Former White Sox Infield Prospect Signs With Atlanta Braves

Former White Sox infield prospect Yolbert Sanchez has signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves, according to a report from Francys Romero. Sanchez is expected to be assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett. 

The 26-year-old infielder was a top-30 prospect for the White Sox for three consecutive seasons. MLB Pipeline had Sanchez ranked as the White Sox No. 22 prospect in 2020, No. 23 in ‘21, and No. 15 in ‘22. Sanchez hit .271/.321/.333 in 108 games in Triple-A Charlotte last season but was released by the organization in September. His .271 average was the lowest of his career in the White Sox organization. Sanchez is a career .289 hitter in 363 minor-league games. 

The White Sox inked him to a $2.5 million deal in 2019. Before signing with the organization he was teammates with Luis Robert on the Cuban 18 and under national team at the age of 18. He played in Cuba’s Serie Nacional for three seasons before defecting in 2018. 

He was declared a free agent in February of 2019 but waited to sign until July because he wanted to play for the White Sox. However, he needed to wait until they had enough bonus pool money for him. Sanchez did not make his professional debut in the United States until the age of 24, after not being able to play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic-affected season.

He performed well in Rookie Ball, posting a .827 OPS in 29 games. In his first full season in the States, he hit .308 between stops at High-A Winston Salem and Double-A Birmingham. In 2022 he hit .353 in his first 14 games in Birmingham before quickly earning a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte. The Cuban infielder was named a MiLB.com Organization All-Star in 2021 and 2022.

Sanchez has good bat-to-ball skills which allows him to hit for a high average. However, his power is limited and he does not take many walks which limits his offensive value.

On the defensive end, he can play second base, shortstop, and third. He is considered an average defender but scouts believe he may be best suited for second base given his limited arm strength. He spent the most time in the White Sox organization at second appearing in 163 games there. During that stretch, he committed 12 errors. He also played 109 games at shortstop and 82 and third base. He committed 14 errors at shortstop and nine while manning the hot corner.

Given the White Sox void at second base, it was surprising that Sanchez never got an MLB opportunity. A change of scenery may be what he needs to finally break into the show.