MIKE TAUCHMAN: THE ULTIMATE PROFESSIONAL

Source: NY Daily News

Paul O'Neill arrived to the Stadium early yesterday and he saw Mike Tauchman in center field practicing his throws.  Tauchman made the start in center field against the Baltimore Orioles last night.  2019 has been some kind of year for Tauchman. Not only has he stepped up at the plate where he was needed but he has been a force in the field.  His offense and defense have made him invaluable for the Yankees and the fact that he is the ultimate professional when it comes to being committed, hustling and just working hard to improve his craft makes him incredibly likable.

Source: Newsday

"I think that the great thing about it–playing for the Yankees–is just the way they pursue excellence,” said Tauchman in an interview with MLB Radio earlier this week. “From the owner down to the bat boys, everybody is kind of pulling the rope in the same direction and it’s about winning baseball games and that’s the expectation," reported Fansided.

Source: Newsday

Some say that Tauchman's hot streak will eventually cool down but from what I have seen, he appears to be just getting started.  And when all the controversy with Clint Frazier arose earlier this season after his poor defense and equally poor attitude, the Yankees chose Tauchman over his teammate Frazier to step in when there was a hole in the outfield.

Source: YES Network

"Tauchman isn’t unseating Judge, Hicks, Stanton or Gardner. But Tauchman has been one of the best defensive outfielders in the game since he’s been playing regularly, and he’s a legitimate power threat. The playoffs call for specialization, though, and Gardner’s defense more than works for an extra outfielder," reported NJ.com.

I love Gardy.  He hustles and gets all fired up both inside the dugout and on the field.  But Tauchman is a silent force with a lot of heart and soul.  I love what he is doing this season and his batting average appears to rise with every game.  Batting just under .300, Tauchman has proven that he belongs in the lineup and I think if anyone thinks Stanton is just going to walk in and unseat him is just plain crazy.

Source: Newsday

Sometimes you need a reset as a player by going to another club and another city to compete.  Guys like Tauchman, DJ LeMahieu and Gio Urshela are having the career best years with the New York Yankees.  Let's hope it continues for that trio- frankly all of them are ultimate professionals in my book.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof