Can Gleyber Torres continue to evolve as one of the game’s best young players? Did Gio Urshela have a career year last season? Is Luke Voit the answer at first base?
Those are some of the questions Yankees’ fans are pondering as they began their “spring training 2.0” workouts this week in preparation for a July 24 start of the season.
The Yankees infield has the potential to be one of the game’s most potent offensive attacks. They also potentially have one of the tightest defensive units in a tightened and heightened 60-game season. Injuries and COVID-19 infections could severely hamper their overall production.
What can we expect in this unique 2020 season? Here’s a look at each position:
Can Voit stay the course at first? – The power-hitting Voit was seen as the solution at first for the 2019 season before injuries cut his season short to 118 games in which he hit 21 homers with 59 RBIs. When he returned late last summer, his future appeared murky as he shared time with power-hitting Mike Ford. This was supposed to be an interesting spring for Voit, especially with some of the shift toward Ford getting the nod at first. Now, it looks like the right-handed Voit and the left-swinging Ford will battle all season and see time at DH.
DJ LeMahieu will be stable at second – LeMahieu’s stance also was debatable until the Yankees didn’t resign Didi Gregorious. Yet, LeMahieu has been one of the best free-agent signings in years, and he had an MVP-type season with a line of 26 homers, 102 RBIs, and a .327 average along with flexibility to play anywhere in the infield. LeMahieu won three Golden Gloves at second with Colorado. Enough said.
What will Torres do for an encore? – With Gregorius gone, Torres has the green light. He played there all throughout the minors, and it should be a smooth transition. The questions of his range and throwing ability were alleged issues to be addressed in March. Still, Torres is an offensive machine at his position, and it will be interesting to see his production in a short stint.
Did Urshela hit his peak last season? – Along with LeMahieu, Urshela also could be considered a team MVP with his performance in 132 games. He hit .314 with 21 homers and 74 RBIs for the Yankees with many clutch hits. Urshela was given the job in March, but Miguel Andujar’s bat should give him a run. If Andjuar can work on his play at third over the next few weeks, he will push Urshela for playing time.
Will Gary Sanchez provide a glimpse of the future? – Everyone is waiting for Sanchez to put the whole package together, both offensively and defensively, where he made a team-high 15 errors last season . Before COVID-19 shut down the spring, Sanchez had shown a different defensive look behind the plate. He is a key to the Yankees making a run this season. Kyle Higashioka, Chris Iannetta, and Josh Thole will provide depth.
With the likely expansion of rosters, figuring out the bench will be a major issue before the season begins.
On paper, though, the Yankees’ infield has the potential for a blockbuster season.
