitting catcher Gary Sanchez will likely slot in at second for the Yankees this season.

Last year, Sanchez won the starting catcher job from Brian McCann after a successful call-up in August, when he won both Rookie and Player of the Month awards for the AL. After breaking into the lineup with his powerful bat, Sanchez finished the season as the team’s usual third hitter.

Sanchez played 53 games in 2016, hitting 20 home runs and slashing .299/.376/.657, establishing himself as one of the Yankees’ best power hitters. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer.

In spring training this year, Sanchez has started hot, with a 1.107 OPS.

Girardi has indicated that the Yankees lineup is starting to come together, with Sanchez intended to split up lefties Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury.

The Associated Press report claims Gardner is slated to continue in his leadoff role, with Sanchez, Greg Bird, Matt Holliday, and Ellsbury rounding out the top half of the batting order.

Next: Best Starting Pitchers in MLB History

The Yankees finished fourth in the AL East last year, nine games back of the first-place Boston Red Sox. The division pennant race will be crowded again in 2017, and the Yankees have a lot of young talent that could make them more competitive this season.

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