The 2017 MLB season appears full of potential and promise for the New York Yankees. They continue to transition into a more youthful team, as they stock their major league roster with top prospects. The Yankees hope this will bring sustained success, as it did in the 90’s.
Yankees Youth Movement Looks to Deliver in 2017
The driving force behind the Yankees youth movement heading into 2017 is the continued growth and success of the Yankees young power hitters, which include catcher Gary Sanchez, first baseman Greg Bird, and outfielder Aaron Judge, all of whom are under the age of 24. The Yankees are excited to see what all three players can achieve in their first full major league season together.
Though Sanchez, Bird, and Judge each enjoyed success in their brief stints with the big club, the Yankees and their fans shouldn’t necessarily expect them to continue displaying power surges that will carry the team for years to come. Nearly every major league prospect struggles at some point in their young MLB career, and that could happen to these future stars as they head into their first full season.
New Sources of Power
Of the three highly touted prospects, Sanchez showed the most power, and his potential has Yankees fans expecting him to be the next big superstar to wear pinstripes. In 229 plate appearances over 53 games in 2016, Sanchez connected on 20 home runs and drove in 42 runs, while batting .299 during that span. That earned him Rookie of the Year runner-up honors.
The Yankees organization and their fan base won’t expect Sanchez to continue the level of production he put on display in the final two months of the 2016 season. What’s encouraging is that even if Sanchez’ home run rate drops by 50%, it’s still a level of production that New York didn’t receive a year ago.
Usually, when one thinks of power hitters, one thinks of corner outfielders and infielders who provide their clubs’ lineup with the majority of their power. That certainly wasn’t the case for the 2016 Yankees. Outfielder Brett Gardner, a Gold Glove winner, has never been known for his power at the plate (because he doesn’t have any), while the other corner outfielders, Aaron Hicks and Judge, struggled offensively at times.
In the infield, third baseman Chase Headley and now-retired first baseman Mark Teixeira only combined for 29 home runs in 2016, something the Yankees will surely try and improve on if they wish to compete with the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.
A Change in Approach
With one of the best farm systems in baseball and the young talent already on their major league roster, New York will look to make a playoff run for the first time since 2012. The Yankees front office has, surprisingly, looked to the future with the help of their farm system. GM Brian Cashman has never been known for that, but now he’s allowing the minor leaguers to prove themselves and, in doing so, earn a call-up. That paid off quite well for Cashman and the Yankees last year when Sanchez earned one.
As far as the Yankees two other highly touted prospects, Judge and Bird, the question is where they’ll fit in New York’s lineup. Both players have displayed the potential to be 30+ home run hitters. More than likely, Bird will bat higher in the lineup given his ability to make more contact than Judge, who has a higher strikeout rate. If Bird can pick up where he left off, and if Judge improves in putting the ball in play, then the Bronx Bombers could be on their way to competing in the AL East for the upcoming season.
Bird’s biggest hurdle will be knocking the rust off after an injury caused him to miss the entire 2016 season, while Judge’s challenge will be getting more comfortable versus MLB pitching. Despite being young and inexperienced, the Yankees prospects are extremely talented. The team will have a legitimate shots at making a postseason run, even if it’s through a Wild Card berth.
Sanchez and Judge could be joined by other Yankee farmhands sooner rather than later. Shortstop Gleyber Torres, who just turned 20 years old, had a ridiculous stint in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .403/.513/.645 with more walks (14) than he had strikeouts (8) en route to winning MVP. It shouldn’t be long before fans see Torres in pinstripes.
Other notable call-ups this season could include pitchers Justus Sheffield and James Kaprielian, as well as outfielders Tyler Austin and the highly-touted Clint Frazier. With a logjam in the outfield, it’ll take an injury or Cashman moving either Gardner or Jacoby Ellsbury before we see Frazier roaming the outer reaches of Yankee Stadium.
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