THE YANKEES HIT THE BALL HARDER THAN ANYONE ELSE

Source: The New York Post

The New York Yankees entered Tuesday night's game with 98 home runs in 60 games, which is 14 more dingers than any other team in baseball. Likely you are not completely surprised by that stat. As fans, we all know the Yankees hit more home runs than anyone else. Heck, Aaron Judge has hit about a third of those home runs himself. But what I really like about that stat is that the world of baseball is taking notice. The Yankees are the team to beat because they hit the ball harder than anyone else.

Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

"When a Yankee puts the ball in play, the ball comes off his bat at an average of 90.6 miles per hour, according to the league’s Statcast data. This preternatural baseball-mashing has manifested some extraordinary bombs already. On Saturday, Giancarlo Stanton hit a ball 120 miles per hour and bounced it off the second deck at Yankee Stadium, and that was somehow … maybe not the most stunning homer a Yankee has hit this year? The team’s longest plate-to-air missile to date was this 456-footer on May 12, one of the 24 so far to leave the bat of league leader Aaron Judge," reported Alex Kirshner of Slate. 

Source: AP Photo/Adam Hunger

An interesting juxtaposition to the sweet, picturesque home runs we see night after night at home and on the road, is that the Yankees don't have to face the best pitching staff in the league. From Gerrit Cole to Nestor Cortes and the season that the incredible comeback kids Jameson Taillon, Jordan Montgomery and Luis Severino are having, Yankees pitching is virtually unhittable. With two near perfect games in back to back games against the Angels, the starting rotation is the best it's been in years. Collectively, across the entire pitching staff, the Yankees are the pitching leaders across all of baseball. So not only are the Yankees threats offensively, their pitching and defense are equally superior to other teams. 

“Our pitching and defense has been outstanding,” Anthony Rizzo said Sunday against the Minnesota Twins. “It just allows all of us to play free and just play baseball,” reported the New York Post. “Pitching and defense is going to take us where we want to go, and timely hitting,” Rizzo said. “We know we can hit and we know we can put pressure on at any time so it’s just staying the course.”

The Yankees are exciting to watch—and no matter where I am traveling for work or vacation or just a family gathering, I am tuned in. I have not missed an inning or a home run. And as an onlooker, you can see that confidence or perhaps relaxed disposition across the team like Rizzo explained. It is likely this sense of relief that is helping the Yankees swing the bat better, harder and longer than anyone else this season.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

HOLY CARP! MATT CARPENTER'S STILL GOT IT!

I still can't believe what we saw yesterday. I woke up this morning and reminded myself that yesterday wasn't a dream at all. The Yankees just annihilated the Chicago Cubs and ran a football score thanks to one unexpected star.

In a season that has been all about Aaron Judge so far....for once, it was not about Judge. Yesterday was all about Matt Carpenter and it was exciting to see. I will admit, I didn't expect it and I'm sure I'm not alone because Carpenter has had a rough couple of years recently.

But maybe a change in scenery will do him some good. The last 2 seasons were not good for Carpenter, and is a contributing factor to why he's no longer playing in St. Louis and also why the Rangers released him from Triple-A after he requested back in May. 

It's nice to see Carpenter making the most of his new opportunity. So far, he's 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, a double and seven RBIs. In 10 games since signing with the Yankees in late May he has 8 hits and 6 of those are homeruns. It's a small sample size, but nice to see.

Carpenter says he has found his swing again and has embraced critics saying he is "washed up" and recent success will just be a flash in the pan but he is determined to keep playing and contributing, read more HERE. 

I guess we wait and see what he can contribute to going forward, but I like his determination. I will always stand behind the guy that says he wants to keep playing "until they tell me I can't," compared to a guy like Marwin Gonzalez who cheated and doesn't deserve to wear pinstripes....granted that last part is my opinion.

I would like to ask the Yankees to make sure he has just enough time to make his magic salsa. If there is a track record proving his success with it then get that man the ingredients and have him share it in the clubhouse. 

Oh and the mustache seems to work too. The Yankees are on a roll right now, let's hope they keep rolling and Carpenter can continue to roll with them.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

ROBINSON CANO HAS HIT ROCK BOTTOM

I mean how embarrassing!

Exactly how you predicted it with your analysis, right Peter Keating?

Robinson Cano is at the end. It's a shame, but I often think back to that time that moron Peter Keating of ESPN the magazine (Read our 2013 BYB post here) tried to disparage me here at Bleeding Yankee Blue when I ripped on Robinson Cano for not being a hustler and padding numbers.  Here's a portion of that silly article. I will not post the link, because it's really a bad article. But here's the part that's signfiicant.

