The New York Yankees are sitting in a comfortable position in the ALDS as they lead the Minnesota Twins, the league’s best home run hitting team, 2-0 on the series. Two home games for the Bombers in a dynamic environment at Yankee Stadium have fueled them to a fantastic start.
Manager Aaron Boone’s side has put up a whopping 18 runs in the first two contests of the postseason. Their long-ball centric mentality has not failed them, racking up three since the inception of the series, but their run support in other categories has also been stellar.
The New York Yankees are firing on all cylinders:
To help the solid scoring production, the Yankees have had great pitching performances from James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka individually, putting up nine innings total with four earned runs. Tanaka’s performance on Saturday night was magisterial, blanking the Twins for the most part over five innings, but the biggest play of the night came off the bat of Didi Gregorious, who smashed a deep Grand Slam to the second level in right field.
Gregorius turns 30 in February, and his contract expires after the playoffs, meaning the Yankees will have to make a difficult decision on his future with the club. This season, Didi hit .238 after returning from a significant injury to his throwing elbow. However, he’s one of the leaders on the team and clubhouse favorites, similar to Brett Gardner. He certainly can still play an influential role, and if he’s willing to accept less money to feature on the Yankees, they shouldn’t think twice about extending him.
Home runs like the one showed in the clip prove his worth, and justify the Bombers resining him as a rotational infielder. Having a secondary shortstop to fill in due to injuries is always a good idea. Considering his qualities, Didi can be what Troy Tulowitzki never was for the Yankees in 2019.
Gregorius did have a cold streak towards the end of the season, and he responded by saying, per Sports Illustrated:
“I’ve been doing the same work I’ve been doing since I got here,” Gregorius said when asked about a late-season slide. “I didn’t try to change anything, just try to swing at strikes. That’s one thing for me right now and be patient. I’m just all over the place swinging at almost every ball. I think that’s one thing, and be aggressive in the strike zone. That’s what I’m trying to do right now.”
Considering the Yankees’ inevitable bout of injuries next season knock on wood, LeMahieu can always move around the infield to fill spots of need, Torres can move back to second base, and Gregorius can be plugged into the shortstop role.
The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins are currently in a historic race for most home runs as a team, in a single season. Near the end of August, the Twins broke the Yankees’ record for most home runs by a team in a single season. The Yankees’ bats have not slowed down, with all of these injuries, and have roared back to take the lead near the end of the season.
The current stats of team home runs has the New York Yankees at 305, and the Twins at 303 (MLB.com). The Yankees easily won the race and broke the record last season with 267 home runs as a team (MLB.com). A large part of that total is the top three leaders for the team, Torres (38), Sanchez (34), and Gardner (28) (MLB.com). Out of everyone in the lineup that can mash baseballs, who would have thought Brett Gardner would be a top-three home run hitter on the team this year?
What could be the explanation for this power surge?
Aaron Judge was asked in an interview whether the Yankees could break their own record at the beginning of the season and responded, “We are going to crush that number.”
Clearly, Judge was right, but no one expected this power surge from the Twins. The Twins have made this race unprecedented, with now being the first time a team has reached 300 home runs in a single season.
The possibility of “juiced baseballs” could explain why so many home runs have been hit this year. That can be a misconception of the fact that pitcher’s overall fastball velocity has increased over the last decade. Also, that idea would not explain why strikeouts have increased over the last decade as well. Spin rates are now a big part of grading and analyzing pitchers’ stuff at the big league level. There are many other variables that lead to these statements, but the game has just changed in a positive way for both the offensive and defensive facets of baseball.
The New York Yankees have struggled with significant injuries this season, something that nobody saw coming.
They have lost starting catcher Gary Sanchez multiple times, Giancarlo Stanton for a majority of the season, and starting pitcher Luis Severino until just two weeks ago. The Yankees were recently swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in a two-game series at Tropicana Field.
