Fansided

MLB predictions: Top 10 storylines

By Joshua Sadlock

Nov 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs fans celebrate and wave W flags after game six of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs fans celebrate and wave W flags after game six of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
Sep 22, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) sides safe into third base during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) sides safe into third base during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

8. What can Gary Sanchez do for an encore?

Not even the great Babe Ruth can match what Gary Sanchez did in his rookie year for the New York Yankees. Sanchez hit 20 home runs in only 53 games and 201 official at-bats. August was his first full month in the big leagues, and the catcher batted .389/.458/.832 with 11 home runs and 21 RBIs in 24 games. Sanchez eventually cooled in September, but still hit nine more home runs, albeit with slightly less contact.

The big leagues will get a chance to digest Sanchez over the course of 162 games this season. It was obvious in September that pitchers were able to begin finding holes in his swing. He struck out 35 times in 102 at-bats, but still slugged .520. Given over 600 trips to the plate, Sanchez’s average will slide back down closer to .270, but he will still provide tremendous power.

Sanchez could have an outside shot at 40 home runs in his first full season in the big leagues. He has a consistent swing, and did not rack up strikeouts in the minor leagues. Obviously, few catchers have ever slugged close to .700 for a full season, but Sanchez looks like a different type of player than we have seen in the past. He will hit more than a few moonshots this season.

On a similar note, Kyle Schwarber will finally play his first full season in the big leagues. Schwarber played in only two games in 2016 before injuring his knee in a collision in the outfield. He has a .242/.353/.479 line with 16 home runs in 71 regular-season games. In the postseason, however, Schwarber is a .364/.451/.727 hitter with five home runs and 11 RBIs. He is already an October legend, and his career is still just getting started.

Home/MLB