Edwin Encarnacion

New York Yankees: Should Edwin Encarnacion be benched?

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After having a crazy-hot ALDS for the New York Yankees, Edwin Encarnacion has cooled down in the ALCS against the Houston Astros – a ton.

In Encarnacion’s last 12 at-bats, he’s only recorded one hit. His performance from the ALDS to now are polar opposites.

He’s looked lost in his at-bats thus far. Known for getting into deep counts and making pitchers work, Encarnacion has been swinging at first pitches and making weak contact. He’s been in big spots with the chance of knocking in some huge runs and let his team down.

Should Encarnacion be benched?

A 15-year-veteran knows the game completely. He knows that there’s gonna be ups and downs, and the only way to get out of them is to continue to get at-bats. Encarnacion also seems like a creature of habit. If he’s benched, it could throw off a pattern he’s had for the whole postseason.

It seems that this is just a mechanical problem. Popping a lot of balls up, just getting underneath the pitch a bit. There isn’t a problem with contact or timing, it’s just something with his bat through the zone.

15 years in the league, he’ll get out of this. He knows what he has to do to make adjustments to succeed again. When he’s on, he could be absolutely dangerous at the plate. Fans saw this during the ALDS.

If the New York Yankees do decide to sit him, Stanton could be an option to DH (if he’s healthy). Aaron Hicks could also be an option.

New York Yankees: Aaron Boone might have to make a difficult decision in batting order

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New York Yankees, Edwin Encarnacion

The New York Yankees fell to the Houston Astros Sunday night in heartwrenching fashion. Eleven innings of pure dominance from the Yankees pitching wasn’t enough to secure the win as J.A. Happ allowed a home run in the bottom of the innings to Carlos Correa, the Yankee killer from two years ago in game two of the ALCS.

Despite the quality of pitching for Aaron Boone and his team, the offense was the primary issue, and he might be forced into a difficult decision if the struggles continue for two players in the hitting order.

Boone and the Yankees have established a home run philosophy that generally ignores the strikeout totals and focuses solely on long ball production and the psychological toll it has on the opposing team. A homerun represents power, intimidation, and the change in momentum.

Aaron Judge’s two-run blast in the fourth inning against Justin Verlander was a massive blow to the Houston confidence, but considering the home-game factor, they were able to rally and secure the victory in a must-win game. The decision Boone will have to make is — does he considering switching out Edwin Encarnacion and Brett Gardner for two other options?

Encarnacion finished Sunday 0-for-5 with three strikeouts and Gardner 2-for-5 with two strikeouts. The latter had an impressive at-bat towards the end of the sixth inning to rack up the pitch count on Verlander, and his hard ground ball to second-base that bounced off Jose Altuve’s glove would have scored DJ LeMahieu from second base if it wasn’t for Correa’s impressive throw to home.

Encarnacion is the real question mark, though, as he’s 0-for-9 with six strikeouts over two games, even failing to contribute in any fashion during the New York Yankees 7-0 trouncing over the Astros in game-one.

Who could the New York Yankees replace Encarnacion with?

Sometimes, choosing to make a change in the hitting order is the right move, and switching Edwin out is in the interest of the team. Moving Gary Sanchez up in the four-spot could make sense since the probability of success increases based on Encarnacion’s struggles and the unlikelihood of him turning it around against Gerrit Cole.

Sanchez is a must-start on the team regardless, so moving him up couldn’t hurt. Boone would then, theoretically, insert Aaron Hicks into the lineup at No. 7, giving the Yanks a reliable switch-hitting option later on in the batting order. They could also elect to utilize Cameron Maybin more frequently, considering his consistency as of late and ability to run the bases well.

There are a lot of difficult decisions Boone will have to make during the postseason, but taking Encarnacion out of the lineup must be one of them.

