Gary Sanchez is Tattooing Fastballs at an Absolutely Insane Level in 2019
By Sean Facey
Pitchers beware: Gary Sanchez WILL crush your fastball.
The New York Yankees backstop has orchestrated quite the turnaround on offense after a rather disappointing 2018 season thanks to his ridiculously good numbers against high heat.
Speaking of fastballs...uhh....Gary Sanchez.
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) May 16, 2019
(That's an expected SLG of 1.095, J.D. Martinez is second, 256 points behind). pic.twitter.com/BgdYNy4t1A
Sanchez has an xSLG of 1.095 against fastballs this year, more than 250 points ahead of the next closest batter.
That's more than one total base per at-bat on fastballs. The man is absolutely mashing heaters at an unprecedented rate. Pitchers would frankly be better off forgoing them altogether.
10 of Sanchez' 12 home runs this year have come off of fastballs, and 11 of his 14 hits off of the pitch have gone for extra bases.
GOODBYE GARY SANCHEZ!#YANKSonYES LIVE https://t.co/KmAiQcCdYI pic.twitter.com/gruI7RyYC1
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 15, 2019
We shouldn't be surprised, though. Sanchez has by far and away made the best contact in baseball this year. He leads the league in barrels per plate appearance and xSLG, and his xwOBA is second only to Cody Bellinger.
He's putting his haters to sleep with absolutely vicious contact and is once again reasserting himself as the game's premier offensive talents at the catcher position. Love to see those who had faith in the Sanchize be rewarded.