WATCH: Joe Girardi pinpoints what Yankees' Gary Sanchez is doing wrong

by Felix Pantaleón

Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez was managed by Joe Girardi from his rookie season in 2016 through last season. Sanchez had two passed balls in the 8-2 loss to the Oakland A’s on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 (9/5/18). Luis Severino had two wild pitches with Sanchez behind the plate.

What does Gary Sanchez’s former manager make of last night in Oakland?
Joe Girardi discusses Sanchez’s catching with @MadDogUnleashed. #HighHeat pic.twitter.com/KIWhxb7loa
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 6, 2018

Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi saw the lowlights of Gary Sanchez’s nightmarish first inning catching Luis Severino on Wednesday night in Oakland.

Two passed balls and two wild pitches keyed a four-run inning for the Athletics, and the Yankees went on to lose 8-2.

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This inning surely brought back bad memories for Girardi, who dealt with the same issues during his two seasons managing Sanchez in 2017-18.

Sanchez struggled at blocking balls during his two-month rookie season in 2016 and led the majors in passed balls last season.

This year, Sanchez is tied for the lead in passed balls despite spending two months on the disabled list.

Why does Sanchez struggle so much catching?

A former catcher, Girardi now works as an MLB Network Insider and he pinpointed what Sanchez is doing wrong Thursday during an appearance on “High Heat.”

Watch the video above to hear Girardi discuss Sanchez’s problems and predict whether the issues can be corrected this season.

Girardi, by the way, didn’t mention why these problems weren’t fixed when he was managing Sanchez.

One of the biggest stories of the Yankees’ 2018 regular season was Girardi criticizing Sanchez’s catching after a poor showing.

Girardi was let go by the Yankees after the season when his contract expired and it’s believed his public criticism of Sanchez contributed to GM Brian Cashman’s decision to change managers.

Aaron Boone was hired as Girardi’s successor with no managing or coaching experience and thus far has led the Yankees to an 87-53 record that is tied for the second-best in the majors.

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