The first full week of Grapefruit League motion has come and gone.
Entering week two, the Yankees have had a plethora of storylines from younger prospects knocking on the door of the Bronx to veterans displaying they nonetheless belong in pinstripes.
Position battles are nonetheless very a lot current and will final by your entire spring whereas Aaron Boone determines who he’ll take north on Opening Day.
Here’s how the gamers battling for a spot are trending after the primary week.
INF ANTHONY VOLPE: TRENDING UP
The Yankees’ No. 1 prospect has been the discuss of the city within the early days of spring coaching. The 21-year-old reportedly obtained a name from Brian Cashman informing him that he has a possibility to grow to be the Bombers’ Opening Day shortstop in 2023 and the New Jersey native to date has answered the decision.
Volpe is 5-for-15 (.333) with a homer, two doubles and two stolen bases whereas proudly owning a 1.042 OPS.
The infielder has been the highest performer within the exhibition video games amongst the shortstop opponents — Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oswald Peraza — and has positioned himself firmly within the combine to trot out on March 30 towards the San Francisco Giants. The Yankees have been placed on discover.
“It’s hard to answer what the criteria [for Volpe to become the Opening Day shortstop] is,” mentioned Boone after Friday’s loss to the Rays. “But we’re paying attention.”
INF ISIAH KINER-FALEFA: TRENDING DOWN
The incumbent within the Bombers’ shortstop competitors has not had an awesome begin to his spring.
The 27-year-old is 1-for-9 (.111) with an error at shortstop on a routine floor ball — one thing that derailed him in 2022 resulting in the Bombers’ trying to find solutions in October at shortstop with Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera getting begins.
Kiner-Falefa — who inked a one-year, $6 million deal to keep away from arbitration in November — is being hunted down by Peraza and Volpe to take over the reins within the six-hole.
Boone talked about that the infielder could be utilized at completely different infield positions corresponding to third — the place he gained the Gold Glove award for the Texas Rangers in 2021 — and second base. Perhaps a show of versatility may assist his inventory rebound after a tough week.
OF JASSON DOMINGUEZ: TRENDING UP
The Martian has visited the moon a number of occasions this spring. Yankees’ No. 2 prospect Jasson Dominguez has proven he could also be on the cusp of a breakout marketing campaign.
The 20-year-old outfielder homered once more on Sunday afternoon towards the Braves and is now 5-for-12 (.417) with two homers — one from both sides of the plate — and 4 RBI.
Dominguez misplaced somewhat little bit of his luster after his first two skilled seasons within the minors have been a bit underwhelming — .731 OPS in 2021 and .837 OPS in 2022 — in comparison with the Mike Trout and Mickey Mantle comparisons he was receiving when the Bombers’ signed him to a record-breaking $5.1 million worldwide signing bonus.
However, getting into his third skilled season, with a robust big-league spring below his belt, it might be sensible to carry onto all Dominguez inventory because it’s trending in the precise course.
OF AARON HICKS: TRENDING UP
If there have been any believers left after his .642 OPS in 130 video games season in 2022, now could be the time to point out yourselves. Aaron Hicks debuted a unique batting stance this spring and there have been some optimistic outcomes accompanying that change.
The 33-year-old is 3-for-10 (.300) together with a 404-foot solo homer in Friday’s loss to the Rays. Hicks entered the spring as the favourite to win the Yankees’ left area job and has finished nothing to discourage his odds to date.
“It definitely gets the competitive juices flowing, that’s for sure,” Hicks mentioned of the place battle throughout Friday’s recreation on the YES Network. “Because, I mean, it’s my spot. I’m here to do whatever I need to do to make sure I get that position. But most importantly, I need to have a spring training that allows me to be ready to go for the season.”
Hicks was arguably a penny inventory after final season, nonetheless, his spring efficiency and MLB rule modifications corresponding to banning the shift have issues trending upwards.
OF ESTEVAN FLORIAL: TRENDING DOWN
It’s his final probability and he isn’t profiting from it.
Once high prospect Estevan Florial is out of minor league choices this spring and headed to Tampa, Fla. in a last-ditch try to point out he can present worth to the massive league membership. However, issues haven’t gone in line with plan.
The 25-year-old is 2-for-12 (.167) with one RBI and one stolen base this spring. Florial bought some run with the Bombers final season as nicely hitting .097 in 17 video games.
If Florial doesn’t make the massive league membership out of camp he’ll be positioned on waivers for any of the opposite 29 groups to assert and the inventory futures don’t look too promising if his objective is to stay in pinstripes.
OF RAFAEL ORTEGA: TRENDING UP
Rafael Ortega has been white scorching this spring. The outfielder is 3-for-8 with two homers and 5 RBI and has pushed himself by the door as a authentic candidate to fly north with the membership.
As a non-roster invitee, the lefty is part of the competitors to win the left area job together with Hicks and Willie Calhoun — Cabrera figures to be extra of a utility man versus having one set place.
However, Ortega is extra of a righty specialist as he’s a .211 profession hitter towards southpaws and .243 towards righties. The Bombers haven’t shied away from platoon conditions prior to now and Ortega’s inventory could also be value a search for funding.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com