Gary Sánchez is one of the most polarizing players in Major League Baseball, particularly when it comes to his defensive abilities as a catcher. On one hand, Sánchez is known for his powerful bat and ability to hit home runs, making him a valuable offensive asset.
However, his defensive performance has been a source of criticism and debate among fans, analysts, and even his own team. The question of whether Gary Sánchez is a good defender is one that has been asked time and time again.
In this article, we will explore Sánchez’s defensive statistics, skills, and performance to try to answer this question once and for all.
Defensive Statistics
When evaluating a catcher’s defensive performance, there are several key statistics that are commonly used.
One of the most popular metrics is Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), which measures the number of runs a player has saved or cost his team through his defensive performance.
A positive DRS indicates that a player is better than average at his position, while a negative DRS indicates that a player is worse than average. Other important statistics for catchers include passed balls, wild pitches, and caught stealing percentage.
In 2021, Gary Sánchez had a DRS of -10, meaning that he cost his team 10 runs with his defense alone. His career DRS is -9, indicating that his subpar defensive performance has been a consistent issue throughout his time in the major leagues.
Sánchez’s passed balls and wild pitches have also been a concern, as he had 6 passed balls and allowed 60 wild pitches in 2021.
When compared to other catchers in the league, Sánchez’s defensive statistics are generally below average. According to FanGraphs, his DRS in 2021 was the worst among all catchers who played at least 500 innings, and his passed balls and wild pitches were among the highest.
While his caught stealing percentage was a respectable 31%, this statistic alone is not enough to outweigh his overall defensive struggles.
Defensive Skills
In addition to looking at statistics, it’s also important to evaluate a catcher’s specific defensive skills to determine how effective they are on the field.
Blocking pitches is an essential part of a catcher’s job, as it helps prevent runners from advancing and keeps balls from getting past the catcher. Framing pitches involves subtly moving the glove to make borderline pitches look like strikes to the umpire, which can be a significant advantage for the pitcher.
Throwing out runners requires a strong and accurate arm, while controlling the running game involves working with the pitcher to keep runners from stealing bases.
When looking at Gary Sánchez’s performance in these areas, there are some concerns. While he has shown flashes of defensive skill at times, particularly with his arm strength and ability to throw out runners, he has also struggled with blocking pitches and framing pitches. In 2021, he allowed 60 wild pitches and had a passed ball rate of 5.5%, which are both higher than the league averages.
There have also been concerns about Sánchez’s pitch framing ability, as some reports suggest he may not be maximizing his skills in this area.
Additionally, there have been changes in the Yankees’ defensive strategy that may have impacted Sánchez’s performance, including shifts in positioning and pitch selection.
Injuries may also be a factor in Sánchez’s defensive struggles. He has dealt with several injuries throughout his career, including shoulder and groin injuries, which may have affected his mobility behind the plate.
Overall, while Sánchez has some strengths as a defender, there are also clear weaknesses in his game that need to be addressed.
Improvements in blocking and framing pitches, as well as a more consistent approach to controlling the running game, could help make him a more effective defender in the future.
Comparison to Other Catchers
When comparing Gary Sánchez’s defensive performance to other catchers in the league, the results are not particularly encouraging.
According to FanGraphs, Sánchez’s 2021 DRS of -10 was the worst among all catchers who played at least 500 innings. Additionally, his passed ball rate of 5.5% was higher than the league average of 2.9%, while his caught stealing percentage of 31% was just slightly above average.
When looking at more advanced defensive metrics, Sánchez’s numbers are similarly concerning. His Defensive Runs Above Average (DEF) of -8.7 ranked 98th out of 100 catchers in 2021, according to Baseball Prospectus.
His framing numbers are also below average, with a Framing Runs Above Average (FRAA) of -1.8, indicating that he may be costing his pitchers valuable strikes.
In terms of specific defensive skills, Sánchez’s strengths are largely limited to his arm strength and ability to throw out runners. However, when it comes to blocking pitches, framing pitches, and controlling the running game, he falls short of many of his peers.
Overall, when compared to other catchers in the league, Gary Sánchez’s defensive performance is below average.
While he has some strengths as a defender, particularly in terms of throwing out runners, his weaknesses in areas such as blocking and framing pitches are significant enough to outweigh these strengths.
If he hopes to improve his overall defensive performance and reputation, Sánchez will need to work on shoring up these weaknesses and becoming a more well-rounded defender.
Comparison of Gary Sánchez’s Defensive Statistics
| Defensive Statistic | Gary Sánchez (2021) | League Average (2021) | Other Top Catchers (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defensive Runs Saved | -10 | 0 | J.T. Realmuto (+14) |
| Passed Balls | 6 | 3 | Yasmani Grandal (7) |
| Wild Pitches | 60 | 44 | Willson Contreras (50) |
| Caught Stealing % | 23% | 27% | Omar Narváez (50%) |
This table shows how Sánchez’s defensive statistics compare to both the league average and other top catchers in the league in 2021.
It highlights some areas where Sánchez struggles, such as his negative DRS and higher number of passed balls, and shows how his caught stealing percentage is slightly below the league average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a catcher be a good defender even if they don’t have good offensive skills?
Yes, a catcher can be a good defender even if they don’t have good offensive skills. In fact, defense is often considered the most important aspect of a catcher’s game, as they are responsible for working with pitchers and controlling the game from behind the plate.
Are there any catchers who are known primarily for their defensive skills?
Yes, there are many catchers who are known primarily for their defensive skills. Some examples include Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals, who has won nine Gold Gloves for his defense, and Tucker Barnhart of the Detroit Tigers, who won a Gold Glove in 2017.
Can a catcher’s defensive performance be affected by the pitchers they work with?
Yes, a catcher’s defensive performance can be affected by the pitchers they work with. Catchers and pitchers need to have good communication and work well together in order to be effective, and a catcher who is working with unfamiliar pitchers or struggling to establish a good rapport with them may have more difficulty performing well defensively.
How do defensive metrics like DRS and FRAA work?
Defensive metrics like DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) and FRAA (Framing Runs Above Average) attempt to measure a player’s defensive performance in various areas of the game. DRS is calculated based on a player’s ability to make plays in the field and prevent runs from being scored, while FRAA measures a catcher’s ability to get strikes called on borderline pitches. These metrics are based on advanced statistical models and are meant to provide a more nuanced view of a player’s defensive performance than traditional statistics like fielding percentage.
To Recap
Based on a review of Gary Sánchez’s defensive statistics, skills, and performance compared to other catchers in the league, it is difficult to argue that he is a good defender.
While he has some strengths in terms of his arm strength and ability to throw out runners, his weaknesses in areas such as blocking pitches, framing pitches, and controlling the running game are significant enough to outweigh these strengths.
While there may be factors such as injuries or changes in defensive strategy that have contributed to Sánchez’s struggles, the overall evidence suggests that he has work to do in order to become a more effective defender.
Improvements in areas such as pitch framing and blocking, as well as a more consistent approach to controlling the running game, could help him improve his overall defensive performance.
Overall, while Sánchez has some offensive skills that make him a valuable player for the Yankees, his defensive weaknesses are a significant concern and something that will need to be addressed if he hopes to be a well-rounded and effective catcher in the future.
