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MLB 2017: Top 10 catchers

By Joshua Sadlock

Jul 16, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits an RBI double during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter Gary Sanchez (24) doubles in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter Gary Sanchez (24) doubles in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees

For two months last season, rookie catcher Gary Sanchez was literally Babe Ruth. No rookie in league history has ever been as prolific in a short time as Sanchez was last year. In only 53 games, he homered 20 times (once every 11.4 plate appearances) and doubled 12 more. In all, 32 of his 60 hits went for extra bases and he slugged .657. All of this led to a second-place finish in the AL Rookie of the Year voting despite the fact that Sanchez played in less than a third of his team’s games.

It was truly a remarkable debut for Sanchez in 2016, and there is reason to believe he can continue producing at an elite level in his first full season in the big leagues. He struck out 57 times in 53 games, which is not an alarming rate for a rookie hitter with so much power. Sanchez also drew 24 walks, showing a willingness to be patient if pitchers are unwilling to challenge him. He did struggle slightly in September, batting .225/.314/.520 in 28 games. Pitchers will eventually figure him out, but Sanchez still hit nine home runs while slumping to end the year.

The player who batted .389/.458/.832 in August is not the real Gary Sanchez, but neither is the slumping rookie of September. In 2017, Sanchez will fall somewhere in the middle of those two batting lines with plenty of power. It would not come as a surprise to see him drive out 35-40 balls next season.

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