For the last three years, all of the talk surrounding young Mets catching prospects started and ended with Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki, and for good reason. Now that both have graduated onto bigger and better things in the major leagues, you can forget about exciting minor league backstops now, right?
Enter Ali Sanchez.
#15 C Ali Sanchez
Ht: 6’0″ Wt: 175 Age: 1/20/1997 (19)
2015 Level: Rookie Gulf Coast League Mets, Rookie Kingsport Mets
Statistics: 49 G, 188 PA, 173 AB, 6 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 20 RBI, 12/28 BB/K, 2 SB, .272/.330/.306
The Mets pulled the trigger on Sanchez in July of 2013, during the international free agent signing period, which also produced shortstop Luis Carpio, who hit .304 for Kingsport (R) last season. Sanchez had been ranked as the 25th best foreign prospect available, and the Mets subsequently gave him $690,000 upon signing. He headed to the Mets’ Dominican Summer League affiliate to begin his professional career, and impressed in his first 50 games, hitting .303 with three home runs and 24 runs batted in. Sanchez was also named as a DSL mid-season all-star for his efforts.
In 2015, the young Venezuelan made his stateside debut in the Gulf Coast League in Port St. Lucie, and got off to a hot start under the Florida sun. Sanchez hit over .300 through August 12, adding five three-hit games along the way. His average tapered off a bit after that point, but he was still rewarded with a late season promotion to Kingsport, playing in three games and recording two hits.
The first thing that is usually noted in scouting reports on Sanchez is his skills behind the plate. Ben Badler of Baseball America touted his arm and high IQ in his original report, along with his receiving skills, framing pitches and handling balls in the dirt. As for the bat, Badler says Sanchez approaches his plate appearances with a contact mentality, which is evident in his statistics; he’s hit only three home runs in nearly 350 at bats, but his career average has been solid at .287. Sanchez has a skinny build, so it’s unlikely his game will revolve around big power.
Looking forward to 2016, Sanchez will continue his development at either Kingsport or Brooklyn. First up, though, is extended spring training in Florida, where he’ll work with minor league instructors like Jose Carreno and Bob Natal. Maturity is an important part of every young player’s development, so more experience only helps with that.
While most of the catchers in the Mets’ system are older with years of minor league experience, like Xorge Carrillo, Raywilly Gomez, Nevin Ashley, and Colton Plaia, someone like Sanchez provides a young player with a whole career ahead of him and a promising one at that.
Prior Top 80 Articles:
#16 Luis Guillorme, #17 Chris Flexen, #18 Max Wotell, #19 Milton Ramos, #20 Akeel Morris
25-21, 30-26 35-31, 40-36, 45-41, 50-46, 60-51, 70-61, 80-71
Catcher is another area where Mets fans have been spoiled to the point of unrealistic expectations. From Grote to Carter to Hundley to Piazza and now TdA we have seen AS caliber play from behind the plate for majority of the teams existence. Even when the team fielded journeyman, (Buck, Schneider, they did so producing near league average production from behind the plate.
Mets really have had some great catchers and that trend should continue. Both TDA and Plawecki where top 50 prospects in all of baseball. TDA could be the best offensive catcher in baseball if he stays healthy.
thanks Jacob good report.
Thanks for reading!
I love TDA, but until Buster Posey is no longer around, best offensive catcher is not up for debate
You are right, should have said 2nd best.
If he can play 135 healthy games this season, he might just be the best non posey offensive catcher. He’s got all the potential. He’s due a healthy year or two
TDA’s offensive upside actually IS Posey. Posey is essentially a 20 HR MAX type guy(Steamer says 17), wRC+ in the 130s. What’s TDA? Last year 12 HR in less than half a season, wRC+ in the 130s. I don’t think people fully appreciate what TDA is doing yet. And Posey plays a bunch of games at 1B these days. TDA doesn’t.
That’s a pretty underwhelming slugging percentage.
Jamie, with all due respect Posey’s batting average, OBP, and plate discipline is second to none, and I’m not just talking about catchers. He also plays his home games at one of the most difficult parks to hit the long ball.
Destry OPS includes everything you mentioned and even better wRC+ adjusts for park factors. They were essentially the same hitter last year.
Not a big concern for an 18-year old catcher though. Kid is still going to grow and some power will come.
Jamie, no they weren’t.
You are correct. Posey was sliiiiiightly better. He came in at 138. TDA came in at 131. ZIPS has Posey coming at 133 in 2016.
Yes, but TDA played roughly half the amount as Posey. There’s something to be said about that kind of production from a C, for a full season. TDA has yet to play a full season, and if he ever does, the strain of catching day to day will decrease his offensive production
Exactly which bring us back to the beginning. It’s very likely TDA’s ceiling/offensive potential IS Posey. He’s not Posey yet but he will be if he keeps doing what he’s been doing over a full season.
Have to disagree Jamie. I like TDA a lot, but Posey is one of the best pure hitters in baseball. TDA, even at his peak won’t reach that level. I love your optimism though brother. 🙂
Ok. So you’re saying what TDA already showed last year in about a half a season isn’t sustainable and he will regress this year. That’s a perfectly acceptable stance. One I disagree with however.
Yes. Most of his production came against LHP. If he had 500 ABs. The majority of those will be against RHP while will bring down his overall numbers. Also, if he doesn’t get injured, he will tire as the season progresses
You should have quit while you were ahead man, no offense. No. The majority of his abats were not against lefties. He had 216 plate appearances against righties last year and 52 plate appearances against lefties. He hit 8 of his 12 HR against righties. He also just turned 27 and is likely still getting better.
Majority of his PRODUCTION, not ABs. Posey is 29, has an MVP, batting title, and 3 world series rings. Not the same level my man.
He was for a half a season last year. Once again, he’s already showed “Posey level play” so IMO it’s prefectly reasonable to say TDA’s ceiling his Posey level offense. Also, 8 of his 12 HR were against righthanders and you think the majority of his production came against lefties? Not correct. The majority of his offense came against righthanders. Is he better against lefties? Sure. Most right-handed hitters would be. Posey is also no longer a full time catcher.
Yet he caught twice as many games as TDA last season.
Love reading the scouting reports, they are well written and very informative!! Future is bright Mets Family!!