SPANISH HARLEM – For the New York Yankees, there are always one or two positions that are up for grabs in spring training. It’s usually because they didn’t fill them in free agency or they have an eye on prospect that they think can fill the role. It didn’t work out with Clint Frazier and Miguel Andujar, but that doesn’t mean you stop trying to develop young talent to eventually take over. Let’s look at some of those now for Aaron Boone & Co.
Leftfield
At this moment the favorite to win the job is Aaron Hicks – and all Yankee fans know how that turned out last year. I would never say I hate Hicks as person because that would be insane, but I do dislike him as a baseball player. I’m tired of seeing him strike out or walk. It drives me crazy and it’s time to give Oswaldo Cabrera a shot to be an everyday player. I’m not asking that Cabrera start every game LF but he should be in the lineup getting regular at-bats. Hicks will play and I’m fine with that but he should not be out there everyday.
Prediction – Hicks wins the job anyway.
Shortstop
This is the position that has made the most noise in camp. The Yankees are begging Oswald Peraza or Anthony Volpe to win the job but they also won’t force the issue. Volpe is having a terrific spring so far and probably has the most upside. But you can’t deny that Pereza deserves to be on this team. Isiah Kiner-Falefa did a good job last season, nothing spectacular, but he is not the future at shortstop for the New York Yankees. My gut tells me they give one of the prospects a shot to start the year.
Prediction – Pereza starts on opening day.
5th Starter
With Frankie Montas out due to the same shoulder injury he dealt with last season, Boone will looking at Clarke Schmidt and Domingo German to replace that 5th starter. German has the most experience and even won 18 games for Yankees in 2019. Schmidt has shown flashes but he hasn’t gotten the chance to go start over a period time to show if he can develop into a quality starter in this league . This won’t be an easy decision but each guy would be deserving of that role.
Prediction – German, but I prefer him in the bullpen.
That’s it for now, come back tomorrow for Johnny Bagohdonuts.
