As Kyle Higashioka was working his way through the Yankees’ minor league system, he was routinely overlooked due to the presence of much high profile prospects. Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, and Gary Sanchez were peers of Higashioka at one time that seemed destined to become the Yankees’ everyday catcher. Higashioka persevered through nearly a decade in the minor leagues and has carved out a regular role at the major league level.
After becoming the preferred catcher for Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in 2020, Higashioka played in five of the Yankees’ seven playoff games in 2020, posting a .