Bleeding Yankee Blue: THE FIVE BOYS OF FALL WHO WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN IN 2023

Sunday, September 24, 2023

THE FIVE BOYS OF FALL WHO WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN IN 2023

The 2023 Yankees are almost in the history books—well except no one will want to read about them. The team has been lackluster, inconsistent, ridden with injuries and simply not fun to watch. And the 60+ games that Aaron Judge was on the IL just made this team painful to engage. As I moped through a sloppy Saturday from a barstool in Princeton, a friend said to me, "I knew you were done with the Yankees in August." She would be right. I even gave up behind home plate tickets against the Toronto Blue Jays this week because I knew the outcome. Yes, these boys of fall will soon be forgotten, except for those five standouts who kept me hoping this team could turn things around.

1. Anthony Volpe

As the AP wrote, "Anthony Volpe, one of the few bright spots in the worst Yankees season in three decades, became the 15th rookie with a 20-homer, 20-stolen base season." Volpe played in 152 games and provided much needed promise and hope to the future of the Yankees. He clubbed 21 home runs and batted in 60 RBIs, and he provided swift and accurate defense as a middle infielder.

2. Michael King

In six starts since joining the rotation, King has a 1.27 ERA with 42 strikeouts and just four walks across 28 ¹/₃ innings. And what he did this week against the Toronto Blue Jays was nothing short of phenomenal. According to the New York Post, "The 13 strikeouts were also the most by any Yankees pitcher this season. King struck out the side in the first inning and again in the sixth, both times on 14 pitches." By the way, that is the game I decided to sit out. And although I would have liked to have seen him pitch, as a mainstay this season, the Yankees did nothing to help their pitcher and lost 6-1 against the Jays, eliminating themselves from Wild Card hopes.

3. Austin Wells

The future of catching is in the capable hands of Wells. Although he has not had a lot of time to gel with this team (and maybe that is a good thing given their record), he has shown that he has what it takes to become a great catcher for the future New York Yankees. Wells is regarded as one of the the Yankees' best offensive prospects. As a 24-year-old just getting started, it is my hope he will be a part of the 2024 in a major way.

4. Aaron Judge

The Yankee right fielder is just incredible. He is athletic, he is a leader and he provide much needed glue to this disparate team. Despite only playing around 90 or so games, Judge has hit 35 home runs. And he continues to anchor this outfield which has seen their share of changes since spring training.

5. Gerrit Cole

Cole is having a standout season and is a true contender for the Cy Young Award. He consistently throws 9-10 Ks a game and he is a mentor and teacher to the young pitching staff. He is an asset to this team on and off the field and a much needed ace for this team as they face their future.

As Sports Illustrated stated, "New York had very high expectations heading into the 2023 season but things haven't panned out. The Yankees have struggled and now will have to make some tough decisions this upcoming offseason to get back to the postseason in 2024." As long as these guys remain a part of the team, and management changes are made, the Yankees have an opportunity to redeem themselves in 2024.