Their offense was lackluster, scoring just one run in two contests. However, their pitching was solid, which is an excellent sign for the team moving forward.
The New York Yankees have relied on their hitters all season:
The Yankees’ offensive run production has been the catalyst behind their successful season. With a 102-57 record, they own the third-best record in the league. Only the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers have higher winning percentages. But the Yankees are in a much more difficult position than both of those teams for the postseason, as their offense has run stagnant and their pitching is still unproven.
Gaining back Severino will undoubtedly provide a significant boost, but he has only pitched in two games and isn’t yet up to speed and capable of facing premium talent in the playoffs.
The lack of run production recently could be a hint at something far more dangerous than just personal injuries. Team-wide fatigue could be settling in, especially for the players that have remained healthy throughout the year and have supplemented the loss of injuries.
Players such as DJ LeMahieu, Brett Gardner, and Gleyber Torres have helped compensate for the loss of talented starters this season. Torres stated last week that his legs felt weak and when he slipped in the outfield and missed the next two games, it was a sign of fatigue for the team and what could plague them during the postseason.
The Yankees, however, clinched a playoff spot weeks ago. Now, they are just fighting for home-field advantage. There is no question that they want to win more games, but they don’t need to. That is the difference between giving their all and resting before entering elimination rounds. There are seven days from playing a meaningful game and must be cautious with their starters, ensuring they rest them as a precaution.
When New York Yankees star second baseman Gleyber Torres hit the deck on a throw to first base, the entire fanbase gasped simultaneously. Luckily, Torres has escaped any significant injury and has been left out of the lineup as a precaution. Missing a second straight game, manager Aaron Boone gave Torres another nights rest to aid his fatigued right hamstring.
The Yankees need to be extremely careful with their star infielder and ensure he is prepared to produce during the postseason. After what seemed to be a severe injury, Torres told Boone that his legs felt weak. The translation boils down to fatigue, which is why the Yankees are giving him extra time to heal.
“Gleyber’s good. I just decided yesterday that I wanted to give him one more day going into the off day, but I’m obviously encouraged by the MRI and just from speaking with him, he feels good,” the Yankees manager stated.
The 22-year-old is hitting .284/.343/.546 with 38 homers and 90 RBIs over 140 games this season. A second consecutive stellar performance only attests to his influence and how important he is to the team moving forward. He expects to return on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay rays at Tropicana Field, and that is an excellent sign for a team that has been plagued by injuries the entire season.
Extra Injury News For The New York Yankees:
Starting outfielder Aaron hicks is working his way through the first stage of his second attempt at a throwing rehab program. Surgery was a possibility for Hicks, but he is seeming to respond to rehabilitation and could be back in the lineup for the start of the playoffs.
As per the NY Daily News:
“Certainly long-term. He’s been encouraged by how he’s felt and how he’s feeling throwing the ball. But that said, he hasn’t started hitting or anything like that, so it’s hard to envision him being back at some point (this season),” Boone said. “But I know, in his mind anyway, he’s going to work hard to hopefully put himself in a position. But he’s got to continue to progress and see how the elbow responds, especially when he really starts cranking it.”
The New York Yankees and their entire fan base held their breath on Friday night as star second baseman Gleyber Torres took an awkward tumble that left him curled up on the grass.
With Torres’ back leg seeming to slide causing him to lose his footing, an injury appeared to be present; however, he managed to escape anything serious, jumping up after a few seconds on the ground.
Torres explained the injury to manager Aaron Boone as “weakness in his legs.” My translation — “Fatigue in his legs.”
“The way he rolled over and the turf gave out little bit on him, that’s a ‘Hold your breath moment,’ ’’ Boone said, as per the NY Post. “I think he’s gonna be OK.”
The injuries plaguing the Yankees will undoubtedly affect their success during the postseason, and losing Torres for any amount of games would be devastating. Hopefully, the ailment will be nothing more than an overextension that won’t keep him out for too long.
