Meet the New York Yankees’ deadly extra-inning weapon

Mar 17, 2019; Clearwater, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Tyler Wade (14) dives back safely to first base in the second inning of the spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

With the restart of baseball in late-July, MLB and the players association implemented a few rule changes to try to speed up the pace of the game. One of those rules will benefit the New York Yankees because it involves baserunning, and they have a very good one in Tyler Wade.

According to a rule that has been in effect in the minors for a couple of years, but will enter the equation in the majors during the shortened season, every team will have a runner on second base after the ninth inning.

Wade is the fastest player in the New York Yankees’ roster, and one of the best and smartest baserunners.
Statcast has Wade as the fastest player on the Yankees with an average of 29.1 feet per second on the bases last year.

“That’s one of the most exhilarating feelings,” Wade said in a phone interview with NJ.com this week, “when everyone knows you’re going and you steal. So, I’m extremely comfortable. I love that. That stuff fires me up.”

A role made for Wade and the Yankees

The rule states that the player coming before the leadoff hitter in the extra-inning in question is put on second base. However, the manager can opt to swap out the runner. Enter Wade.

The speedy Wade was already expected to make the Yankees because of his speed and positional versatility. But this rule gives him an actual, prominent role. With Wade in the keystone, the team’s chances of scoring a run on a single, advancing to third on a deep fly ball, or even stealing a base increase.

During his career, Wade is 9-for-10 stealing bases. “Hopefully I’ll be out there doing that and hopefully we’ll get a championship,” he said.