EXTRA:

Encarnacion’s struggles makes the decision to drop Luke Voit that much more questionable. After Voit was dropped, Boone stated:

“He was disappointed,” Boone said. “Understandably, you know? My biggest message to him now is just is as tough a time as it’s been for him of late last coming back from this (sports hernia and he’s) doing all he can to stay as mentally engaged as possible because it can flip on a dime and you’re right in the middle of things tomorrow based on a number of things that could happen, or you’re still very much in play if we’re able to get past this and enter the World Series.”

With Giancarlo Stanton suffering a quad injury, the Yanks could be in trouble, but they have quality support to supplement injuries.

 

 

New York Yankees news, 10/15 – Aaron Boone to make some changes in hitting order

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New York Yankees, Aaron Boone

Good Morning, New York Yankees Fans!

After a severe loss to the Astros on Sunday, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone will need to find a way to inject more offensive power into the batting order. With Edwin Encarnacion and Brett Gardner accounting for five strikeouts on the night, switching out one of those two options might be beneficial for the team.

In all likelihood, moving Gary Sanchez up the order to the No. 4 spot and replacing him with either Cameron Maybin or Aaron Hicks makes the most sense. Encarnacion hasn’t recorded a hit in two games over nine at-bats. Maybin offers great base-running and a consistent bat (as of late), and Hicks is a switch hitter than can pose a problem towards the end of the lineup against opposing pitchers.

Boone has some tough decisions to make, especially in the first home game with Luis Severino starting. If the Yankees ace can go five innings, they will be in good shape handling the rest of the game, but the offense will have fits with Astros star pitcher, Gerrit Cole, who enters the game with a 0.57 ERA over two games this postseason.

Tackling Cole and putting a few runs on the board will be difficult, but there’s a reason they saved him for the first game of the away-stretch. The Yankees, however, could take advantage of Cole’s deficiency this past season. As one of the best pitchers in baseball, Cole struggled a bit in the long ball department, allowing 29 home runs and a career-high 16.9% home run fly ball rate. He allowed ten homers more this year than in 2018, which the Yanks will undoubtedly be looking at when they build their lineup on Tuesday.

That fact alone could be the deciding factor in keeping Encarnacion in the lineup or not — utilizing his power and launch angle against Cole. Beating the Astros pitcher will come down to specific pitches and who is fortunate enough to catch one of his mistakes.

Fangraphs gives a fantastic description of this topic, which I will post below!

Nonetheless–

Your top news of the day:

Jake Mailhot – How Did Eric Sogard Hit a Home Run Off Gerrit Cole?

Mike Axisa – Yankees vs. Astros: Giancarlo Stanton questionable for ALCS Game 3 due to quad injury

George A. King III – Reggie Jackson’s profane rant accidentally reaches Giancarlo Stanton

Tom Verducci – Inside the Surprising Pitching Change That Cost Aaron Boone and the Yankees
Alexander Wilson – New York Yankees: Aaron Boone mistake costs Yankees game 2 of ALCS

New York Yankees: Two injured players lead the way to victory

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New York Yankees, Edwin Encarnacion

The New York Yankees started game one of the postseason against the Minnesota Twins with a bang. Tallying ten runs, the Bombers continued to show their run support and overall efficiency at the plate, but it was their formerly injured players that stepped up and produced.

Both Edwin Encarnacion and Giancarlo Stanton provided fantastic days to help give the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the series. The first baseman went 2-for-5 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI, and the left fielder for the Yankees earned three walks on the day.

Efficiency can present itself in numerous different ways, but getting on base is the ultimate goal, and Stanton did his job amidst negative criticism for his lack of “clutchness.”

Aside from the top portion of the order, the bottom three hitters all had porous days. Inconsistencies in the lineup are expected, but the bottom of the order, made up of Gio Urshela, Didi Gregorius, and Gary Sanchez, went 0-for-9 on Friday night. They must elevate their game and produce to gain positive momentum and help them succeed moving forward.

How did the New York Yankees pitching perform?

Starter James Paxton went 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. The bullpen was stellar after Paxton was relieved, giving up just two hits over the final 5.8 innings. Interestingly, manager Aaron Boone utilizes starter J.A. Happ as a relief option, which seemed to work considering his two strikeout inning to set up Aroldis Chapman for the save.

The Yankees face off against the Twins in game two of the series at 5 PM on Saturday. Starter Masahiro Tanaka will take the mound in an attempt to secure a confident league. This will be an essential game for the Bombers to solidify their advantage and give Luis Severino a comfortable lead heading into just his fourth start of the season.

New York Yankees: Is James Paxton in danger of missing any playoff time?

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New York Yankees, James Paxton

As if almost losing Edwin Encarnación wasn’t enough, the New York Yankees nearly lost starting pitcher James Paxton last week in his final start of the regular season. Paxton threw only 21 pictures before leaving with discomfort in his left glute. He was diagnosed with a nerve irritation but was feeling better after rest and medication.

This ailment was undoubtedly a result of fatigue, and Paxton has recently picked up his game exponentially to help the Yankees and their starting pitching rotation woes. This season, he has earned a 3.82 ERA with 15 wins and six losses. He has pitched the second-most in his entire career in regards to innings with 150.2. He also has the second amount of strikeouts, with 186.

Where does James Paxton fit into the New York Yankees playoff plans?

Paxton was slated to start game one of the ALDS against the Minnesota Twins on Friday, and that reality still stands. Garnering the starting assignment for the first game of an important series will certainly test Paxton’s health and consistency. The fact that he’s been feeling better and should be ready to go is an excellent sign for the Yankees or injury-plagued team.

“We were proactive to get an evaluation on it, probably more so because of the time of year than maybe we would’ve acted if it wasn’t this time of year, just to determine if there was anything we’re not aware of going on there,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman said on Sunday. “Now he’s on some medication that should really assist him in the next 24-48 hours to have it fully resolved. That’s our expectations, so I kind of have that one in the rearview mirror.”

The Bombers will likely be without first baseman Luke Voit and fortunately will have Edwin Encarnación for the postseason after he successfully progressed through his simulation and was deemed healthy. This will provide a huge boost for the hitting order.

Ford is hitting .259 with 12 homers and 25 RBIs over 143 at-bats this season. He has been stellar offensively for the Yankees and will make a reliable option for the postseason. Considering how lackluster Voit has been at the plate recently, Ford should be an easy decision to make for manager Aaron Boone.

New York Yankees receive great injury news prior to start of ALDS

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New York Yankees, Edwin Encarnacion

With the start of the ALDS just one day away, the New York Yankees received fantastic injury news that will undoubtedly help them succeed in the playoffs. While it came down to a near a game-time decision, Edwin Encarnacion will be available for the postseason and starting catcher Gary Sanchez will return as well.

The New York Yankees have had incredibly bad luck with injuries:

The team has been decimated by injuries the entire 2019 campaign, setting an MLB record with 30 players on the injured list. They nearly started their first postseason series against the Minnesota Twins without two influential players in Sanchez and Encarnacion.

Sanchez, who is returning from a groin injury, suffered several weeks ago, played in the most recent three-game series against the Texas Rangers. He went 1-for-6, striking out four times. Hopefully, the groin will not give out, and he can manage to stay healthy for the playoffs, as the Yankees desperately need his defensive qualities.

“I felt very good,” Sanchez said through a spanish translator. “Health is very important and felt great. … Definitely (feel like the timing is coming back), seeing the ball better and looking forward to Friday and hoping the improvement continues and I feel like that on Friday.”

Encarnacion, on the other hand, suffered an oblique strain that had limited him severely since September 12. He was expected to return last Friday, but he was not mentally prepared to take live at-bats. Luckily, he was able to prove enough during a simulation program to ensure his availability on Friday.

“I do,” Boone said Wednesday, as per SNY. “Smoked a couple balls out there, hit a homer and yesterday really cut loose with some. I think, in his mind, he swung aggressively at a couple of (pitches) where he swung and missed — that’s where you’re going to notice (rust) probably. I think he got through that. So I think yesterday was a little confidence booster for him as far as availability to let it go and coming in today feeling like he’s ready. So hopefully we get through today and make that decision.”

It’s expected that pitcher James Paxton will start game one against the Twins, and having Sanchez behind the plate would provide a considerable boost to his potential success. It’s still undetermined how much the Yankees will use the catcher, but I imagine they throw him right into the mix as relying on Austine Romine might not be prioritized.

New York Yankees: Edwin Encarnacion Ready For ALDS

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New York Yankees, Edwin Encarnacion

New York Yankees DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion should be ready to play in the ALDS versus the Minnesota Twins. Encarnacion hasn’t played since September 12th. He was out with an oblique strain.

He was supposed to play sometime during the team’s final road-trip, but his return date kept getting pushed back. Aaron Boone finally said that he would just get a ton of simulated at-bats during the off days.

Boone said that Edwin looked and felt 100% in his simulated at-bats on Tuesday and Wednesday. He had “hard cuts” and seemed ready to go. He could play the field if needed, but Boone wants him to stay in the DH role.

Wade And Ford Stay, Estrada And Frazier Go?

Though nothing is official, rumors and speculation show that Tyler Wade and Mike Ford will be on the roster, while Clint Frazier and Thairo Estrada won’t be. Wade and Ford could be reserves, but what we have heard and their performances show, they deserve spots.

Tyler Wade put a celebratory post on social media the other day, pumping fans up for Friday. If he wasn’t on the roster, he likely wouldn’t of done that.

Mike Ford has reportedly taken Clint Frazier’s locker, meaning that Frazier won’t be with the team for the playoffs, but should be on standby. Ford taking his locker is obviously an indicator that he may have a roster spot.

We have also heard that the team doesn’t plan to include Thairo Estrada on the postseason roster.  These are just speculations, be we do know for sure that Encarnacion will be ready for the ALDS.

 

 

New York Yankees could leave slugger out for the postseason

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New York Yankees, Luke Voit

Midway through the 2019 campaign leaving first baseman Luke Voit off the postseason roster would seem ludicrous for the New York Yankees. In recent days, he is slumping with a 1-for-32 stat line. Voit boasted a .886 OPS before going down with a sports hernia injury.

Ever since Voit returned, his statistical totals have plummeted, and he rejects the idea that the injury may be playing a part. He was hitting .263/.378/.464 before September, and is now slashing .194/.326/.347 over 86 at-bats.

If his lingering sports hernia injury is causing him problems, sitting him for the postseason might not be the worst idea. The Yankees and manager Aaron Boone could elect to side with Mike Ford as the backpup first baseman moving forward. Ford has been an offensive machine during the last few weeks of the season, slashing a power-centric .259/.350/.559 with 12 homeruns.

His strikeout rate of 17.2% over 163 plate appearances makes him a safe option for the postseason. Utility man DJ LeMahieu will likely feature at first base on the defensive side of the ball, which would make Ford an alternative and potential designated hitter. The hope is that Edwin Encarnacion, another Yankee slugger, will be available for the playoffs. Boone recently stated that Edwin was not in the right mental space and still working through an oblique strain he picked up several weeks ago.

With the series against the Minnesota Twins starting on Friday, the Yankees are hopeful that Encarnacion will be able to return, which would likely force Voit out of the Yankees first-round matchup. It is undoubtedly an unfortunate circumstance for a player that was so productive earlier in the year, but the postseason is a tricky beast and requires only the best talent that is carrying positive momentum.

Extra New York Yankees quotes:

“If I am not 100 percent, I am close,’’ said Encarnacion two days ago.

“Not 100 percent but close, 80 to 85,’’ the first baseman added. “I am playing catching, running and doing everything.’’

 

 

New York Yankees will have to make a tough decision at first base for postseason

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New York Yankees, Yankees, NYY, Luke Voit

With Edwin Encarnacion returning to the New York Yankees for the postseason, the first base position has a bit of confusion revolving around it. The options including Encarnacion, Luke Voit, and Mike Ford, are a tricky bunch to sift through, despite the midseason trade acquisition likely filling in as a designated hitter. In that scenario, it ultimately boils down to Voit and Ford, both of which have had their ups and downs this season.

