Red Sox Callup #4: Yolmer Sanchez
No player on this list can match Yolmer Sanchez’s MLB experience. The 30-year-old played 657 games over 7 seasons with the White Sox, including winning a Gold Glove in 2019. He even slashed .313/.476/.616 over the shortened 2020 season before being surprisingly cut, claimed off waivers, and DFA’d by the Orioles.
Sanchez signed a minor-league deal prior to this season with the Red Sox and, despite failing to make the Opening Day roster, has continued to rake down in Worcester. He’s slashing a terrific .284/.404/.480, homering 6 times and leading the team with 27 runs scored. Sanchez may not have many standout tools but he has tremendous control of the strike zone, walking 26 times against just 36 strikeouts.
Much of the focus on the Red Sox’s offensive needs have focused on first base and the outfield, but the lack of a utility infielder is just as big an issue. Trevor Story, Xander Bogaerts, and Rafael Devers have not had a day off this month, and while it’s nice as a fan to see the stars in the lineup every day, those innings are eventually going to add up.
If Sanchez can produce even average offense to go along with his plus glove, he can be a valuable asset to the club.