Versatile Sanchez just wants to help White Sox win

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Put Yolmer Sanchez on a sheet of ice and he'd probably play left wing with no problem.

Put him on a basketball court and he'd be your point guard.

Put him on a football field and he'd fit right in at defensive back.

A gifted athlete, Sanchez is always up for any challenge. That's why he barely flinched when the White Sox decided to move him to second base and shift Yoan Moncada to third.

"When you are good at something, you don't have to prove it," Sanchez said with a familiar smile. "No, I always love to play defense. I feel ready for any position. I can play third, I can play second, I can play short. Wherever the team needs, I'm going to try to do my best."

Entering his sixth season with the Sox, Sanchez has played 264 games at second base, 199 at third and 13 games at shortstop. He's also played a game in the outfield and has a solid glove wherever he lands.

Last year, he played in 155 games for the White Sox, 141 of them at third base.

"My goal is to see my name in the lineup every day," Sanchez said.

Had the Sox signed Manny Machado, Sanchez likely would have lost his starting job at second base. Moncada would have probably stayed put.

The White Sox missed out on Machado, and now it looks like Sanchez will hold down second base until Nick Madrigal makes it to the major leagues, most likely next season.

Bouncing around the infield and looking over your shoulder at rising prospects can be stressful, but the fun-loving Sanchez never sees any dark clouds.

"My first year, I was a little shy but now I know everybody and everybody knows me," Sanchez said. "Everybody knows I like to have fun, play hard. I come here every day early, work hard but at the same time have fun. That's the only thing I want to do. I always say I've been working so hard to get to the big leagues and I want to stay here."

Sanchez, who tied for the American League lead with 10 triples last season, said he'll do everything he can to help Moncada get comfortable at third base.

"He can be a superstar," Sanchez said. "The first day I saw him play, he's got all the tools. He just has to continue to work, continue to get better, get experience. That's it."