MLB scout: Gary Sanchez’s laziness could cost Yankees in the World Series

A Major League scout who knows the Yankees well believe they’re better off with No. 2 catcher Austin Romine playing over Gary Sanchez in big games. Sanchez didn’t hustle on two plays in the 7-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in Monday, July 23, 2018 (7/23/18) at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Major League scout who sees a lot of the Yankees believes catcher Gary Sanchez’s repeated laziness could lead to someone else winning the World Series this year.

“They’re going to have to catch Austin Romine in the playoffs,” the scout told NJ Advance Media hours before two more instances of Sanchez not hustling cost the Yankees in Monday night’s 7-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

“I just don’t know if I can trust Sanchez behind the plate and I know I can’t trust him to run hard,” the scout said.

The clairvoyant scout requested anonymity to speak frankly about Sanchez, who likely will face a benching by manager Aaron Boone.

WATCH: Sanchez’s loafing costs Yankees

Sanchez has earned a reputation as a player who frequently dogs it, and his latest sins gifted the Rays a first-inning run and prevented the Yankees from scoring the tying run on his game-ending, bases-loaded ground ball.

His first big mistake was not hustling after his passed ball, and that allowed Rays first baseman Jake Bauers to score from second base.

Later, Sanchez jogged out of the batter’s box on his game-ending ground ball to short in which he was out by five feet at first base after Aaron Hicks beat a throw to second. Hicks, by the way, limped off the field after his hard slide.

“I’m telling you, [Sanchez] is going to cost the Yankees big-time at some point,” the scout predicted. “And it might be in a playoff elimination game.”

Sanchez’s 10th passed ball of the season, which ties him for the most in the majors, came after he and Yankees starter Luis Severino got crossed up on a slider that was supposed to be a fastball.

After the inning, Severino was in Sanchez’s face discussing the issue in the Yankees dugout, but the pitcher later blamed himself in his post-game interview. Maybe it really was Severino’s fault, but perhaps the Yankees ace was protecting his catcher from further criticism.

Regardless, cross-ups are a recurring issue with Sanchez.

“There are times where I’m looking at Sanchez and I’m like, ‘Did he know what he just put down for a signal?'” the scout said. “It crosses my mind that it’s his own fault that he gets crossed up so much.”

That’s part of the reason why the scout thinks the Yankees are better off starting Romine in the postseason.

“You get in the playoffs and when you’re in those pressure-packed situations, do you want Sanchez back there knowing that he can get lazy any pitch?” the scout asked. “Romine, I like him defensively. His arm isn’t Sanchez’s arm, but it’s good enough. And Romine is a gamer. You never hear him complain and when his number’s called, he goes in there and does a good job.

“And I guarantee you every Yankees pitcher likes throwing to Romine better than they do Sanchez.”

In Sanchez’s first two seasons, he deflected a lot of the criticism for his lack of hustle by putting up tremendous offensive numbers. But this season, he’s hitting just .188 with 14 homers and 42 RBI in 66 games — after batting .299 with 20 homers and 42 RBI in 53 games as a rookie in 2016 and .278 with 33 homers and 90 RBI in 122 games last year, a sophomore campaign in which he was an All-Star.

“I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong with Sanchez at the plate this year,” the scout said. “This is a very talented guy. Usually you can count on him to produce for you even when he’s goes through his lazy spells and now he’s not even giving you that.

“I’m telling you, Sanchez has become a real big problem for the Yankees even though they won’t admit it.”

Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.