The White Sox announced on Monday that they have designated catcher Hector Sanchez for assignment. The move helps to clear space on the roster for right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who has been recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, and fellow catcher Alex Avila, who has been activated from the 15-day disabled list.
The 26-year-old Sanchez collected eight plate appearances with the White Sox and went 1-for-7 with a walk. He signed a minor league contract with the ChiSox this winter and had his contract selected from Triple-A Charlotte upon Avila’s injury. Sanchez has seen time in the Majors in each season dating back to 2011, with all of his experience prior to 2016 coming as a member of the Giants. In 645 big league plate appearances, Sanchez is a .238/.273/.343 hitter, and he’s also caught 26 percent of opposing runners. The White Sox will have 10 days to trade, release or outright Sanchez, though any team that claims him off outright waivers would have to place him on the big league roster, as he is out of minor league options.
Hector Sanchez is a class act and a much better hitter than his .238/.273/.343 shows. When he plays regularly he’s a very good hitter, but playing part time will always affect those numbers.
My biggest concern with him is that they always said he “sat too high” as a catcher which might explain why he was always getting hit with foul tips. But also he always seemed to be getting hurt, constantly pulling up with an injury from running or something.
BUT… I tell you this… he’s a tough kid and usually played through anything. I feel like if he could get regular at-bats, he would be a very good hitting catcher. I’d like to see him in an everyday role and some patience just to see what he does. As a part time player he came up with a LOT of big time hits for The Giants.
Hope Sanchez sticks around at AAA (not like Avila or Navarro are lighting it up) but if not, he’ll find a new home. He actually had a very good at-bat with bases loaded the other day and helped get an important run. He seems to play hard and has had success in the past.
@Jay – I think you and I have the same take on the guy. He had a lot of those big at-bats for SF and I feel like he got more than walk off hit (I could be wrong but it feels that way). I am holding hope that the kid gets a chance at the majors to play every day just because I feel like he was held back because of Posey and just out of curiosity, what could he do as an everyday player.
At one point the Giants were so impressed with his bat they had him taking balls at 1B and 3B. PLUS, he’s a switch hitting catcher too!
Hector Sanchez would continue to provide an important insurance policy for the White Sox should he clear waivers this week, especially with Alex Avila’s history of injury. Despite seeing some MLB time in six different seasons, Sanchez is still a relatively young catcher at 26 years of age. Surprisingly enough, he is even younger than Kevan Smith, the other catcher on the White Sox 40-man roster who was recalled from AAA Charlotte on April 24th when Avila went on the disabled list. Smith, who turns 28 next month was set to make his MLB debut but sustained a back injury himself before seeing any big league action. He went on the D.L. two days later prompting the purchase of Sanchez’ contract from AAA. Smith will be eligible to return shortly. likely back to Chatlotte with multiple option years still available on him.
@soxcess1 do you think he will clear waivers? I guess it all depends on what other teams 25 man rosters look like because they have to add him if they pick him up and I don’t know all 25 teams well enough.
I guess even if nobody picks him up, does he still have a choice to join any other team on a minors deal if he feels like there is a better path to the majors there.
I don’t know how these guys do it. I mean moving cities while on an MLB salary is easy but moving to a new city on a minors deal must be really hard.
The sox will regret letting him go. Avila is injury prone. His father didn’t even want him in Detroit.
I don’t think it’s their intent to lose him, it’s just the procedural process for someone with as much service time as Sanchez has…. Gotta expose him to other teams. I’m sure the Sox are hoping no one claims him so that can keep him in the minors as a depth option.
Hector needs to play everyday at AAA to get the full hitting development he never got with the Giants. I think they called him up too soon and his hitting, while good in spurts, ultimately suffered.
@jmgara I think you might be right. I heard an ex MLB player make a point that a lot of average players become better players if they just get to play every day. Not saying Sanchez is average but even the best players get rusty if they don’t see real live pitching every day (like say they go on the DL) and it’s even harder for average players.
Just saw a Braves fan post that they need catching, wonder if they will claim him?
There are many teams looking for a backup catcher. My guess is he’ll be claimed
The Reds could use him with Mesoraco out for the year again.