Christian Vazquez was a forgotten man in 2016. After returning from Tommy John surgery the year prior, there were already some lofty expectations from Boston Red Sox fans that were drooling over his incredible defensive prowess. He was never expected to excel at the plate, and he continued to waiver a bit around that infamous Mendoza line last season. Then, something happened…what exactly, we don’t really know.
Sandy Leon caught fire at the plate and was needed in the lineup. Ryan Hanigan basically slid into the role as “back-up catcher” and did a serviceable job.