Keating decided to try and suggest that I was wrong, that Cano was playing, but not playing HARD because he was saving himself... you know, longevity in baseball and all that shit. I guess what Keating was trying to do was suggest that Robinson Cano is SOOO talented that's all he needed to do, pace himself.  

Well, note to every single baseball analyst out there, but espectially to Peter Keating; You're close to idiotic.  We are now 9 years from when you tried to disparage me in your article and Robinson Cano is dresssed up like fucking Spongebob on a minor league Padres ballclub, because, well... it's over. Pacing did nothing Keating. Do you watch sports???  Cano didn't hustle, he didn't hustle for years and when didn't and wasn't performing, he went to PEDs. and when he got caught, he just forgot how to play the game in general. Pacing himself was not part of the equation. Plain and simple, Cano was LAZY. Exactly what I said. He never worked hard and guess what else... Cano won't be in the Hall of Fame either. He's fallen.  

CBS writes: 

"...the Padres have little to lose by sending Canó to Triple-A and giving him an opportunity to get on track. The worst-case scenario is that he doesn't perform much, if any better and that they have to release him again. "

Now with the El Paso Chihuahuas, Cano had an RBI hit.

Notice he gets the hit and jogs to first base. Losers never learn. 

Here's my point. Robinson Cano never respected the game, he cared about himself and 9 years later the slug still jogs and is a minor league baseball player in a spongebob uniform.  Peter Keating who is a freaking analyst couldn't be more wrong about Cano, or, dare I say the athlete in general. You get to the pros to play hard and win. You don't get there to be second, you get there to be first.   

Cano, isn't first... he's like 15th. My has he fallen.  

Hey Peter, I'm still waiting for me apology after you decided to try and embarass me in your stupid stealth-attack publication all those years ago. It didn't work. It just made me angry.

You won't like me when I'm angry.

F off.  Imagine if Aaron Judge or Derek Jeter or Mike Trout jogged to first? You're ridiculous and so is Cano. Maybe you should move in together and talk about loser things.

WHY AARON JUDGE SHOULD BE THE YANKEES CENTER FIELDER

Source: Robert Sabo/NY Post

I guess I am going to answer the question I pose in this headline: Why not? Aaron Judge is likely the best all-around athlete on this team—he can run, throw, hit and catch. I mean I guess that is fundamental to playing baseball, but Judge does it in a superior way. And having him tackle more territory in the outfield just means we can win more ball games in my mind. So why shouldn't Aaron Judge be the starting center fielder? To me that should not even be question.

"Starting a sixth straight game in center field on Friday night, Judge saved at least one run with a diving catch on an Ian Happ line drive in the gap to end the third inning in what became a 2-1, 13-inning win over the Cubs in The Bronx," reported The New York Post.

Yankee Skipper Aaron Boone says, having Judge play center gives the team more flexibility. Sure. That is a good reason to keep him there, but really it is his range and ability to track balls and put the Yankees in much better position defensively.

“We’ll see,” Boone said. “He’s certainly done a great job out there for us. So just kind of day-by-day, week-by-week and whatever makes the most sense. The roster has some ebbs and flows to it, with an injury here and there. I love the flexibility it certainly gives us,” reported The Post.

If you ask John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman, Aaron Judge is the team's anointed center fielder. It makes the best sense because now you can have Giancarlo Stanton play right, or Joey Gallo who feels more comfortable in right field, play there and move Aaron Hicks to left. Hicks not only has struggled at the plate, but he also plays a very lazy center field, not giving us the advantage that Judge gives with his hustle and range.

Judge served as the designated hitter on Saturday evening against the Chicago Cubs. However, this season Judge started in center 13 times out the of the Yankees 44 games this season and 11 times in the last 14 games. It is fair to say that experiment is working, so why not rip the bandaid off and let Judge move his chambers to center? 

Source: New York Daily News

I am hopeful we get there, but you know Boone with his this guy needs a rest day even though he's the hottest hitter in baseball mentality.  It has to evolve. And Judge in center is certainly evolving. Why should Aaron Judge be the Yankees center fielder? Because he makes it look easy and brings so much more value holistically to his team at the anchor of the outfield. So, when Boone wakes up and realizes this, it will happen. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

SALTY & UNEMPLOYED CLINT FRAZIER

You know what the problem is with Clint Frazier? He's forgotten that playing baseball is a privledge and that it's a business.  He needs to stop running his mouth and do the best he can to stay on a roster. My opinion.

