Even with Aaron Judge back in the lineup, the New York Yankees‘ most impressive player in 2023 just might surprise you.
This season has been a disappointment for the Yankees so far. As of Wednesday, the team is in fourth place in the AL East, and they have certainly struggled to get going. Injuries have played their part, but for many players, this season has been one to forget. Since May 28, Anthony Rizzo is hitting just .174. That’s the day he suffered a neck injury while getting tangled up with Fernando Tatis Jr. in a game against the San Diego Padres. Rizzo was placed on the 10-day IL with concussion symptoms on August 4 and his season is now in jeopardy. Giancarlo Stanton has not fared much better either. The notoriously streaky power hitter has hit just .203 in 236 at-bats. With an OPS of just .732, Stanton has struggled to find his power stroke throughout the season.
That’s not to say there haven’t been a few bright spots on the Yankees. Gerrit Cole has performed exactly how the front office envisioned when they signed him to his 9-year deal worth $324 million at the end of 2019. His 4.8 WAR is tops among all pitchers in MLB this season. Clay Holmes has also pitched extremely well. Despite starting the season on a rough note, the Yankees reliever has allowed just two runs since June 1. And before his injury, Aaron Judge was on pace to compete with Shohei Ohtani in another contentious MVP race. Despite missing nearly two months, Judge leads the Yankees in home runs, batting average, and OPS. His 2.6 WAR is also tied for second on the team with rookie Anthony Volpe.
The Yankees’ Most Impressive Player
Nothing Beats A Classic Redemption Arc
Without a doubt, Judge is the team’s most valuable player. But the title for the Yankees’ most impressive player for 2023 has to go to Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Being traded to a new ball club is difficult for many players. Getting traded to the New York Yankees and asked to be the everyday shortstop for a fan base that expects nothing less than greatness? That can prove to be beyond difficult. When Kiner-Falefa was acquired from the Minnesota Twins in March of 2022, the Yankees penciled him in to be the starting shortstop despite the fact that he only had one season at short under his belt. This move proved to be costly. Kiner-Falefa committed 15 errors at shortstop, which created a rift between him and Yankees fans.
It shouldn’t be ignored how tough it is to go from a team’s most hated player to a fan favorite in less than one year. At one point last year, Kiner-Falefa was so despised by fans that his father became fed up. In a now-deleted tweet, Kiner-Falefa’s father, Fili Falefa, lamented the vitriol that was directed at his son.
IKFs dad has had enough pic.twitter.com/r0oncJyEdR
— ??????? (@FrankiesTwoLoud) August 12, 2022
Thankfully tempers eventually cooled and there was never a brawl in the streets of The Bronx involving Falefa and Yankees fans. Kiner-Falefa finished the 2022 season without incident. He finished the season hitting .261 and 22 stolen bases. Even with the less-than-pleasant treatment from fans, Kiner-Falefa and the Yankees agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s Super Utility Role On The Yankees
Kiner-Falefa is not likely to win any awards this season, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t earned any recognition. Kiner-Falefa has played every position this year except for first base and catcher. And playing either position should not be ruled out just yet. Kiner-Falefa has even pitched in four games this season, allowing just one run on four hits. In a June 22 game against the Seattle Mariners, Kiner-Falefa wowed the crowd with an unlikely ninth-inning fest.
IKF belts a homer after pitching a scoreless ninth
The new Ohtani. pic.twitter.com/hJWx16AGDD
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 23, 2023
Kiner-Falefa’s willingness to do what’s best for the team has earned him a lot of respect from fans. After struggling at shortstop early in spring training, IKF saw his opportunity to contribute in other ways. With top prospects Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza leading the competition for starting shortstop, Kiner-Falefa put his work in at other positions. This work has paid off for IKF, and it has allowed him to find more playing time because of it. With a batting average of .253 and an OPS of .696, Kiner-Falefa’s stats are not exactly noteworthy. But for somebody capable of playing any position at a moment’s notice, the Yankees will surely take that offensive output.
Learning From Past Yankees’ Mistakes
Yankees fans are notoriously difficult to win over for some players. Most recently, Joey Gallo and Aaron Hicks learned that the hard way. Both players had their moments to relish in the warmth of the Yankees fans’ passion, only for that adoration to turn into condemnation. Even Nick Swisher, as likable of a player that has ever played for the Yankees, felt the scorn from fans after his lackluster postseason play in 2012. For Kiner-Falefa, he did what many players before him failed to do. He won his support back.
Sure, there are better hitters than Kiner-Falefa. There are even better fielders than him. But he is exactly the type of ballplayer any team would love to have on their roster. He may have flaws in his game, but his effort has never been questioned. Through his peaks and valleys, Kiner-Falefa maintains the same even-keel composure he is now known for. You won’t find him soaking in the limelight after a great game or even sulking in the dugout after an awful performance. You also won’t find him ever giving away a play or at-bat. However, you can rely on him hustling all over the field. Kiner-Falefa went from New York’s much-maligned starting shortstop to becoming an integral part of the team as an indispensable utility man. And that makes him the Yankees’ most impressive player this year.
Photo Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned: Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, Fernando Tatis Jr., Giancarlo Stanton, Gerrit Cole, Clay Holmes, Shohei Ohtani, Anthony Volpe, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Oswald Peraza, Joey Gallo, Aaron Hicks, Nick Swisher
