The Milwaukee Brewers have recently been heavily engaged in the free agent market. They signed RHP Jakob Junis to a one year, $7 million contract that includes an option for 2025. Now, for the same guaranteed money and a mutual 2025 option, they have added a massive home run threat to their lineup.
Catcher/designated hitter Gary Sanchez has signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.
31 year old Gary Sanchez has been a power threat his entire career. In 2016, his rookie season, he belted 20 home runs in 53 games and finished second in rookie of the year voting. The following season he hit 33 long balls, was an All-Star, and then subsequently went on to hit 34 home runs in 2019. Aside from the shortened 2020 season, where he hit 10 balls over the wall, he has hit at minimum 16 home runs as a primary catcher/designated hitter.
Defensively there have been lots of improvements in Gary Sanchez’s game.
Throughout his nine year career Sanchez’s biggest weakness was viewed as his defense behind the dish. That has changed over the past two seasons and he has seen significant improvements in pitch framing, pop time, caught stealing numbers above average, and at calling games. Last year he received a ton of credit for helping Blake Snell pitch to his Cy Young potential.
How do the Brewers plan on utilizing Gary Sanchez?
Sanchez figures to add some pop to the middle of the Brewers lineup. He will also be joining talented catcher William Contreras which several leader boards have Contreras ranked inside the top five for his position. Utilizing these two both behind the dish and at designated hitter should keep them both fresh while keeping their bats in the lineup.
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