Sports Illustrated writes:

"Ahead of what was supposed to be his first appearance against his former team, outfielder Clint Frazier slammed the Yankees’ appearance policy that requires players to be clean-shaven with short hair.

“You had to be a cookie-cutter version to be on that (Yankees) team,”

“If not, then you were like a really bad distraction, it seemed like. So I don’t miss being told how I had to look for the last five years,” Frazier said."

Frazier would suck in the military. I guess he doesn't understand what rules for organizations are. Look, I don't care for the hair policy either but it's tradition and that's how the Yankees run it. You sign with them you follow the rules. You don't? You go away. Clint went away and ran his mouth on the Cubs. Then this happened. MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"The Cubs announced a series of roster moves to reporters... outfielder Clint Frazier has been designated for assignment. The DFA of Frazier opens a spot on both the active and 40-man rosters for (Chris) Martin."

Frazier probably wishes he would shave right about now huh? Karma's a bitch.  Keep your mouth shut, keep working hard and be happy you have (or had) a job in baseball.  You sound privleged, Clint.  Stop it dude... bad look.

ROGER MARIS JR. & THE HOME RUN RECORD

Records are made to be broken. But when guys who make records die, and the steroid era comes barreling in full steam and breaks records, you really have to think about what the hell's going on here.

Roger Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961, one more than Babe Ruth. It was a stressful, exciting and crazy year for Mr. Maris who received threats and ripping because of the fact that at the time Babe Ruth was sacred in sports. But he did it because his abilities let him.

I have never felt as though that single season home run record was ever broken since Maris did it, meaning to me, Maris still holds the record. I'm probably the only one, but when you talk about steroids in the same conversation, it's clear that hitting the ball further is definitely part of the equation. 

In 1998, Mark McGwire hit 70 home runs, and Sammy Sosa hit 66. At the time, everyone knew what was going on. Even Roger Maris Jr. But do you think for a second he was going to expose that when the mic was in his face about his father's record and legacy? The guy was too classy. He was quiet. These days however he is talking. Why, because since the record was tainted by Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the record was broken again by Bonds with 73. At this point is was a ridiculous circus.

Now, with some seperation between that Bond record and the arrival of Aaron Judge, perhaps the record can be revisited with a legit New York Yankee who does it clean.

The Spun writes:

"Aaron Judge is currently on track to hit 63 home runs this year. If he manages to maintain this incredible pace, he'll break the New York Yankees' record for the most homers in a single season...

Earlier this week, Roger Maris Jr. spoke about his father's record. Believe it or not, he would be "very happy" if Judge breaks the record.

“You don’t want to see anyone get it, but I’d be very happy if Judge did do it,’’ Maris told the New York Post. “Dad always said records are meant to be broken. You don’t want to see Dad’s record go, but if it happened, I can’t think of a better guy to do it. He’s a great Yankee. To do it in New York, how cool would that be? "

For me, I'm not sure Judge can do it, but I hope he does. There are so many variables and situations that can knock him off the pace. Judge would have to be near perfect. Yes, I hope he does, but it's unclear right now.

I do love that Maris Jr. spoke out. I have always appreciated Roger Maris. I loved him as a Yankee. I think his story is wild and he in my opinion never got the true recognition of being a solid Yankee as he should. 

Anyway... I love this story, and yes, ultimately I hope it happens for Judge, for Jr and for the Yankees.

JON HEYMAN HAS SOME CRAZY OPINIONS ABOUT AARON JUDGE!

It's no secret that Aaron Judge is beloved and valued. I love the guy and want to see him stay in the Bronx but at the right price. I know a lot of us feel the same way but there are others that think the Yankees should write a blank check because money is no object.

I get it, the Yankees are worth $7 billion and can open their wallets if they want that doesn't mean they should. They should be concerned with return on investment also, but Jon Heyman seems to think Judge is the best position player and should be paid as such, read more HERE. 

I think Heyman has lost ALL of his marbles because calling Judge BETTER than Mike Trout is just irrational. Trout has a resume that all baseball fans should respect. He's a damn good player and he's been consistent even though his team have struggled since 2009. Judge is off to one hell of a season and he is playing better than Trout NOW but Heyman says he is better and should be paid MORE than Trout.

Here's pat of what Heyman had to say:
"If Judge isn’t Trout now, it’s because he’s better. Truth is, he's better than anyone else, too. There’s no winning argument to be made that he’s deserving of anything less than that $36 million best-in-the-business standard. He bet on himself, and he won big."

