TAMPA — After simply 5 main league video games and two hits, Everson Pereira discovered himself batting fourth on Sunday.
“I just feel like he has a chance to impact the ball in there,” Aaron Boone stated earlier than the Yankees’ collection finale towards the Rays. “Despite not having a lot of results and even taking some lumps here in a couple of these games, I do feel like he’s put together some good at-bats, too.”
The 22-year-old left fielder’s designation because the cleanup hitter accentuated a slightly youthful Yankees lineup on Sunday. Boone additionally had Anthony Volpe batting fifth and taking part in shortstop after an unprecedented Saturday off day for the 22-year-old.
Oswaldo Cabrera, 23, hit seventh and performed proper. Oswald Peraza, additionally 22, hit eighth and performed third base.
“Excited to see what all of them are able to do here in this final month-plus of games playing regularly, playing together,” Boone stated. “And hopefully they can take and run with it.”
With the Yankees in final place, under .500 and 10 video games out of a Wild Card spot, their focus is now on the long run. If that wasn’t clear already, Sunday’s lineup hammered the purpose residence.
The underachieving staff has an eye fixed on 2024, and the remainder of this season can be utilized to guage youthful gamers on the huge league stage.
“It’s an excellent opportunity to really kind of get more information and to see where they need to continue to make strides,” Boone stated.
Volpe, with the staff since beating Peraza for the beginning shortstop job in spring coaching, has impressed Boone whereas enduring the “ups and downs” which are to be anticipated of a rookie. The supervisor has been pleased with Volpe’s protection and the way he’s dealt with himself.
Volpe entered Sunday slashing a mere .217/.294/.392, however he’s proven flashes of an impression bat with 17 residence runs. His pace — he had 20 stolen bases — has additionally been an asset for the Yankees, albeit with some inconsistency.
Boone stated Pereira had some good at-bats towards Tyler Glasnow on Saturday, however he hit simply .111 over his first 18 plate appearances. Boone added that he’s appreciated how Pereira has moved round in left.
Pereira performed all three outfield spots within the minors this 12 months, however he’s but to play heart within the majors.
“I know he’s played all three,” Boone stated earlier within the collection. “He’s very much held his own in all three and he’s athletic enough to handle all of them. He’s got arm strength. So maybe long-term, he’s probably in the corner, but it’s probably not fair to totally rule out centerfield, either.”
Where Pereira performs sooner or later might rely on what the Yankees do with different gamers. Fellow prospects Spencer Jones and Jasson Domínguez play heart, whereas Harrison Bader is an impending free agent.
“Does he have the ability to play center field right now? Yes,” outfield coach Luis Rojas lately informed the Daily News of Pereira. “I’ve seen him play center in spring training games, and he handled himself pretty well. And that’s the position he knows best. So no doubt in my mind that he can come in today if we need him to play center.”
As for Peraza, Boone stated “oh yeah,” when requested if his future is in the midst of the infield.
A pure shortstop, Peraza has principally performed third for the Yankees. But he additionally has expertise at second base, which might open up if the Yankees transfer Gleyber Torres throughout the offseason. With DJ LeMahieu shifting round, nonetheless, Peraza might stick on the scorching nook, too.
Of course, Peraza may be traded sooner or later.
“To me, he’s a big league shortstop,” Boone stated. “Obviously, Anthony’s there. I believe defensively, he can play anyplace, however he’s firstly ok to be a significant league shortstop. So when you may have that, that’s the place you need to begin from.
“I think he’s got a chance to be impactful wherever he is in the infield defensively.”
Then there’s Cabrera, who entered Sunday with simply 12 plate appearances over eight video games and three begins since July 22. After offering a jolt of power final season, the utilityman has fallen in need of expectations this 12 months, hitting simply .209/.270/.306 over his first 227 plate appearances.
Like the opposite children, Boone hopes to play Cabrera usually over the previous couple of weeks of the season.
“We’re still high on him,” the skipper stated. “I nonetheless suppose he has a protracted profession in entrance of him within the huge leagues, particularly along with his versatility. It’s a troublesome league, and other people make changes to you. He’s gone via some bumps right here at this stage, however that’s additionally a part of it. And the fellows which are in a position to make a profession out of this and turn out to be actually good gamers at this stage are in a position to study from it.
“It’s not a straight line up for guys all the time. Hopefully, this will serve him well, not only moving forward in the short-term and next year, but down the road in his big league career.”
WELLS AND DOMÍNGUEZ
With the Yankees already taking part in a handful of youngsters, Boone was requested what the draw back could be to calling up high prospects Domínguez and Austin Wells, who’re each at Triple-A, when rosters increase in September.
“The downside is it could always not be the best first experience for guys,” Boone replied. “That’ll be more of a decision [for] player development, front office — with our recommendations, too. What’s best for their development? And it may very well be to be here and getting some of those at-bats, but we’ll see.”
Wells, 24, entered Sunday with 30 video games of Triple-A expertise. He’s hit .263/.356/.456 with 4 homers and 18 RBI there whereas making strides on his protection behind the plate. On Saturday, Boone additionally stated the group wish to get Wells some seems to be at first base.
Domínguez, in the meantime, started the day with simply six days of Triple-A expertise after a latest promotion. The 20-year-old has gotten off to a scorching begin there, going 9-for-20 (.450) with eight RBI.
On Sunday, Boone stated “yeah” when requested if he feels Domínguez is near main league prepared.
“I think he’s gonna be a really good player in this league,” Boone stated. “He’s a very particular expertise. After getting off to a little bit little bit of a gradual begin this 12 months in Double-A, he’s actually performed nicely right here over the previous couple of months.
“I like the fact that he, at a very young age, really controls the strike zone. Hopefully that’s something that, when he does get up here, will really be something that serves him well.”
JONES MOVES UP
Jones turned the newest Yankees outfield prospect to obtain a promotion on Sunday, because the group moved the 22-year-old to Double-A Somerset.
“Organizationally, we’re really excited about his future,” Boone stated. “It’s been a good first full year for him. And now, hopefully, as he climbs, he can finish off his season strong, but it’s been a successful year for him.”
Jones, the twenty fifth total choose final 12 months, slashed .268/.337/.450 with 28 doubles, 13 residence runs, 56 RBI and 35 stolen bases over 100 video games at High-A Hudson Valley this season. The Vanderbilt product has drawn bodily comparisons to Aaron Judge, as he’s listed at 6-6 and 225 kilos. Jones, nonetheless, is a centerfielder by commerce and swings from the left aspect.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com