Rookie Gary Sanchez just did something no other Yankee ever accomplished
The Yankees’ youth movement is rolling right along, and so is rookie catcher Gary Sanchez.
Sanchez, 23, was named the AL Player of the Week on Monday and celebrated by swatting two more homers in a 7-5 loss to the Mariners. By doing so, Sanchez entered uncharted territory for a franchise that has had more than its fair share of sluggers.
If there was a higher league, @ElGarySanchez would be promoted to it. https://t.co/e5dX1UglwO #LetsGoYankees pic.twitter.com/ZxhnlrPf2f
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 23, 2016
Through these first 19 games, Sanchez is hitting .385/.429/.831 with five doubles and 15 RBI. Through a combination of his hitting and his ability to make an immediate connection with the pitching staff, Sanchez has displaced Brian McCann as the Yankees’ starting catcher and has everyone in the organization excited for the future.
Check out a few more of his early accomplishments:
Only 2 @Yankees in history have recorded 50+ total bases in their first 19 games.
— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) August 23, 2016
DiMaggio & Sanchez.
h/t @ktsharp pic.twitter.com/Gg6s9dbviV
2nd hardest hit by a Yankee this season?
— #Statcast (@statcast) August 23, 2016
Last night's single, courtesy of scorching hot @ElGarySanchez. #Statcast pic.twitter.com/PKVR6On2Dn
Gary Sanchez becomes 1st #Yankees catcher since Thurman Munson in 1976 to win AL Player of Week; #Dbacks Robbie Ray wins NL award.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 22, 2016
Sure, Sanchez will cool off and will be tested by a slump, but he’s already shown that he is capable of meeting — or even exceeding — the lofty expectations that were attached to him.