One reason each MLB team can win the World Series in 2017

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; (from left to right) Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo and center fielder Dexter Fowler and third baseman Kris Bryant and right fielder Jason Heyward celebrate during their World Series parade outside of Wrigley Field on Addison Street. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 2, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) bats against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Yankees: Gary Sanchez is still a beast

For the first time in what seems like at least 25 years, the Yankees are not really legitimate contenders for the World Series at the outset of Spring Training. Two straight offseasons with very conservative spending have shown that Brian Cashman and the front office are dead serious about seeing a prospect-fueled rebuild all the way through. Still, Gary Sanchez might have something to say about that.

Sanchez almost single-handedly pushed the Yankees into the playoffs last year. His 53 games with the Yankees will go down in history as the best small-sample size performance by a rookie in baseball history. Sanchez hit 20 home runs in only 201 official at-bats while slashing .299/.376/.657 with another 12 doubles. Overall, 32 of his 60 base hits went for extra bases.

It was an unprecedented show of power for a rookie catcher, and earned Sanchez second place in Rookie of the Year voting despite only playing for two months. Even if he cools off over a full season, Sanchez should still hit at least 35 home runs, and maybe more. Never sleep on the Yankees, especially with a catcher like this behind the plate. The next great generation of Yankee stars (and blockbuster free-agent signings) are a few years away, but this team can surprise in 2017.

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