Wow, that's a statement. Sure, right now Judge is playing better than Trout. Judge's .315 BA, 22 homeruns and 45 RBIs are impressive but Trout is a nine-time MLB All-Star, three-time American League MVP and is an eight-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award. He's got a long history of being one of the best (if not the best) players in the last decade. He played well consistently to get that $36 million a year long term contract.

But Judge hasn't and as much as I would like to see Judge stay a Yankee he doesn't deserve a 8-10 year commitment at or exceeding Trout money. At the end of the day he is 30 years old, injury prone and has too many lengthy slumps for my liking. The Yankees would be reckless to give another long term deal at top dollar to Judge when they already have big contracts to pay to Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton.

Another contract like that and I can already hear Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner talking about the luxury tax for many many years. This could be a contract that limits the teams flexibility to improve the roster for years to come and these mega deals never work out for the teams. No player is worth Trout type money....no one.

So I agree with Heyman on one thing - this IS Judge's team. Hopefully it will be for a long time just like he said.....but at the right terms. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE YANKEE STARTING ROTATION IS WORLD SERIES GOOD

Source: USA Today

What do the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs and the 2020 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers have in common with the 2022 New York Yankees? One guess: Dominant Starting Pitching. I mean uttering those words almost makes me weep. This team continues to win and starting pitching is giving them the runway to do it.

"The starting pitching has been akin to a lock-down playoff goalie. No game gets away, they are all winnable. And the rotation has been nearly flawless. In the previous two games, Jameson Taillon and Gerrit Cole became the first teammates in the expansion era (since 1961) to author at least six perfect innings in consecutive contests. Severino joked that maybe he would be traded if he didn’t keep up," reported Joel Sherman of the New York Post. 

And this conversation about stellar starting pitching can't be had without the Yankee silent ace Nestor Cortes Jr. No one expected Cortes to put up the numbers he has in the first quarter of the season. "Cortes has the lowest ERA in the majors at 1.50 through 10 starts. He’s also got the lowest batting average against at .178. He’s been the most fun Yankees pitcher to watch, and it’s not even close. All from a guy the Yankees weren’t sure would even stick in their rotation all year," reported NJ.com

Source: Corey Sipkin/New York Post

There also just seems to be this renewed confidence, perhaps a sigh of relief that the defense, play calling, and planning that the catching platoon is giving this pitching staff that is putting the rotation in such a consistent groove and equally setting up the relief pitchers for success.

Source: New York Post

"Removing the drama, trauma and bad defense of Gary Sanchez has helped. Kyle Higashioka and Jose Trevino are central to the game-planning beforehand and are superb pitch framers, game callers and pitcher whispers. And the universal acceptance of PitchCom has led to less confusion, greater clarity (especially in the various ways to deal with a running game), and better pace," reported the Post.

Sure there is the slugging and consistent hitting, but without good pitching, teams simply don't win and they don't contend for a championship. The Yankees seem to have it all, the run support, a good solid infield, strong starting pitching, and a deep bullpen. Yep, the Yankees starting rotation is World Series good. And let's hope they keep getting better and stronger as the very long regular season keeps chugging along.

-- Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

JOEY GALLO'S IMPLODING

Joey Gallo has a swing made for Yankee Stadium. Here's the problem, when he swings, he misses the ball, and in baseball, that's kind of signifiicant.

Gallo's getting creamed by many for being an automatic out. Hey, he's a major league ballplayer and he's been touted as having amazing home run power and being a solid defender and all that might be true. But it's clear that in New York, he is not that guy at all. Why? Because you can see his wheels spinning. He may have a swing made for New York, but he doesn't have the mental toughness for this city... and that's why I have to say... it's time for him to go.

He apparently hates his critics and it's clear he's imploding. Talking with ESPN's Jesse Rogers, he went off. This time is about about going opposite way on the shift:

"Everybody wants you to go the other way... I don't think people who say that realize how hard the game is. They wouldn't step in the box and do it, I'll tell you that much.”

I played ball, I happen to know about how hard the game is. But you know what I learned at a very young age? I learned that baseball hitting is about adjustments. I tweeted that a few nights ago:

If you can’t make adjustments in the batters box in baseball, you’re dead. Gallo is dead.

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) June 3, 2022

I also will always remember this from Pete Rose who was an absolutely dynamic hitter. This is a special piece of tape. Gallo should watch it every day.

