Another week of Spring Training is in the books. Let’s take a visit to Tampa, and see the latest news to come out of the Yankees’ camp.
Gio Urshela: Shortstop?
In my latest roster projection for the Yankees, I predicted Tyler Wade to make the team as the backup shortstop. Of course, this isn’t exactly a bold prediction or anything.
However, the Yankees turned some heads on Tuesday when Gio Urshela got the start at short. Urshela, a third baseman by trade, has played a little bit up the middle in the past. He started 8 games at short for the Blue Jays in 2018, and played 5 games there for Cleveland in 2017.
So, will this spell the end for Tyler Wade’s tenure? Not likely.
As Boone said, this seems like a situation that we may see if the Yankees are ever, “in a pinch”. This statement makes it appear that Urshela at shortstop would likely be more of an emergency role. The Colombian-born Urshela is still the full-time third baseman, and the Yankees shouldn’t enter the year without a bench player who can play shortstop.
A Wade-less bench would likely be some varation of the following players: Jay Bruce, Mike Tauchman, Derek Dietrich, Mike Ford, and Kyle Higashioka. Naturally, Higashioka’s job is safe (as the backup catcher). Out of the other four players, none of them have ever played shortstop at the major league level.
Dietrich could be tempting, especially with experience at first, second, and third. However, the Yanks would likely not feel comfortable entering the year without another player who has experience at short.
So, Tyler Wade’s job is safe (for now).
Domingo Germán’s Dominance
Domingo Germán has continued to show off his stuff this spring. In three starts, the Dominican-born righthander has thrown 9 scoreless innings, with 13 strikeouts and just one walk. In that span, he’s allowed 5 hits.
Entering Spring Training, nothing was guaranteed for Germán. After his suspension for domestic violence, he had to apologize to his teammates for his conduct. But, for better or worse, his performance thus far may be changing the perception around him in the clubhouse.
Domestic abusers who are good at baseball usually get a pass to return to the league. This happened with Aroldis Chapman, it happened with Roberto Osuna, it happened with Odubel Herrera, it happened with Jose Reyes. Point being, it happens relatively often. And Germán’s situation apparently isn’t any different.
Germán seems to be battling against Deivi Garcia for the 5th spot in the rotation. However, the Yankees may also roll with a 6-man rotation, which would allow both arms to get innings this season.
Either way, Germán seems to be on his way to the Yankees’ starting rotation in 2021.
2021: The Year of Clint Frazier
The story of Clint Frazier is pretty well-documented. He came up in 2017, and has flashed his incredible bat speed and hitting prowess at every opportunity. But those opportunities have come rather sparingly for the man sometimes known as “Red Thunder”.
This year, though, things will be different. Frazier has already received the Yankees’ blessing as the team’s starting left fielder. In 2021, he will get a chance to play a full 162 for the first time in his career (he has played 162 games total since his 2017 debut).
If this spring is any indication, Frazier is not about to let the opportunity go to waste. So far, the 26-year-old outfielder is absolutely raking in Spring Training. Heading into Wednesday’s game, Frazier is slashing .304/.333/.565 in 9 games, with a pair of home runs.
Frazier is in the lineup again on Wednesday, and is among the Yankee leaders in at-bats this spring. If there is ever a time for the exciting young outfielder to break out, it’s the upcoming season.
The Yankees’ New Big Three?
A few weeks ago, if somebody asked a Yankee fan to name the ‘Big Three’ in the bullpen, they would likely say Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, and Chad Green. But the Yanks have a different ‘Big Three’ that has been showing out in the spring to this point.
Entering Wednesday’s games, the trio of Jonathan Loaisiga, Nick Nelson, and Lucas Luetge have combined for 19 & 2/3 scoreless innings.
Now, of course, these guys won’t be an actual ‘Big Three’ in the vein of Chapman-Britton-Green. However, all three have dominated in their respective roles, and we will likely see all three on the roster at some point this season.
Loaisiga has already logged 79 & 1/3 innings in the majors, and was considered a lock to make the bullpen before the spring even began. Nelson has showed out big time, impressing Yankees brass and making a great case for the Opening Day roster.
Naturally, nothing is set in stone, especially not with several weeks remaining in Spring Training. However, this is a very strong endorsement from Boone, and a sign that we will see Nelson in the bullpen if his strong performance continues.
Lucas Luetge is a really interesting case, and a great story. He hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2015, but looks like he could finally end his personal curse this season. With the injury to the left-handed Britton (keeping him out for several months), the Yanks could look to add another lefty to the bullpen in his place.
Luetge fits that profile, and has impressed many within the Yankees’ organization this spring. Aaron Boone has offered a lot of praise, telling Max Goodman of Sports Illustrated, “He’s got all the spin numbers that take you back a little bit. Even though he’s not overpowering with the fastball, the fastball really plays as well.”
All three of these pitchers could realistically make the Opening Day roster, as well. With the injury to Britton, the Yankees have several open spots in the bullpen. With locks in Chapman, Green, O’Day, Wilson, Loaisiga, and Cessa, there’s still two available spots in that mix.
However, a situation in which both Nelson and Luetge can make the roster is dependent on one thing: the fate of whoever loses the battle between Domingo Germán and Deivi Garcia. As I discussed earlier, the Yankees could potentially roll with a 6-man rotation, and give both pitchers a starting role.
If this is the case, then the team would utilize a 7-man bullpen, and be forced to choose one of Nelson/Luetge. However, if the Yankees stay with a traditional 5-man rotation, then there would be room to potentially stash both relievers in the ‘pen.
So, while Nelson and Luetge may not both be able to make the Opening Day roster, they are certainly making their cases as best they can.