Torres has been one of the Yankees’ top players this season, leading the team with 38 homers and a .284 batting average. His influence on the team is significant, and they need both his bat and glove for the playoffs.
We’ve obviously dealt with a lot of [injuries] over the course of the season,’’ Brett Gardner said. “He’s been one of the few guys that have lasted through everything. I was concerned, and obviously happy when he got back up. … Hopefully it’s something that’s not too serious.
New York Yankees’ Gary Sanchez injury update:
After pulling his groin on September 12, Gary Sanchez has spent time rehabbing. As of now, he’s out indefinitely and could miss postseason games with the ailment. However, there’s optimism he will return for the start of the playoffs, a necessity for the Yankees who would be forced to utilize Austine Romine and Kyle Higashioka as their starter and backup respectively.
Gleyber Torres, a 22-year-old second baseman and shortstop from Caracas, Venezuela, stunned the baseball universe in 2018 with his flashy personality and good-natured attitude. Torres slashed .271/.340/.480/.820 with a .349 wOBA and a 121 wRC+. His stat sheet also included 24 HR and 77 RBI in 484 plate appearances. He was also an All-Star, All-Rookie Team and Rookie of the Month in May.
In 2016, Torres played in Scottsdale, Arizona and Tampa, Florida, gaining exposure at a rapid pace and receiving numerous awards and honors. To name off a few, he was awarded All-Prospect Team, Most Valuable Player and Rising Stars. This trend continued in 2017, as Torres slashed .287/.383/.480/.863 in 235 plate appearances with Double-A Trenton Thunder and Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
In 2018, Torres continued to improve on his craft and inched ever so closer to the majors. With Single-A Tampa Tarpons and Triple-A Scranton, Torres slashed .345/.403/.500/.903 in 67 plate appearances. At this point in his minor league career, Torres was more than prepared for the majors and deserved to shine in the spotlight. On April 22, 2018, he made his debut vs the Toronto Blue Jays. Although Torres didn’t make an immediate impact, going 0 for 4, time itself would eventually get the last laugh.
Fast forward to Sep. 16, 2019. In 558 plate appearances, Torres is hitting .284/.344/.544/.889 with a .365 wOBA and a 129 wRC+. Among qualified second basemen and shortstops, Torres is leading the majors with a whopping 36 homers and has added 91 RBI to his collection. To make this achievement sound even more remarkable, Torres is only in the 47 percentile range for exit velocity and 34 percentile range for hard-hit %.
Torres is also outperforming his peripherals. For example, he is expected to finish the season with a .265 BA, .492 SLG, and a .350 wOBA, but possesses a .287 BA, .550 SLG and a .373 wOBA. His BA has increased by .022 points and his wOBA by .023 points. SLG is the important stat to note, as it has increased by .058, which is quite a drastic spike.
Torres is a scorching-hot tank and continues to produce offensively, but he is not at his full potential. It’s blatantly obvious that his baserunning and defensive abilities are below average at best. The question that continues circulating around social media? Why is Torres below average at baserunning and defense?
Let’s begin with his baserunning abilities. This season, Torres has obtained a -0.6 BsR, which includes stolen bases and times caught stealing. He has stolen 5 bases this season but has been caught stealing twice. Diving deeper into analytics, Torres has a -0.7 UBR, which doesn’t include stolen bases and times caught stealing, 0.2 wGDP and a -0.1 wSB. If your brain is already melting from the inside out, bear in mind that all of this information is important.
League averages are beneficial when attempting to value a player and his production. As discussed earlier, Torres has a -0.6 BsR. According to Fangraphs, 0.4 BsR is the league average. Still, need evidence? Torres has a -0.7 UBR and a -0.1 wSB. The league average? 0.4 UBR and a 0.0 wSB. While these stats aren’t atrocious by any means, Torres is without a doubt, below average at base running.