Now if Gallo can't figure out as a grown man that he needs to make adjustments in the box, and I can yell at my TV from where I'm sitting to see it, he needs to retire, because he's dead.

Here's what else Gallo said:

“It's tough to adjust to it because it wasn't a thing in the minors... Over time it's gotten more extreme and more effective. From a hitter's standpoint, it's something that could be changed.”

Joe Gallo has a swing that got him to the big leagues, but he's using minor league mentality to walk him throw his horrible career. That's not a major league player. That's a player that needs to give up the game and work at Trader Joe's.  

And sure Joey, go after your critics all you want. But remember something... you chose this perfection, not me. I recognized I couldn't go any further. You didn't. And... what's a nice way to say this... oh, I know...

DO YOUR JOB.

THREE GUYS THAT COULD HELP THE YANKEES DOWN THE STRETCH

Not sure you saw all the names popping around. Yes, the Yankees are doing really well, but not only that, stocking some extra guys in the minors that they clearly think could help the team as well has never hurt either.  I wanted to break them down for you, cause, the names are not only recognizable, but they also still have some talent attached to them.

Jake Bauers: This is the newest of the acquisitions. NJ.com writes of Bauers: "Bauers, 26, has played parts of three seasons in the majors leagues with the Rays, Cleveland and the Mariners. He’s a career .213 hitter in the majors with a .655 OPS. He’s played mostly first base and left field in the bigs."

Now here's the thing. Bauers is a minor leaguer. He will see action there, and if they need him at any point, they can call him up and you would hope he could make an impact. What has he done recently? Not much: "Bauers hit .135 with three home runs, 12 RBI and a .547 OPS in 29 games at Triple-A Louisville this season. Bauers hit .099 with two bombs in 21 games since getting off the injured list May 4. He hasn’t played in the majors this year."

Bauers is my least favorite pickup.

Shane Greene:  Yup, if you didn't know, now you know, Shane Greene is back. When it comes to Greene, Sports Illustrated writes: "After his promising rookie year, Greene was shipped to Detroit in the three-team deal that sent shortstop Didi Gregorius from Arizona to the Yankees.

Greene quickly transitioned from a starter to a reliever. In his fourth season with the Tigers, he recorded 32 saves. The next year, Greene was an American League All-Star before he was traded to the Braves at the deadline. From there, Greene spent three seasons in Atlanta before ending up with the Dodgers. In 2022, the right-hander pitched seven times in Triple-A Oklahoma City with Los Angeles, making just one appearance in a Dodgers uniform.

Greene, 33, elected free agency on May 22. The Yankees swooped in..."

Greene is a minor league guy right now, but I expect to see him as the season progresses. I really do.

And then of course there's Greg Bird. NJ.com writes:

"Bird can hold his head high with his performance during the streak. Per RailRiders PR:

He has gone 10 for 27 with two home runs and four doubles during this stretch. Prior to this streak, Bird’s longest hit streak was three which lasted from May 3 to May 6. After batting .149 in 15 games in the month of April, he’s batting .246 in 16 games in the month of May. 2022 is the fourth season Bird has appeared for the RailRiders. The most games he ever played for SWB was 34 back in 2015 (currently at 31 in 2022)."

If Bird can continue to figure out his hitting, I see big things. Wouldn't it be great to see Bird come back up, be hot in pinstripes and come full circle.

So what do you think? Can these guys help or will they hurt? Will they make it back up to the bigs or will they just fade away. I personally think the Yankees made some smart moves... and now we wait and see what happens next. Stay tuned.

I'M TEAM ANDUJAR BECAUSE THE YANKEES MAKE BAD DECISIONS!

Say what you want about Miguel Andujar's talents or opportunities he has been given here with the Yankees, he's had many opportunities. It hasn't worked out the way I had hoped for sure but he has deserved better this season. There is no other way to say this....the Yankees have screwed up and they need to OWN this.

So we've all seen the headlines by now but HERE it is again, Andujar is fed up with the Yankees and has asked them to trade him. It's not the first time he's made this request, and in the past I really didn't voice an opinion, but now I am.

I'll be straight and to the point with this.....I have no problem with this request at all. It is time for Andujar to start thinking about what is important to him and where he will be happiest. All players want to be on a winning team, and the Yankees have enjoyed a lot of success so far but they also want to PLAY regularly. At this point, that's all he wants and while we all remember him as the great prospect that had such potential time is no longer on his side.

