Yolmer Sanchez has hit his way into starting duties for the White Sox. But, can fantasy owners consider him a deep league waiver wire?
The White Sox came into the 2017 season with their eyes towards a rebuilding effort. They currently sit four games under .500. but remain a scrappy team nonetheless. While they lack top end fantasy talent, they do have a few intriguing fantasy pieces. One of the more interesting emergences, has been that from Yolmer Sanchez.
Yolmer Sanchez, or the artist formerly known as ‘Carlos”, entered the 2017 season battling it out for a utility man job for the White Sox. He found himself in limbo after three underwhelming stints with the club. He made the team out of the spring but did not look to have a steady avenue for at-bats. Fortunately for him, due to injuries and ineffectiveness from the middle of the White Sox’ infield, he has amassed 124 plate appearances so far in 2017.
Sanchez never lit up the minors, .284 career hitter, but did catch some eyes with his decent speed numbers and defense. Even though the speed never translated and the bat lagged behind too, Sanchez is swinging the bat better than ever right now for Chicago. Over the last two weeks, he has posted a .298/1 HR/7 RBI/1 SB/9 R/.716 OPS line.
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He has not only overtaken Tyler Saladino for starting duties at second base, manager Rick Renteria, is even slotting him atop the lineup. On the season, he now owns a .298/2 HR/13 RBI/2 SB/.754 OPS line.
Digging further into his batted ball data, it is easy to see why he is doing so well. He is posting 25% LD, 47% GB,28% FB, 63% Med and 18% Hard contact rates.
The LD rate is a 4% increase from 2016, while his Med contact rate is a career high. Also, take into account that he is spraying the ball to all fields, 36% Pul/33% Cent/32% Oppo rates, and owners can see some reasons to be excited.
He will not provide much power wise, his career high is eight, and the speed could use some work as he has already been thrown out four out of six tries trying to steal. But, with him squaring the ball up better than ever, a cozy home ballpark and now seeing time at the top of the lineup, there is definitely some fantasy intrigue here.
Next: Fantasy Baseball Week 9: Why are these hitters still on the waiver wire?
Yolmer Sanchez is not a world beater by any means. He is not going to win anyone their league, but he is a nice deep league MI or UTIL add as he can provide decent AVG and counting stats numbers. Give him a closer look.