The video below shows some examples of why Torres is a below-average base runner. It’s extremely easy to remember the highlight reels, but difficult to remember each individual mistake a player commits in a season.
Now for his defensive abilities, which have been a major drawback this season. Among fielders with over 1000.0 innings played, Torres has committed 16 errors, which is well below average. Rafael Devers, Jean Segura, Jorge Polanco and Willy Adames are the only fielders with more errors in the league. Although an increasing amount of errors doesn’t equal productivity, it’s important to understand that errors, along with fielding percentage, are not the best tools to utilize when valuing defense. Fielding percentage will be discussed in greater detail in a moment.
Just as we did with base running, let’s examine advanced fielding stats. At second base, Torres has obtained a -4 DRS, .615 RZR, -2.1 UZR and a -8.1 UZR/150. At shortstop, Torres has obtained a 0 DRS, .748 RZR, -2.0 UZR and a -4.8 UZR/150. If we take a glimpse at the league averages, among qualified second basemen, -9 DRS, .733 RZR, 3.5 UZR, and a 0.1 UZR/150 are listed. Among qualified shortstops, 0 DRS, .750 RZR, 2.0 UZR, and a 0.1 UZR/150 are listed.
Just like base running, Torres is below average in every category as a second baseman. As far as shortstops are concerned, he is average when DRS is mentioned, but every other stat across the board clarifies that he is below average. In general, Torres is a below-average fielder but is a much more sufficient shortstop than a second baseman.
As far as fielding percentage is concerned, Torres has a .970 fielding percentage as a second baseman and a .967 fielding percentage as a shortstop this season. Fielding percentage is a subset of misplays. Measuring defense strictly on the basis of assists, putouts and errors ignore a significant chunk of defense. Just as I stated earlier, poor fielding percentage and errors are not qualified by any means, but should not be a common denominator when evaluating defense.
Just as I did for Torres’ base running, here is a video showcasing a few of many errors he has committed on the baseball diamond. Remember that the eye test can be deceiving and doesn’t paint the full picture of a story.
Do I believe that Torres can improve on his baserunning and defensive abilities? Of course, I do. He is only 22 years old and has an endless amount of connections disposed at his fingertips. He is an extraordinary player who is gifted and has the potential to be one of the greatest players of this generation. The only obstacle holding him back is his baserunning and fielding skills.
If you’re interested in learning more, here are some helpful links that will lead you in the right direction:
Aaron Boone, the manager of the New York Yankees, has a fun, but challenging task of creating a lineup for the postseason.
The Yankees currently have the best record in baseball at 95-51, are 7-3 in their last 10 games, and have an 8.5 game lead on the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees have one more two-game set against the Rays, at Tropicana Field, near the end of the month (MLB.com).
With the recent news of Hicks possibly needing Tommy John surgery and Tauchman being out the rest of the season, that opens up some spots in the outfield on the postseason roster. Stanton is the candidate to get the starting spot in left once he comes back off the IL. Clint Frazier could see an increase in playing time as well and will most likely make the postseason roster with all of these injuries.
What should the Starting Lineup Look Like in the Post-Season?
Once everyone comes back from injury, an ideal lineup would look like this: Lemahieu (3B), Judge (RF), Sanchez (C), Encarnacion (DH), Stanton (LF), Voit (1B), Torres (2B), Gregorius (SS), and Gardner (CF). Even for the Astros pitching, that would be a tough lineup to get through. The balanced hitting of Lemahieu and Judge will set up the middle of the order, where all of the power comes from. Then, the sneaky home run leader, Torres, will add value to the bottom-third of the lineup. Gardner, a player that always seems to make something happen, whether it’s drawing a walk or stealing a base, is a perfect nine hitter to set up the top of the lineup.
Some key players off the bench would be: Gio Urshela (3B), for his electric plays on defense and consistent bat, Cameron Maybin (OF), for his veteran presence and ability to everything he asked to do at a high level, and Austin Romine (C), for his ability to lead as a veteran and come up clutch in big moments at the plate. He also seems to bond well with the pitchers and gives them extra confidence the mound.
