Yankees farm report

Some consider catcher Gary Sanchez, not Jesus Montero, the Yankees' top minor-league prospect.

"This guy is special," one talent evaluator said during spring training.

Sanchez, signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2009 out of the Dominican Republic, was an immediate hit in 2010. The then-17-year-old hit a grand slam in his second pro at-bat with the Gulf Coast League Yankees en route to hitting .353 with six homers, 11 doubles and 36 RBIs in 31 games. He earned a promotion to Staten Island, where he hit .278 with two homers and seven RBIs in 16 games.

In his first season with Class A Charleston, Sanchez has had a rougher start. Entering Thursday night, he was hitting .202 in 24 games with a .238 on-base percentage. Sanchez has one homer, six doubles and 11 RBIs -- all of which has done nothing to lessen his standing. He is, after all, only 18.