Gary Sanchez Named SAL Hitter of the Week Again

CHARLESTON, SC - Charleston RiverDogs catcher Gary Sanchez has been named the South Atlantic League's Hitter of the Week for games from August 1-7, as announced by the league office on Monday.

During that span, Sanchez batted .500 (11-22) with five home runs, nine RBI, scored five runs, and walked four times. In the process, the 18-year-old dynamo has raised his average to .256 – the highest it has been since June 24 – with a team-high 15 home runs.

A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the No. 2 prospect in the Yankees organization according to Baseball America signed with the Yankees for $3 million as a 16-year-old international free agent in July 2009.  He came to the United States in 2010 for the first time since he was 14 and played on an All-Star team.

He split time between the Gulf Coast Yankees and Staten Island in last season, hitting a combined .329 in 47 games with eight home runs – including a grand slam in second career at-bat -- and 43 RBI. He was ranked No. 32 among Top 50 Prospects by MLB.com entering 2011 season.

This marks the second time this season that Sanchez has received the citation, garnering the same laurels for his efforts from June 13-19.