NEW YORK — It wasn’t the ending to the home stand the New York Yankees hoped for. Manager Aaron Boone earned his first ejection of the season, arguing a questionable strike against Alex Verdugo. Aaron Judge had a chance to play hero with one swing, but he flew out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to end a 5-2 loss to the struggling Miami Marlins.
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Still, all is well in the land of pinstripes. They’re 10-3, matching their second-best record through their first 13 games in a season in franchise history. Without ace Gerrit Cole, their pitching has been mostly strong. With Judge (.178 average) still finding his footing at the plate, the offense has been impressive with Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Volpe among its leaders.
“We’re in a good spot,” Stanton said. “We’re having good at-bats when it counts, when it matters. And we’re getting prepped with a lot of traffic.”
Here are four major takeaways as the Yankees enjoy an off day before starting a series vs. the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Friday:
Good chemistry
The Yankees’ chemistry seems off the charts. Winning is the great panacea, and the club has been off to an incredible start. But players seem to be getting along well. A few examples:
• Every day during the home stand, the team had a hitters meeting in what’s labeled “The War Room” just outside the clubhouse. The meeting starts with a music video on a big projection screen, and the volume is turned up to nightclub levels. Before the home opener, they started the meeting with Rihanna’s “Run This Town.” Another day, “Houdini” by Dua Lipa was the pick. The War Room is essentially a classroom, complete with seats and desks. Along the right wall, the Yankees’ biggest accomplishments are listed in big bold letters — 27 World Series titles, four perfect games, etc.
• As Anthony Rizzo prepared for a pregame interview with the YES Network’s Justin Shackil, his teammates wouldn’t let him do it alone. He was flanked by Judge, Verdugo and Gleyber Torres, who kept comedically serious faces throughout the line of lighthearted questioning.
• During a pitching change Saturday night, Judge, Verdugo and Soto took turns riling up the crowd from the outfield. They kept their backs to the fans before turning and waving, eliciting wild cheers. “I’ve been here seven years,” Judge told Verdugo, “and I’ve never gotten this (kind of reaction).” — Kuty
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Yankees make lineup change
Boone said Tuesday that he wasn’t in a hurry to move Volpe to the leadoff spot in the Yankees’ lineup. But the manager acknowledged that “when we look up in 10 years, that’s where his future is going to be.”
One day later, Volpe was leading off against the Marlins. Boone said his reasoning for moving Volpe up and Torres to the sixth spot was more about the performance of the team’s second baseman.
“I feel like Gleyber’s on the verge of really getting it going,” Boone said. “I do feel the at-bats have been good, but I feel like he’s pressed a little bit to get it going in that (leadoff) spot.”
Anthony Volpe on hitting in the leadoff spot: "Definitely not uncomfortable."#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/r1ITlCh6f6
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) April 11, 2024
After being one of the Yankees’ best hitters in 2023, Torres has started this season slowly. He’s hitting just .192/.295/.231 with zero home runs. Torres’ underlying metrics have not been encouraging for either. Entering Wednesday’s game, he ranked in the 30th percentile in xwOBA and the 11th percentile in hard-hit rate.
Torres has struggled in the leadoff spot throughout his career. Statistically, it’s been his worst spot in the batting order. In 55 career games leading off, Torres has posted a .631 OPS.
“Wherever Gleyber is hitting, he’s gonna get it rolling and be a big part of this offense,” Boone said.
“I feel like if I left him there over time, he’d be Gleyber Torres and we’d see the results. I do feel like he’s close to taking off.”
Boone wouldn’t say if the expectation is Volpe continuing to be the Yankees’ leadoff hitter, but it makes sense to have him get as many at-bats as possible with him being as hot as anyone across MLB.
There wasn’t necessarily a need for the Yankees to make a lineup change. They currently have a top-five offense. But putting Volpe in a top spot and Torres in the middle of the order makes sense with their skillsets. — Kirschner
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What to make of Stanton?
Stanton has been on a tear in his last five games, going 8-for-19 with three home runs and seven RBIs. He’s looked like his vintage self, making a bunch of hard contact even when he gets out.
But what should we make of this recent sampling from Stanton? Is it just another one of his streaks where he can carry an offense himself? Or is this what we should continue to expect?
Big G 💪 pic.twitter.com/C16xcnGnMN
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 11, 2024
One area to look at is how he’s hitting high-velocity pitches. In 2023, MLB’s average fastball velocity was just over 94 mph. On all pitches 94 mph or harder last season, Stanton had an OPS of just .613 with six home runs.
This year, Stanton is 1-for-10 on pitches over 94 mph. He collected his lone hit Monday when he pulled a 94 mph sinker over the heart of the plate for a 116 mph single.
Stanton’s biggest problem last season at the plate was his inability to hit high-velocity pitches. He’s yet to show improvement in this area.
Stanton is the exit velocity king in MLB. When he connects, it comes off the bat differently than everyone else. But remain cautious in declaring him fully back until he shows he can hit high-velocity pitches. — Kirschner
Grisham odd man out
Outfielder Trent Grisham played at least 130 games in each of the previous three years. But this year, his playing time has been sparse. He hasn’t played at all since April 3 and has four at-bats all season.
Grisham, however, said he’s handling it well and that he’s healthy.
“I’m keeping my head on straight,” he said.
Grisham said the Yankees told him soon after he was traded alongside Soto from the San Diego Padres in December that he would likely see a reduced role. Grisham, who is making $5.5 million this year, added that the coaching staff has continually reached out to him to make sure he’s OK.
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“It’s them talking to me, knowing there’s an empathy behind going from starting every day to coming in off the bench,” he said. “They know that I’m going through an adjustment period. Just constantly checking in, asking me how I’m doing, where’s your mind at, that kind of stuff. That’s what makes it feel like I’m in it with everybody, even though I’m not getting in every day now. I know at some point in the season, I’m going to be needed.”
Outfield coordinator and third base coach Luis Rojas admitted that “it’s got to be tough” on Grisham. But he pointed out some things that have likely kept Grisham on the bench. The Miami Marlins started three straight lefty pitchers against them this week, and left fielder Alex Verdugo, also a southpaw hitter, has looked better at the plate of late.
“He’s been such a pro,” Rojas said of Grisham. “He’s consistent every day.” — Kuty
(Top photo of Stanton after hitting a home run: Wendell Cruz / USA Today)