Something needed to change. In the midst of a horrible slide, the Yankees needed to attempt one thing to spark them out of this funk. So, they made some roster modifications that would inject some youthful vitality into the room. They referred to as up switch-hitting prospect Oswaldo Cabrera and lefty-hitting Estevan Florial, after which after shifting Clay Holmes to the injured record, they introduced again Ron Marinaccio.
But Aaron Boone cautioned that it’s an excessive amount of to placed on the 2 children to anticipate them to be the spark the Yankees have been lacking for a month now.
“No one’s expecting or counting on them being the revelation that turns us around,” Boone mentioned. “Just go be a part of this team. … We want to spark and get things going offensively, but they’re here because they’ve earned their way here. We feel like moving forward they give us a couple of good pieces that can help us win ball games.”
The key to successful video games is that the Yankees have to get wholesome. DJ LeMahieu mentioned he expects to be within the beginning lineup on Thursday. Giancarlo Stanton may very well be on a rehab task as quickly as this weekend and again subsequent week, Boone mentioned. Cabrera and Florial can change the narrative and increase some vitality because the Yankees slog by way of the canine days of the season as they’ve misplaced 11 out of 13 and are 8-17 for the reason that All-Star break.
Cabrera was making his large league debut Wednesday evening within the sequence finale taking part in third base towards the Rays at Yankee Stadium. His dad and mom, who had been in Wichita watching his youthful brother who’s within the Twins group, had been going to be there.
“Just play my game. I’m just gonna try to do the same thing that I was doing down there,” Cabrera mentioned. “Don’t do more than I can. It’s my expectation.”
The 23-year-old is hitting .269/.348/.503 with a .851 OPS, 9 dwelling runs and 13 stolen bases this season. He’s drawn 22 walks and struck out 57 instances in 197 at-bats throughout three leagues.
“Instinctual player,” is how one American League scout described Cabrera. “Was always one of the more mature guys on the field.”
The scout added that if the ability Cabrera flashed within the second half of final season exhibits up once more within the majors he may very well be an daily participant on some main league groups. Cabrera completed with 29 dwelling runs in 2021.
Bench coach Carlos Mendoza met Cabrera, a fellow Venezuelan, in educational leagues and mentioned he’s a really mature participant who understands the sport and has baseball smarts.
“He’s someone we’re really excited about. You’ve always kind of loved his makeup and really like what he brings to the table as a switch hitter, impacts the ball and really is a good infielder wherever you put [him] on second, short, third. He’s played a few games now in the outfield and been working out in the outfield quite a bit down at AAA this year. He should be able to give us a lot of flexibility.”
Florial, the previous prime prospect, has energy and pace. He is hitting .286/.368/.490 in Triple-A with a .858 OPS, 32 stolen bases and 14 homers in 89 video games. Florial, who has had points with pitch recognition up to now, has struck out 124 instances in 353 at-bats and drawn 45 walks. He’s hit .206/.325/.353 with a .678 OPS, a house run and two stolen bases in 40 main league plate appearances.
The scout who noticed him this yr thought that Florial had proven important enhancements in his at-bats, significantly with pitch recognition.
“His [at-bats] were significantly more competitive,” the scout mentioned.
Florial, who remains to be solely 24, credited being wholesome this season for being extra constant this season, in addition to his preparation.
“A lot of things, not just one,” Florial mentioned. “I think it’s working in the cage and using the fastball machine and seeing more breaking [balls]. It’s all helped.”
Boone mentioned they may work to place Florial in conditions to succeed.
“We’ll just see moving forward with matchups on a given day,” Boone mentioned. “But I would expect him to play a good amount.”
The Yankees additionally traded for Harrison Bader on the deadline, who is anticipated to be their starter as quickly as he’s off the injured record. Dealing with plantar fasciitis, Bader has simply begun understanding within the pool and anti-gravity treadmill, however nonetheless hopes to be taking part in early subsequent month.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com