Also, for the ALDS, Boone should most likely have Paxton start game 1 with his recent success. Tanaka game 2, Severino game 3, and German open up game 4, with Sabathia and/or Happ, right behind Severino or German. Severino will need some time to get back to his full durability audit may not be this season. German has also thrown a lot of innings this year and they should be careful with his arm. This plan would allow The Yankees could be smart to utilize all of their options to keep everyone fresh out of the bullpen.
Using this strategy, Boone can help lead the New York Yankees to their first World Series in a decade.
Gleyber Torres, an infielder for the New York Yankees, after hitting his 35th home run of the year, takes the lead in the home run race over Gary Sanchez.
On Sunday, September 8th, Torres sent a ball that soared over the Green Monster, putting the Yankees on the board in the top of the second inning. Torres has been an underrated part of the Yankee’s power barrage this season. Last season, as a rookie, Torres hit 24 home runs in 123 games (Baseball-Reference). The two-time all-star is overachieving in his offensive game at such a young age. He is only 22 years old and he is already showing the potential of being a great player in this league for a long time. Who would have thought Torres would be the home run leader with less than a month to go in the season?
Torres is already Taking Leadership in the Yankees Offense
On a season average, Torres is batting .279, with 38 home runs, and 102 RBIs (Baseball-Reference). Torres is one of the few Yankees that has stayed healthy nearly all season and the organization should reward him for that. Hopefully, the Yankees will be able to sign him long term, due to his contract expiring at the end of the season.
Torres’s logo on Didi Gregorius’s social media pages is a baby bottle, labeling him as the youngest player on the team. Torres is already playing like he is in his prime and he might need a new logo.
When the Yankees acquired Torres in a trade with the Chicago Cubs back in July of 2016, the Yankees knew they just acquired a future star (MLB.com). They certainly stole him from the Cubs when they resigned Aroldis Chapman in the offseason. He has exceeded expectations in all parts of his game and the Yankees are lucky to have him. His unforeseen power since he has been in the big leagues has been a nice surprise.
Torres should be a big part of the Yankees success in the 2019 postseason and beyond. He has proven he can hit for average and power, even though he is only 6’1″ and 200 pounds. His game can be compared to the Astros’ Jose Altuve. They are both play second base and are five-tool players. Hopefully, he can stay healthy and be a part of the Yankees organization for his whole career. If he continues his stellar play, one day fans may see him in Monument Park in center field.
As the New York Yankees journey forward towards the postseason, they will have to make several tough decisions on who to carry over on their roster. The apparent choices being Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius and more will all feature on the active squad.
However, several injured players will need to return and make an impact during the playoffs, if the Yankees are keen on making a deep run. One of their stars, Giancarlo Stanton, will be needed. As one of the league’s top sluggers, he offers immense value In the lineup and the outfield. He can fill an outfield spot over Mike Tauchman or Camaron Maybin, which would be the ideal scenario for the Yankees.
Injuries continue to plague the team, as Tauchman left the game on Sunday night against the Boston Red Sox with what the team called a tight left calf. He will undergo further testing in New York.
Losing another outfielder is disheartening, which makes the return of stand that much more influential.
What’s the key to a New York Yankees postseason run?
Ultimately, success in the playoffs relies on two things: consistent pitching and run support. The Yankees have one of the two down, and returning Stanton will only help them in that category. So far this season, the Yankees have hit 131 home runs at home and 134 on the road. Not only should that give you an idea of their power, but attests to their ability to hit away from Yankee Stadium, which will be essential during the playoffs.
The Yankees top sluggers account for a significant portion of their home runs. Edwin Encarnación has 11 homers, Aaron judge has 21 homers, Gleyber Torres has 35 homers, and Gary Sanchez has 34 homers. In total, they’ve hit a total of 103 long balls.
