YANKEE CATCHER OF THE FUTURE FOUND!

Source: Twitter

Gary Sanchez has been on a steady decline since his debut with the Yankees in 2015. His defensive game has always been in question; actually, his knowledge of the game is also something to be desired. But, Sanchez always had his swing, until he didn't and then found himself fighting for the job that was given to him. According to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel, the Yankees have a catcher of the future within their ranks and guess what? We get to see him this spring.

Josh Breaux was a second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. The 23-year-old right hand catcher made his debut in the Yankee farm system with Gulf Coast League West and worked his way up the ranks to the Tampa Tarpons where he was activated this winter. He will be at Yankees Spring Training camp this week and according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel he is one to watch.

"Breaux popped up in the spring of 2018 at a Texas junior college by hitting 99 mph on the mound in relief, showing a 70 arm behind the plate as a catcher and flashing 70 raw power in BP. He was still pretty raw in all phases, with more pro upside as a catcher, but with real questions given the short track record, as both a catcher and hitter. His pro career has reflected that, but he has been making progress with a solid 2019 full-season debut and improving reports on his work behind the plate. A good 2021 season could get him in the conversation as the Yankees’ catcher of the future," according to NJ.com. 

The battle for catcher is not between Sanchez, former backup catcher Kyle Higashioka and now newly signed Robinson Chirinos who finished last season with the Mets, but caught for Gerrit Cole while they both played for Houston. Rather Sanchez is battling against the catchers of the future, namely, Breaux and three other Yankee prospects. According to NJ.com, "Catcher is shaping up to be a position of strength for the Yankees down on the farm. In addition to Breaux, New York is grooming: Austin Wells (first-round pick in 2020, No. 28 overall); Anthony Seigler (first-round pick in 2018, No. 23 overall) and Antonio Gomez (international free agent in 2018)." 

Recall that Sanchez was benched during the 2020 playoffs and quaffed at the move, wondering why. "In an ESPN interview, Sánchez said that he was never told why he was mostly benched in October, but that he and the Yanks had cleared the air. Cashman’s response, in part, was that he was “not sure an explanation was necessary,” since poor performance caused Sánchez to lose his job during the most crucial time of the season," reported SNY.com. 

Spring training will be a great opportunity to see the catchers of the future, with Breaux leading the list of potentials. The Yankees are grooming catchers instead of paying for them and I am hopeful this strategy works because what we have now with Sanchez is just not sustainable. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof