Yolmer Sanchez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #12 prospect in 2015
  A rare White Sox success story from Latin America, Sanchez finished 2012 at Triple-A Charlotte but stalled in 2013 after some offseason weight gain and a part-time move to shortstop. The trades of Gordon Beckham and Marcus Semien cleared two obstacles from Sanchez's path, and he got 100 at-bats as a September callup. Sanchez played shortstop again in 2014 but fits better at second base, where his range and above-average arm strength make him a plus defender. He's just fringe-average at short. He regained some quickness and burst in 2014 and has the above-average speed managers like to have on their bench. Sanchez's bat is sound from both sides of the plate but lacks explosiveness. His below-average power means he's unlikely to be more than a bottom-of-the-order option. Sanchez has the opportunity to earn the everyday second-base job in 2015 because he's more polished than Micah Johnson, but long-term Johnson has more tools and impact potential. Sanchez likely will compete with Tyler Saladino for a utility job.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #12 prospect in 2014
  While Chicago's big league team has a strong Latin American presence, much of it comes from Cuba (Jose Abreu, Alexei Ramirez, Dayan Viciedo) or other organizations. Sanchez, signed out of Venezuela as a 16-year-old, remains the best recent in-house product of the organization's international efforts. He finished 2012 in Triple-A Charlotte after starting in high Class A Winston-Salem, with a stop in the Futures Game along the way. Sanchez was pegged to play shortstop every day as a 20-year-old in Triple-A in 2014, and it proved too much. Offseason weight gain cost him a bit of first-step burst that had separated him in the past. Sanchez wound up playing more at second base than short, where he made 13 errors in just 52 games. He still has an above-average arm and soft hands and was playing well as a second baseman for La Guaira in winter ball back in Venezuela. Sanchez has little power to speak of and is a plus runner at his best, so he'll need to keep refining his short game and defense. He could wind up serving a utility infielder role unless he regains the zip he showed in 2012, but the organization still sees him as a potential regular at second. He's ticketed for a trip back to Charlotte in 2014, barring a big spring.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #3 prospect in 2013
  While the White Sox were falling behind internationally, Venezuelan scout Amador Arias still found infielder Eduardo Escobar (since traded to the Twins for Francisco Liriano) and Sanchez. The latter won the Carolina League batting title (.315) in 2012, then hit .370 in Double-A. He has played all over the infield, including an appearance at third base in the 2012 Futures Game, and first stood out with his glove in pro ball. In 2011, Kannapolis manager Tommy Thompson said Sanchez was as good defensively as any second baseman he had ever seen. He has enough arm to play on the left side of the infield and the Sox haven't ruled him out as a shortstop. He has quick hands that are good on the double-play pivot and a quick first step. Offensively, Sanchez features a short swing and good bat speed, hitting line drives all over the park from both sides of the plate. Smaller than his listed size, he offers little power and needs to walk more often. He has average speed and runs the bases aggressively. While Alexei Ramirez (2015) and Gordon Beckham (2016) are under White Sox control for several years, Sanchez could make one of them trade bait. A potential Gold Glover, he could play as a 20-year-old shortstop in Triple-A in 2013 before making a push for the big leagues before season's end.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #21 prospect in 2012
  The switch-hitter steadily has improved with the bat since signing out of Venezuela in 2009, but it's his play in the field that has captured the White Sox's attention. Kannapolis manager Tommy Thompson, who started his career as a coach/instructor in 1988, says Sanchez is as strong defensively as any second baseman he has seen. He has excellent range to both sides and quick, soft hands. He hangs in well on double plays and has a strong arm that has allowed him to see time on the left side of the infield. Sanchez is a better hitter from the left side of the plate. He has a small-ball game, bunting and protecting the plate, but he'll have to make more contact and draw more walks. He has very little power, so he must focus on getting on base. He has average speed but gets reckless on the bases and runs into too many outs. Sanchez has the upside of an everyday second baseman in the major leagues, though he'll need to add a lot of polish first. He'll still be 19 when he opens 2012 in high Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked International League #18 prospect in 2013
  Sanchez has deceptive speed for a player with his short, thick frame. His bat speed is quick enough to be an effective spray hitter, though power will never be a part of his game. He has just three homers in more than 1,600 minor league plate appearances. The switch-hitting Sanchez was more dangerous from the left side of the plate last year when he won the high Class A Carolina League batting title, but he hit a soft .224/.283/.272 when facing righthanders at Triple-A this year. He runs well but shows hesitancy to steal against lefties. He supplements his offensive game with the occasional bunt. Sanchez first stood out in the White Sox system for his plus range, and his strong arm allows him to make the difficult running throws at shortstop and second base when his momentum carries him away from first base. He has reliable footwork and quick hands on the double play.
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  Ranked Carolina League #6 prospect in 2012
  Sanchez may be the first player on this list to become a regular in the major leagues--and that opportunity could come next season. He won the CL batting title at .315, then batted .370 during a month in Double-A before finishing the year in Triple-A. After incorporating his legs more into his swing, Sanchez has a more balanced approach at the plate. He won't hit for much power, but he makes consistent line-drive contact. An average runner, he has soft hands, range to both sides and a strong, accurate arm that play well at both second base and shortstop. "Carlos is one of the best defenders I've been around in 30 years, not only at second base, but he has been electric at shortstop too," Winston-Salem veteran manager Tommy Thompson said. "He's a Gold Glove-caliber player at the highest level and will be an everyday player at second base or shortstop."

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: While the White Sox were falling behind internationally, Venezuelan scout Amador Arias still found infielder Eduardo Escobar (since traded to the Twins for Francisco Liriano) and Sanchez. The latter won the Carolina League batting title (.315) in 2012, then hit .370 in Double-A. He has played all over the infield, including an appearance at third base in the 2012 Futures Game. Scouting Report: Sanchez first stood out with his glove in pro ball. In 2011, Kannapolis manager Tommy Thompson said Sanchez was as good defensively as any second baseman he has ever seen. He has enough arm to play on the left side and the Sox haven't ruled him out as a shortstop. He has quick hands that are good on the double-play pivot and a quick first step. Offensively, Sanchez features a short swing and good bat speed, hitting line drives from both sides of the plate. He offers little power and needs to walk more often. He has average speed and runs the bases aggressively. The Future: While Alexei Ramirez (2015) and Gordon Beckham (2016) are under White Sox control for several years, Sanchez could make one of them trade bait. A potential Gold Glover, he could play shortstop in Triple-A in 2013 before making a push for the big leagues.