As they have for many years now the New York Yankees will field a star-studded lineup. Unfortunately for Joe Girardi it is 2015 and not 2010. Many at bats for the Bronx Bombers will be filled by aging and regressing former stars. Mark Teixiera, Carlos Beltran, Alex Rodriguez, and Brian McCann are all projected to get over 400 at bats. Several of these former stars were injured last season and could be potential bounce-back candidates in 2015 and that could be seen as a key for the team. Another key could be the starting rotation and their ability to stay healthy this season. However, in my opinion the key to the Yankees season could be 24 year old second base prospect Robert Refsnyder.
At every level, except for his first first season of professional ball in 2012, Refsnyder has been an above average offensive player. He has dominated all levels of pitching he has faced with 2014 being no different. He hit .342 over 244 plate appearances in AA and hit .300 in over 300 PA’s in AAA. In 2014 Refsnyder also saw his power rise slightly as he hit 14 combined homeruns besting his previous high of six. It has been said that Refsnyder’s minor league numbers are similar to that of Kyle Seager, the Mariners’ budding superstar. In the minors Seager was an above average hitter with decent pop-season high of 14 homers-while excelling at the AA and AAA levels in 2011. In the minors Refsnyder’s walk numbers fluctuated from around 9% up to 15% while Seager’s stayed right around 9% in his minor league career. Refsnyder also strikes out more often than Seager did before making his debut which could hurt his ability to produce like Seager.
Seager is a best case scenario for Refsnyder and the Yankees as upon becoming a full-time player Seager found his power stroke hitting over 20 homers for each of the past three years. Streamer, a projection system, sees Refsnyder as basically a league average hitter in 2015 with a wRC+ of 99 over just under 400 PAs. His projected wOBA of .316 would have him 11th best in the league among second baseman in 2014 behind Dustin Pedroia and ahead of Dee Gordon. Currently, Streamer also projects him to be worth 1.5 WAR which would be good for fifth best on the Yankees among position players and is actually a very conservative prediction. It only sees Refsnyder playing in 97 games and sharing second base duties with Jose Pirela and Brenden Ryan. However, if Refsnyder hits as well as the projections think he deserves to be the everyday second baseman for New York and if he does he could see himself among the best second baseman in the league. His success in the minors allowed the Yankees to trade away Martin Prado, one of the league’s most versatile players, for young fireballer Nathan Eovaldi who could become a fixture in the Yankee rotation for years to come.
The 2014 Yankees struggled to score runs and returns many of the same players who are growing even older. Refsnyder’s potential could add some youth and energy into a lineup and make a difference between playoff contender or yet another disappointing season.
Thank you for reading. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Main Photo:
