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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players under 25

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on June 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 26: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park on June 26, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 11: Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees connects on a 3-run home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on June 11, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 11: Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees connects on a 3-run home run in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on June 11, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

6. Gary Sanchez

The New York Yankees have two of the most exciting young hitters in baseball in Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez. Judge already turned 25 back in April, but Sanchez is 24 until early December. He is the best young catcher in baseball. Sanchez has proven that what he did in August and September last year was hardly a fluke.

As a rookie in 2016, Sanchez hit 20 home runs in only 201 at-bats and 53 games. That was enough to earn him a second-place finish in the AL Rookie of the Year vote. A biceps injury in his throwing arm kept Sanchez out for parts of April and May, but missing time has not slowed his bat. He hit nine home runs and drove in 27 in June with a .307/.390/.659 line. Sanchez probably should be starting behind the plate in the All-Star Game if not for those pesky Kansas City Royals fans and their love for Salvador Perez. The Yankees catcher will have to settle for a reserve role.

Coming up through the minor leagues, Sanchez had a reputation for immaturity, but he has drawn high marks for his leadership and willingness to work on his defense at the MLB level. He has a cannon for an arm and is throwing out runners at a much better rate than the league average. The only reason for the Yankees to consider moving Sanchez out from behind the plate is to protect his offensive value over a long career. With Judge and Sanchez mashing, the Yankees are well on their way to building a lineup that will ravage the AL East for years to come.

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