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Gaby Sanchez: Time to Shine

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If the Marlins really want to contend this year, we are going to need the help from the other half of Gaby Sanchez. The past two years, Sanchez struggled heavily after the All-Star break, even after being in the game last year. Many thought 2010 was a fluke, but it happened again in 2011, but the drop in 2011 was much more.

In 2010, Gaby Sanchez ended the first half of his rookie year with a respectable .302 BA 9 HR’s and 38 RBI’s. In that span, the Marlins went 42-46. You can’t blame that record on Gaby. Unfortunately, the second half of the season he had a .237 BA 10 HR’s and 47 RBI’s. Although he struggled and finished the year with a .271 BA 19 HR’s and 85 RBI’s, he was 4th in Rookie of the Year voting. The Marlins could have been in contention for the Wild Card that year, but Gaby’s record didn’t really help as they finished 80-82.

In 2011, it didn’t get much better. He started the year with a .293 BA 13 HR’s and 50 RBI’s. Although the average was down, his power numbers were up. His effort was enough to be named the only Florida Marlin in the 2011 All Star Game. The Marlins went 43-48 in that span, which would have been ten times better had the month, June, never existed. Although he was an All-Star, his second half numbers were much worse then the previous years. He only had a .225 BA 6 HR’s and 28 RBI’s.

What will 2012 bring? We all hope for much better numbers, which might be possible. With the addition of Reyes to the lineup, he is put in a better situation to drive in runs, but will Reyes be enough? We all know Gaby is a good, young player, still learning, but why do his numbers drop? Its understandable if your BA drops by .02 or so, but dropping a whole .7 is ridiculous. Is it the pressure? His stamina? I wish I knew. In the end, if the Marlins really want to contend for one of the wild card spots or a division title, we are going to need all the help we can get…Especially from Gaby.

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