BALTIMORE — The Machine is studying. DJ LeMahieu, who’s coming off a 2021 that was one of many worst of his profession, is getting even higher, Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned Friday. The 10-year veteran who’s the one participant within the trendy period to win the batting title in each leagues is continuous to evolve this season.
“I think it’s just kind of lining up now. Yeah, I mean, I look he’s almost a .390 on base now is just remarkable. I just think he’s gotten so good at situational at-bats,” Boone mentioned earlier than the collection opener in opposition to the Orioles at Camden Yards. “Depending on the place we’re within the recreation, the rating, the man on the mound, clearly (Aaron) Judge and the guts of the order arising, simply how he navigates and that bat is admittedly enjoyable to observe. But I feel it’s additionally he’s in all probability simply been rewarded just a little bit extra for what I really feel prefer it’s been an actual constant method and constant contact all year long.
“I feel like there was a long stretch there where he was getting his hits and getting on base some but it was to line outs to right or right center, just miss a ball to center,” Boone continued. “Where he’s starting to get some results now. And I think the clip, which he’s getting on base now it’s been impressive.”
LeMahieu went into Friday night time’s recreation having reached base in every of his final 23 begins and is batting .348/.496/.472 with two doubles, three house runs, 9 RBI and 25 walks in that span. He has reached base a number of occasions in every of his final 9 begins, the longest streak by a Yankee since he did it 10 occasions in 2019. Since June 21, he leads the majors in walks (26) and ranks second in on-base share (.496) in that span. His 50 walks this season are the third most within the American League and tied for the sixth most within the majors. His 13.7% stroll price is the very best of his profession and a substantial bounce from the 8.3% he walked in 2020 when he received the AL batting title.
“I think he’s just a smart player, a great hitter. So I would say aptitude, experience and then knowledge gained from that and how to apply it. And I just think you watch his at-bats in a particular situation. The lack of fear of getting the two strikes, the lack of fear of getting deep into a count, knowing where he is in the lineup, who is hitting behind him. It’s just, it’s fun to watch him do that,” Boone mentioned.” So I might simply suppose clearly, it’s simply him being a really proficient hitter and his swing being conducive to being hitter. I additionally suppose the expertise he’s gained over all these years, he’s, he’s making use of rather well.”
LeMahieu hit .268/.349/.362 with a .802 OPS final season as he tried to play by a sports activities hernia. He was shut down on the finish of the season and had surgical procedure this offseason.
DOUBLE DUTY DAY OFF
Aaron Hicks walked into the clubhouse at Camden Yards Friday and admitted that he was just a little drained. The outfielder performed each ends of the double header in Houston on Thursday, so Aaron Boone had him off his toes and out of the lineup Friday night time.
It was the identical for Gleyber Torres, who recorded his five hundredth profession hit within the ninth inning of the second recreation Thursday. Torres performed in each ends of the doubleheader, so he was off for the collection opener in Baltimore.
Torres’ single within the ninth inning made him the fourth quickest Yankee to 500 hits within the final 36 years, trailing Derek Jeter (24 years and 24 days), Robinson Cano (24 years, 338 days) and Melky Cabrera (25 years and 26 days).
ROSTER MOVES
The Yankees returned JP Sears to Scranton Thursday night time. The lefty pitched three innings within the doubleheader and was the designated twenty seventh man. That means the Yankees didn’t have to make use of an choice with him this time. … Ron Marinaccio was making his second minor-league rehab begin Friday night time and Boone mentioned that there was a risk he might be again right here by Sunday. … Catcher Ben Rortvedt, who the Yankees acquired within the commerce with the Twins that introduced in Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Josh Donaldson, had his rehab project moved from Calss-A Hudson Valley to Triple-A Scranton Friday.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com