HOUSTON — When the Yankees beat the Astros on Friday evening, they did so with 5 rookies of their lineup. Another got here out of the bullpen.
With Jasson Domínguez (20), Everson Pereira (22), Oswald Peraza (22), Anthony Volpe (22) and Austin Wells (24) all beginning, it marked simply the second time since 1971 that the Yankees had 5 gamers 24 or youthful begin the identical sport. Randy Vásquez, additionally 24, then delivered two scoreless innings in aid.
“It’s very special,” Wells, who debuted alongside Domínguez, stated earlier than the sport. “I don’t know a lot of guys who can say they debuted with four or five guys from the minors that they played with.”
Domínguez, whose MLB debut had been extremely anticipated ever since he signed a $5.1 million contract as a 16-year-old, stole the present when the centerfielder homered off Justin Verlander — who’s twice his age — in his very first at-bat.
Wells, in the meantime, picked up a single in his preliminary plate look and caught the whole sport.
But the Yankees’ youth motion amid a disastrous season is about extra than simply the 2 gamers who performed their first sport on Friday.
Volpe might be a cornerstone within the making after turning into the primary Yankee to document a 20-20 season as a rookie. Pereira is making an attempt to indicate that he might be the left fielder of the long run. Peraza’s versatility might make him a keeper at second or third with Volpe occupying his pure place, shortstop. Vásquez and Jhony Brito, 25, hope to have an effect on subsequent 12 months’s pitching workers, whereas Oswaldo Cabrera, 24, has proven worth as an excellent utilityman regardless of a tough season on the plate.
“I’m so happy for [Domínguez] and Wells and Everson and everybody,” stated Volpe, who’s essentially the most skilled of the bunch. “I just told them to enjoy it and have as much fun as they can.”
All in all, 10 of the Yankees’ 28 gamers on the lively roster are 26 or youthful. Nine are 25 or youthful and 7 are 24 or youthful. It is evident that the crew’s focus is on 2024 and past after an underachieving veteran core, poor roster building and accidents put the Yanks out of the playoff image with September simply starting.
While the Yankees will not be the place they wish to be, their youthful gamers are desirous to seize the alternatives in entrance of them. They’re additionally thrilled to be doing so collectively.
“I’m very excited, especially playing with a lot of them in the minor leagues,” Pereira stated. “Just attending to the large leagues will not be simple. It’s a number of work to get to the large leagues. But we performed collectively for fairly a while.
“So just to be here is very exciting.”
MARTIAN IN THE MIDDLE
Speaking of Domínguez, the switch-hitter discovered himself hitting third on Saturday after batting fifth in his debut. Aaron Boone chalked that call as much as his “obsession with balance and having three lefties in” the lineup.
However, the supervisor can be snug with Domínguez’s means to hit so excessive within the order in simply his second sport.
“He’s, I feel like, totally cut out for this,” Boone stated. “So I’m not worried about where he’s hitting in the lineup. I really do believe he’s gonna be a really good player. I feel like he expects to be here.”
Wells, in the meantime, moved up from fifth to sixth whereas behind the plate once more.
YOUNG PITCHERS
Boone stated that it’s attainable that Vásquez and Brito will get some begins over the ultimate month of the season. The righties have largely been spot starters and rotation fill-ins when wanted this 12 months, however they’re at present within the bullpen with the crew utilizing Michael King on a five-day schedule.
Brito entered Saturday with a 5.12 ERA over 70.1 innings and 18 video games, together with 13 begins. Vásquez has a 2.22 ERA over 24.1 frames and 6 video games, together with 4 begins.
WHY NOT FLORIAL?
One younger Yankee who hasn’t gotten an opportunity is Estevan Florial. The 25-year-old former high prospect has had a monstrous 12 months at Triple-A, however the Yankees have repeatedly promoted different farmhands and veteran minor leaguers.
On Saturday, Boone stated that Florial has come up in organizational talks, however him not being on the 40-man roster has “complicated matters.” Florial fell off the roster when the Yankees designated him for task in April, however he went unclaimed and remained within the group.
“He’s been in that conversation for a lot of the last two months,” Boone stated whereas including that Florial nonetheless has the instruments to succeed. “Just a couple other guys that, right now, we feel like we want to look at ahead of him.”
Florial entered Saturday hitting .281/.381/.548 with 24 homers, 66 RBI and 23 stolen bases. However, he’s struck out 30% of the time.
NOT THINKING ABOUT .500
The Yankees started the season with championship aspirations, however they entered Saturday’s sport with a 66-69, last-place document. With that in thoughts, Boone was requested if ending over .500 is now a aim with a month left to play.
“I don’t even look at it like that right now. I get asked about it. I’m aware of where we [are],” Boone stated, including that he doesn’t need suppose too far forward. “So, of course, you want to finish strong, but I also feel like that’s four weeks away.”
The actuality is that the remainder of the Yankees’ season can be about growing the aforementioned children, not the crew’s document. With that stated, the Yankees haven’t completed beneath .500 since 1992.
TORRES’ BACK
Boone stated that Gleyber Torres is doing higher after his again locked up on him earlier than Friday’s sport. Boone stated that he’d see concerning the second baseman’s availability as Saturday unfolded, however Torres didn’t have assessments completed.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com