Gary Sanchez is Making the Right Call by Skipping the Home Run Derby

New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is one of the streakiest players in baseball, but when he is hot, there is no one who is more prolific at the plate than he is. He took the league by storm as a rookie, clobbering 20 home runs in 53 games, and he has started this season on that same pace, hitting 23 homers in 63 games.

Sanchez's swing is extremely delicate as displayed by his recent cold stretch (4-for-30 over seven games), and by electing to skip the Home Run Derby, he may just be saving his season.

Sanchez would be a threat to win the competition, and we've seen him demolish the ball at the Derby in seasons past. But the repetition of a swing that is designed to launch every baseball would throw him off his game and tamper with the second half of his resurgent season.

Instead, he's making the right decision by opting to focus on the second half of the season. And besides, we'll still get to see The Kraken at the All-Star game, where he'll be representing the American League behind the plate.

Players of the past have complained about the derby changing their swings, and Sanchez's teammate Aaron Judge has said he is unsure if he will ever compete in the derby again because of the toll it took on his swing.

When you have one of the most delicate swings in baseball, one where a slight change can alter your success at the plate, the Home Run Derby is not a smart decision, and Sanchez skipping it is wise for all parties. The Yanks No. 1 priority is making it to the World Series, so any thing that could hinder their chances at doing so should be avoided at all costs.