Bleeding Yankee Blue: WEEK 1: YANKEE SPRING TRAINING NOTES

Sunday, March 5, 2023

WEEK 1: YANKEE SPRING TRAINING NOTES

Well, it is not new news that the Yankees are shopping internally for their starting left fielder. Besides the open outfield position, there's the starting rotation and middle infield positions potentially up for grabs. As the Yankees finish up their first official week of spring training games, how are they fairing? Let's read through BYB's week 1 spring training notes.

Aaron Hicks has a solo shot here, a hit here, but honestly I don't see much more from the incumbent left fielder. Basically, he is the same old, same old Hicks. He hits sporadically, his fielding is average and he offers no visible leadership from the bench.

Source: Associated Press

"After going 0-for-3 against the Pirates, Hicks is 2-for-8 this spring with two singles that would have been outs in past years (due to the shift). He’s not thrilled that those are his only two hits, but he says he’s never been much of a Grapefruit League hitter," reported NJ.com. In Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Aaron Hicks went 1-for-2 with a solo home run. As I said same old, same old. Hicks blames a lot of his hitting woes to the shift, which has essentially be lifted in 2023. As NJ.com reports. "The switch-hitter lost dozens of hits to it over the years while batted left-handed. Finding a hole wasn’t easy batting with three and sometimes four infielders on the right side, especially with one of them always out in short right field turning liners to the outfield grass into easy outs." The shift demise is giving Hicks extra optimism. I say, that's an excuse.

Other left fielders who have an opportunity to make the main roster include Oswaldo Cabrera who has been lighting it up this spring. In fact, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone said he'd like to get Cabrera some reps in center field as well. Willie Calhoun, who was signed by the Yankees to a minor league contract this winter, has been lighting it up this spring. Calhoun is 6-for-11 with a home run and OBP of .615 and an OPS of 1.524. Calhoun is a career outfielder but started as the team's DH this week. He will likely get some reps in left as well. Then there is Rafael Ortega, who also was signed to a minor league contract. On Saturday against the Rays, he started in left and banged a two-run homer in the fourth inning to give the Yankees the lead. Ortega has hit consistently this spring going 3-for-8 with two home runs, 5 RBI with an insane 1.875 OPS.

Source: Associated Press

However, I would like to zero in on Yankees number 2 prospect Jasson Dominguez. The 20-year-old has caught the eye of Yankee great and spring training guest instructor Bernie Williams, who has been impressed with what he's seen so far from Dominguez.

"He’s built like a tank. I remember when I was 20 years old, I was a rail,” Williams said. “He’s got a good attitude, and from everything I’ve heard so far, he is very coachable. He wants to learn. He’s just happy to be here, and he’s not really taking it for granted. I think he’s on a great path right now," reported MLB.com. Nicknamed "The Martian" Dominguez has some more minor league time in his future, but certainly excited to see how and when he will be called up to the Bronx.

Moving onto to shortstop, the front runner for the middle infielder position has been Oswald Peraza. He has not been playing at the caliber the Yankees expect him to be. Perreza is hitting .222 (2-for-9) with a stolen base on the spring. The Yankees will need more production from him if he is to be the opening day shortstop. The guy that has caught everyone's eye is Anthony Volpe. Volpe is 5-for-15 with a home run and two doubles. He is making a good case to make the team this spring, but many suggest he needs more reps in Triple A. I don't think the Yankees will waste too much time with Isiah Kiner-Falefa or Peraza if Volpe shows signs of growth by the All Star Break or even sooner.

Finally, there's pitching. Luis Severino just does not seem to be the sharper, younger version of himself. Boone and his coaching staff liked what they have seen in the Yankee starter, but I still think there's work to be done, both physically and mentally. The winds were not on the Yankees' side in Saturday's game (he gave up two dingers) but still Severino has given up seven earned runs, three home runs and seven strikeouts in two starts, including Saturday. They will need more from him this season as the Yankees are already down a starter in Frankie Montas. They need more innings from Sevy.

I would like to give a shout out to Yankee pitcher Jhony Brito, who has pitched well and is getting extra looks by Boone and the pitching staff this spring. "Brito opened eyes last season going 11-4 with a 2.96 ERA working 112 2/3 innings in 26 outings at two levels. The 6-foot-2, 160 pounder began the season going 5-2 with a 2.36 ERA in eight Double-A starts, then was bumped up to Triple-A on June 1 and had more success there going 6-2 with a 3.31," reported NJ.com. He pitched 2 and 2/3 innings on Saturday and despite giving up some late hits, he pitched well and with a lot of control. He could be an innings eater, and provide the bull pen more depth this season.

Week 1 is in the books for the Yankees this spring. I am excited to see more of the Yankees and how they gel this spring. I caution the Yankees with assuming who will be where and when this season. It needs to be an open canvas with the best team on the field everyday. Boone is known for his assumptions based on data. I need him to open his eyes and watch the game, watch his players closely and make decisions on performance not on what stat or algorithm spits out the ideal lineup. And don't wait too long to play your youth, otherwise they could be gone before they get the opportunity to contribute.