At the end of the day, I can't ignore that he is 27 years old, playing for brief appearances in the majors and in his last year of arbitration. He's a guy on the 40-man roster that is used on a brief rotation basis that has made more of an impact than two other idiots who the Yankees have more money or years committed to.

It's hard for me not argue FOR Andujar's request. Do the Yankees have to honor it? Of course not, but Andujar has good reason for the request. He has done everything the Yankees have asked from him after coming back from an injury. They asked him to learn how to play the outfield.....and he did it. Is he the greatest outfielder? No, but I'd rather watch him in left field than Aaron Hicks and he's not going to be a guaranteed out like Joey Gallo is when he steps in the batters box. What grinds my gears even more is to think that we are stuck with Hicks for three more years thanks to Brian Cashman's TERRIBLE contract.

Andujar is a casualty only because the Yankees won't cut Gallo even though he's in a walk year and we have a long term deal with Hicks. There are other teams out there that Andujar COULD be an everyday player on. He could play everyday if he was a Tiger, National, Red, Diamondback or Oriole! 

One other important part I can't ignore and no one seems to be talking about....we have a new CBA that says players can only be optioned five times per season and after that, it requires outright assignment waivers to the Minor Leagues. It's the beginning of June and there's a lot of baseball left but Andujar has already been optioned three times. That's a concern.

I'm on Andujar's side on this one. The Yankees should follow what the Mets did. If they can cut Robinson Cano who they owed $40 million to through the 2023 season there is no reason they can't cut Gallo, but they won't make that move.

When merit is no longer the reason for why you stay or get sent down, it is time to demand a trade for a better opportunity. The Yankees screwed this up big time and I hope in the future Andujar gets the last laugh.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

JOSE TREVINO DEEMED THE YANKEES SECRET WEAPON

When the Yankees picked up Jose Trevino from the Texas Rangers at the start of the 2022 season, did they know they were getting a guy who has undoubtedly transformed the role of catcher on this team? He can catch, run and hit, giving the Yankees every advantage to be what they have become—the best team in baseball. And he is quickly edging his way into the Yankee starting catcher role, erasing the Gary Sanchez era completely. Jose Trevino is the Yankees secret weapon—well it's not really a secret anymore.

Source: The New York Post

In 89 at bats this season, Trevino is batting .289 with an .819 OPS, 4 home runs, 15 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Suzyn Waldman enthusiastically named Trevino the Yankees secret weapon in her broadcasts over the last couple of weeks. And what a couple of weeks the 29-year-old catcher has had. A walk-off, critical base running and just a vacuum behind the plate. In the first game against the Tigers in this three-game stint, Trevino went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a triple, a walk, three RBIs and three runs scored. Oh and behind the plate he called a near perfect game with Gerrit Cole. 

“He means so much to those guys, in such a short time in that room,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I’m just really happy for him. He’s been so instrumental in us being where we are at this point in the season," reported MLB.com.

During the Apple TV+ Friday night broadcast I learned that Trevino used his signing bonus when he made it to the majors to build a batting cage, but not for batting rather for working on his catching. His defense behind the plate is incredible. Players don't want to steal on him. And his snatch throws to first base are catching runners off guard and picking them off more times than not. His pitch framing and game-planning with pitchers makes him invaluable as a catcher. Trevino is an integral part of this team with a positive culture and passion for winning. 

"I think anytime you're a close-knit group like those guys are and you're challenging each other and learning from one another, I think that environment is one that you have a better chance to thrive in," New York manager Aaron Boone said. "So I think that's happening," reported ESPN. 

Source: NY Daily News

Of course you can't write a piece about Jose Trevino without mentioning his amazing walk off against the Orioles on May 24th, the date of his late father's birthday and the horrific events at Uvalde in his home state of Texas, only 90 minutes from his hometown. He said his father prepared him for the walk off even though he never saw him play a major league game.

"My dad was a huge Yankees fan,'' Jose Trevino said. ''He would always put me in these scenarios. He always said, 'Ninth inning, down one, you need a base hit here to tie the game or win the game at Yankee Stadium.' '"He always said, like, `I'm preparing you to be a Yankee, always,'" he added as reported by CBS Sports.

Trevino—an unexpected gem, a secret weapon and a respected player in this clubhouse. He plays with such gratitude and happiness, he is a joy to watch let alone be around in the dugout. He has given the Yankees so much and it is early in the season. I root for a guy like Trevino. I mean how could you not? And my rant can't end without me saying that Jose Trevino should be the everyday catcher for the Yankees. Secret Weapon no more—this guy has been outed for good!

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof