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2016 AL East Rankings by Position: Catcher

By Nate Wardle

Jun 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) is unable to tag out Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13 ) during the sixth inning in a game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) is unable to tag out Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (13 ) during the sixth inning in a game at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 29, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) slides safe as New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) is late with the tag during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) slides safe as New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) is late with the tag during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

3. New York Yankees – Brian McCann, Gary Sanchez, Austin Romine, Sebastian Valle

The 31-year-old McCann hit .232 for the second year in a row in 2015, and one has to wonder if that is where he is at this point in his career as far as average goes. This is a guy who has caught a lot of games in his 11-year career with the Atlanta Braves and Yankees. McCann did have 26 HRs, 15 2Bs, 94 RBIs in 2015, and won the Silver Slugger in the American League. There were some points where he helped carry the Yankees’ offense through the season.

McCann started 119 games behind the plate, and had a very solid caught stealing percentage of 36 percent, while allowing 50 stolen bases. The 23-year-old Sanchez has a chance to be the Yankees’ backup to start the year, and the team is very high on him. Both Sanchez and Romine spent the majority of their time in the minor leagues in 2015, with a combined four games appeared in in the majors combined. Valle also has never appeared in a major league game, but he had a very strong year for the AA Altoona Curve of the Pirates’ organization in 2015.

The Yankees look to be going young in 2016 behind McCann, and I think Romine will get the nod to start the year based on his previous experience.

Next: Going young at catcher...

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