Yolmer Sanchez

Despite being awarded the AL Gold Glove at second base in 2019, the White Sox parted ways with Sanchez instead of keeping him on as a utility infielder. Sanchez has been a regular for the last three seasons, averaging .253 with 7.3 homers and nine steals, well below par in today's offensive landscape. He's reached double digits in homers once (12 in 2017) and steals once (14 in 2018). Last season, he managed just two long balls and five swipes. Everything about Sanchez's profile is negative except his glove. His plate skills are poor while his average exit velocity is low. Sanchez's defensive chops will keep him employed, but he's nothing more than mono-league, endgame fodder.

Sanchez is a starting infielder mostly because of his glove. The glove is as above average as his overall offensive output is below average. He does get you some steals and can provide enough in the counting categories to make a difference in AL-only leagues. However, he has struggled to get on base at a high rate (career .293 OBP) and does not make a lot of hard contact (career 25% Hard%). He lost his second-base eligibility in 2018, and his lack of offense will stick out like a sore thumb at the hot corner on draft day. It is easy to see why the White Sox are rumored to be very much involved in the Manny Machado sweepstakes. Additionally, the presence of Yoan Moncada at the keystone does not bode well for Sanchez getting his eligibility at second base back quickly in 2019 unless your league only requires one game for new eligibility.

Sanchez didn't exactly light the world on fire last season, but his development was a bright spot in what was a generally gloomy season for the rebuilding White Sox. While his walk rate wasn't great at 6.6 percent, it was more than double his 2016 mark, and Sanchez also shaved five percentage points off his strikeout rate (20.8 percent). That led to a 60-point jump in wOBA from the previous season. He was a plus defender around the infield, seeing enough time at second and third to qualify at two positions entering 2018, but Sanchez had a bottom-seven hard-hit rate among qualifiers and was caught on the basepaths more times than he was successful (8-for-17). The 25-year-old still doesn't do anything particularly well on the offensive side, but Sanchez should get a chance to build upon last season's progress with regular at-bats, and opportunity is the driving force in fantasy. Thus there is a bit of appeal here in deep settings.

Following the signings of Brett Lawrie and Jimmy Rollins to shore up the middle infield, along with the emergence of Tyler Saladino as a useful utility option, Sanchez was left off the Opening Day roster despite spending much of 2015 as the White Sox's starting second baseman. The 24-year-old split time pretty evenly between Charlotte and Chicago thereafter, but despite putting up a solid showing at Triple-A, he still was unable to translate his bat to the big leagues. The infielder could only muster a .208 batting average across 154 at-bats while compiling a rough 42:5 K:BB. Sanchez has a lot of major league experience given his age, which could help him latch onto the Opening Day roster when paired with his strong glove work and defensive versatility. On the other hand, he'll likely be relegated to a bench role until he proves he can hit big league pitchers.

Sanchez battled Micah Johnson for the White Sox’s starting second base gig in spring training, and Johnson wound up winning that competition. However, Johnson’s inconsistency in the field led to Sanchez’s recall from the minors in late May, and Sanchez stuck on the roster from that point forward. He showed off his fielding prowess in his major league stay, but his bat quickly fell off after a hot start. Sanchez has always been young for his level, and he may yet develop into a more consistent singles hitter that can play second, third and short. But his bat boasts little power, and he has never been a great base stealer. Sanchez will contend for a utility role in spring training with offseason trade acquisition Brett Lawrie expected to take over at the keystone.

Sanchez enjoyed something of a rebound year in 2014. He started at Triple-A Charlotte for the second consecutive season, and his .349 OBP earned him a September callup. He served as the club's regular second baseman for much of that final month, and there's at least a chance he could make a run at the starting job in 2015, though he'll have his work cut out for him with Emilio Bonifacio brought in over the winter. Sanchez possess virtually no power and extremely modest speed for a middle infielder, so he will derive his value from being able to put the ball in play (and then beat the ball to first base).

It looked like Sanchez was on the brink of his MLB debut in 2013 after he shot through the organization's prospect rankings in 2012. Instead, Sanchez failed to post a .300 OBP at Triple-A Charlotte. He remains young for his level, as he will not turn 22 until June, so there is still a chance he adjusts to advanced pitchers. If he does, he could be an option at second base if the team trades Gordon Beckham, but Sanchez may also fit in a utility role, depending on how the White Sox arrange their other infield options over the course of the season.

Sanchez shot up the White Sox's prospect rankings in 2012 after he hit .370 in 119 at-bats at Double-A Birmingham. He struggled in limited action at Triple-A Charlotte, but he rebounded in the Arizona Fall League, with a .735 OPS over 22 games. He has come through the system as a middle infielder, but he could be a factor at third base as well depending on how the White Sox elect to use Jeff Keppinger. His bat will play better at shortstop or second, as there is virtually no power here to speak of. Look for him to start 2013 at Triple-A Charlotte, but he could be in Chicago at some point during the season if Gordon Beckham struggles or if Keppinger disappoints.