Though he only played in one game before Aug. 3, Sanchez tied an 86-year-old Major League record by hitting 20 home runs in his first 51 big league contests, equaling a pace set by Wally Berger of the 1930 Boston Braves.
The 23-year-old Sanchez quickly took over the Yankees' starting catcher job from veteran Brian McCann, finishing with a .299 (60-for-201) average with 12 doubles, 20 home runs and 42 RBIs in his debut campaign.
Improbably helping the Yankees remain in the postseason chase until the season's final week, Sanchez compiled a 1.032 OPS while throwing out 13 of 32 runners attempting to steal (41 percent).