Source: Jon Durr/Getty Images North America
Tyler Austin,
Tyler Wade and
Tyler Webb (I'm not focusing on the other
Tyler who got booed off the mound last week- blacking that one out) are representative of our team's future and our team's youth. Exciting to see these guys make it to the Big Leagues after proving themselves in Double and Triple-A respectively. We have a team full of Tylers and I am loving it...here's why.
Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America
Tyler Austin: our brand new first baseman who fought hard to make it here after breaking his foot in mid-February. According to
CBS Sports,
"The 25-year-old slashed only .241/.300/.458 in his first taste of the big leagues in 2016, so he could still require further seasoning before receiving regular at-bats with he Yankees again." He made a lot of noise while at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he batted .287/.357/.494 in 24 games since returning from his foot injury in May. Although he took on the DH role in last night's game due to a sore hamstring, the Yankees are hopeful that this Tyler will comfortably find his way into the first base role and alleviate any anxiety this position has given the team since
Mark Teixeira's retirement at the end of last season.
Tyler Wade: 22-year-old utility player who the Yankees called up last night after the crushing injury to
Starlin Castro, one the team's best hitters this season. "
As of Monday night, Wade was hitting .313 with five home runs and 24 stolen bases in 70 games at Triple A. He had put himself in the conversation to start at shortstop at the end of spring training with Didi Gregorius on the disabled list, but the role went to (Ronald) Torreyes," reported
NJ.com. Earlier this spring,
Joe Girardi asked the front office "if they had anybody they could turn into a super-utility type in the mold of the Red Sox's (
Brock) Holt or the Cubs' (
Ben) Zobrist" and the head of player development, singled out Wade. The Yankees see a lot of promise in this Tyler, who may have found window of opportunity while Castro gets healthy.
Source: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Webb: A left hand pitcher who the Yankees brought up to face the Texas Rangers this past weekend. He pitched shut out innings on Saturday and Sunday for us and he may be the middle reliever we have needed (a worthy replacement for that other Tyler). "
Webb was drafted in the 10th round in 2013 from the University of South Carolina. He was a shutdown reliever in college, posting a 1.47 ERA with a 60/14 K/BB and 17 saves in 43 innings in his senior season, and has remained effective in pro ball, notably in 2016 when he fanned 82 in 72 innings in Triple-A with a 3.59 ERA," reported
SB Nation. The 26-year-old could be used in a specialty role against left-handed hitters. This Tyler may also be in a position to do some great work for Yankees with the bull pen needing some revision as we head into the final days of June.
Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America
That's my preview of the team full of Tylers. Let's hope they help the Yankees reinvent themselves as they move into the mid-part of the season and look to rebound from injuries that have set them back tremendously. As fans have said to me over Twitter, it is a long season, be patient. I'm OK with that as long as I know we have relief in a few guys named Tyler.
--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing EditorFollow me on Twitter: @suzieprof