Voit, who suffered a sports hernia and was on the injured list from July 31 to August 29, has been working through a significant slump. Just in September, Voit is hitting .194 (14-for-72) with only two homers, eight RBIs, and a .673 OPS over 22 games. More recently, he is 1-for-32 at the plate.

What New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has said about Voit:

“He’s definitely hit into some tough luck,” Boone said Saturday. “Looking back into last home stand, where he hit a number of balls on the screws for outs, wasn’t getting a lot and then all of a sudden you can press a little bit. I think he’s probably been pressing a little bit, wanting it a little too bad instead of just trusting your work and trusting the game plan you have going into that game and understanding that he’s a really good hitter. Hopefully he’ll get some results here the last couple of days and get a little momentum going for himself.”

Even if Encarnacion makes his return from an oblique strain, the first base position remains wide open. Ford has been the better option lately considering his .259 batting average and 12 homers through 50 games. The first baseman has proven he can be a quality hitter at the plate and serviceable in the field.

In September alone, Ford is slashing .364/.447/.727 with three homers and 10 RBIs. His play this month has proven he can be a quality option and he has the positive momentum to carry into the postseason. He has the clear-cut advantage over Voit who has been struggling lately since his injury.

Alternatively, the Yankees could stick with DJ LeMahieu at first base given his defensive qualities and place Edwin Encarnación in the DH spot. That would give manager Aaron Boone one backup first baseman which is where Voit and Ford come into play. The former had the job locked up before his injury, but the Yankees cannot take any chances and risk any potential offensive production in the playoffs.

Voit has still managed to get .278 with 36 homers and 98 RBIs over his last 165 games, and the attitude and energy he brings make him a vital cog in the clubhouse.

This decision will not be an easy one, but it ultimately might come down to offensive production and who can offer more in that category. I believe that Ford is the better option, primarily because the hernia Voit suffered a few weeks back is undoubtedly still bothering him, even if he rejects that reality.

New York Yankees injury news: Edwin Encarnacion injury looking more serious

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New York Yankees, Edwin Encarnacion

The New York Yankees need all of the help they can get after a 2019 season plagued with injuries. The latest two being starting catcher Gary Sanchez and first baseman/designated hitter, Edwin Encarnacion. The latter of the two has been fighting to return to the team before the start of the postseason, but that reality is seeming bleaker.

The potency of the Yankees batting order relies on their sluggers and ability to hit home runs to increase scoring production.

The Yankees heavily relied on home runs to help fuel their offense, and Encarnacion plays a big part in that, having already hit 34 homers this year. It is expected that Encarnacion will be ready for Friday’s game one against the Minnesota Twins, but manager Aaron Boone has stated that he is not mentally prepared and needs more time to recover.

Encarnación hasn’t played since September 12 in Detroit after suffering an injury on a home run at that. The hope was to get the first baseman back against the Texas Rangers before the start of the postseason, but that reality is quickly looking like a false promise.

“If I’m not 100 percent, I’m close,” Encarnacion said after Saturday’s 9-4 loss to Texas at Globe Life Park. “Like I said, I’ll keep on working to get there.”

 

“The way I look at it, with Edwin back and healthy and strong, I very much envision him in the middle of our lineup, probably as the DH” through the playoffs, Boone said. “He can play first too but I do envision Edwin in there.”

The new hope is that Encarnacion will participate in a rehab assignment to prepare him for the playoffs. With the return of Giancarlo Stanton and his usage in the outfield, Edwin will likely slide in as a designated hitter. Keeping him healthy throughout the playoffs will be difficult considering his injury woes this season, but any setback could impair the success of the team.

Additional New York Yankees injury news:

One silver lining is the return of Gary Sanchez, who the Yankees desperately need for their postseason run. The starting catcher’s arrival on Friday was a massive boost to the team and will be significant on defense and offense. The Yankees must take precaution with his injuries, especially given his susceptibility to picking up groin ailments.