Gary Sanchez’s status with the Yankees has shifted dramatically.
It’s been about six weeks since the Yankees demoted Gary Sanchez to the bench.
Sanchez made the move a month into what was shaping up to be a brutal regular season. Sanchez has since reclaimed his starting position. And, while Sanchez’s power and consistency at the plate from 2016, 2017 and at times in 2019 haven’t fully returned, Sanchez is now significantly lower on the Yankees’ list of concerns.
Sanchez has five doubles, four home runs, and an OPS of.781 in 26 games since Aaron Boone described the team’s catching situation as “day-to-day” and Kyle Higashioka “earned more playing time.” He’s also struck out 32 times, but the Yankees are willing to overlook that if he produces.
Sanchez stated that simplifying his approach at the plate has aided in his recovery.
Due to his epic struggles with the pitch a year ago, teams have thrown him more fastballs than ever before.
Higashioka’s batting average has plummeted. Higashioka is 6-for-51 with three extra-base hits and an OPS of.426 following a two-hit game on April 27.
The Yankees will see two former starting pitchers against the Twins, with Michael Pineda scheduled to face Jordan Montgomery on Tuesday at Target Field and J.A. Happ scheduled to face Jordan Montgomery on Thursday, with the Yankees yet to announce a starter.
The Twins, who were expected to contend in the AL Central this season, have been one of the biggest disappointments in baseball, currently tied for last place in the division with the Tigers.
If Minnesota sells at the deadline, both pitchers may be dealt. Happ has struggled, posting the worst ERA of his career with a 5.61 ERA.
Oswald Peraza, one of the Yankees’ top five prospects, announced his promotion to Double-A Somerset on Instagram Monday. The shortstop, who turns 21 this month, was the Yankees’ youngest player in camp this spring.
Peraza has a team-best.917 OPS in 127 plate appearances with High-A Hudson Valley, and his defense hasn’t disappointed.
According to Boone, Peraza “looks like a guy who’s going to be an everyday shortstop in this league” in March.
Peraza was signed as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2016 and split the 2019 season between Class-A Staten Island and Class-A Charleston before missing last season due to the minor league season being canceled due to COVID-19.