Adding Stanton to that grouping will only help the team succeed. Despite his high strikeout rate, that is the sacrifice the Yankees are willing to make for timely runs and compensating for inconsistent pitching. Their biggest weakness is in the starting pitching rotation, as they don’t have a true Ace and are just returning Luis Severino. He will likely not be able to pitch a full game, which will make him an opening option.
After going 6-2 the week before, the New York Yankees started the past week on an unsatisfactory note. Starting their last west coast trip of 2019, the Yankees were swept in three games by the A’s in Oakland. Oakland Coliseum has been the Yankees’ house of horrors in recent years, as evidenced by their 7-21 record in their last 28 games at the Coliseum. The offense was quiet in situations where they typically shined this year and were outdueled on the mound.
Riding a four-game losing streak, the Yankees then headed to Los Angeles, where they would begin a Players Weekend series against the Dodgers. In a battle between the best teams in baseball, a potential World Series preview, the Yankees would leave Chavez Ravine winning two of three.
Overall, they finished the week 2-4, but their series win in LA sent a huge statement. The two games they won came at the expense of the Dodgers’ two aces, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Clayton Kershaw. Their starting pitching was at its finest in all three games. James Paxton and Domingo German both dominated in their starts, while C.C. Sabathia was solid despite only pitching four innings. Finally, in a matchup of two great offenses, the Yankees outscored the defending N.L. Champs 16-5 in three games.
This comes as the calendar is about to turn to September for the stretch run. Riding a nine-game lead over Tampa Bay entering Monday, it would take a near-total collapse for the Yankees to not lock up their first division title since 2012.
El Kraken hits 100th career dinger:
Catcher Gary Sanchez wrote his name into some more history books Friday night in LA. In the third inning, Sanchez hit a home run off Dodgers southpaw Hyun-Jin Ryu, the 100th of his young career. With that long ball, Sanchez not only became the fastest catcher to 100 home runs but also the second-fastest all-time by games played, accomplishing the feat in his 355th career game. Only former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard did it faster, at 325 games.
Sanchez continues to make a strong case for A.L. Comeback Player of the Year. In 91 games played entering Monday, Sanchez is batting .233/.306/.519/.825 with 29 home runs and 67 RBI.
Aaron Judge Heating Up:
After suffering a left oblique strain on April 20, an injury that kept him out for two whole months, slugger Aaron Judge seemed to concern many fans. Coming into the week, Judge had hit 12 home runs, none of which going to left field. This led many to believe that the oblique is still an issue, and may require time in the offseason to heal fully.
The 27-year-old put those fears to rest this past week. In the first game of the Oakland series, Judge hit a home run that went an estimated 467 feet. Not only was this home run crushed, but it was also to deep left field, the first dinger he pulled all year. That one blast, his only hit of the series, was one of few bright spots in an otherwise putrid series.
The blast turned out to be no fluke when the Yankees took on the Dodgers next. Judge ended up with a home run in every game of the series, a sign that the slugger is starting to heat up.
Vs. Dodgers (8/23): W, 6.2 Innings, 5 Hits, 2 ER, 11 SO
All Rise for the honorable first-ever two-time Players of the Week, the Judge and the Big Maple!
As stated earlier, Judge is starting to heat up, pulling home runs with more regularity, including a 467-foot bomb in Oakland. In LA, he hit home runs in every game of the series, including ones off Hyun-Jin Ryu and Clayton Kershaw.
James Paxton was also huge in his start against the Dodgers, opposing Ryu. He lifted the bombers on the mount with 6.2 strong innings, striking out 11. This includes striking out N.L. MVP frontrunner Cody Bellinger three times. More importantly, he lifted the team’s spirits with his performance after the Yankees were swept in Oakland. With the win, Paxton has now won his last five decisions and is 5-0 with a 3.56 ERA in August.
