New York Yankees: Brett Gardner On Absolute Fire To End May

New York Yankees, Brett Gardner
Jun 2, 2018; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) reacts after hitting a double during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

After a terrible start to the season, it seems that New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is figuring things out. After his average was around .200 for the first five or six weeks of the season, Gardner has raised his average to .240 after a stretch of good games.

A solid last week

Over his previous seven games, Gardner has been batting .435. Despite just one home run and two RBIs in that span (coming from Monday alone), he keeps getting on base.

Gardner just keeps doing his thing, mashing singles to all parts of the field. He is also arguably the most disciplined hitter in the MLB, working long at-bats, fouling off pitches, and rarely chasing.

Though he is 35, it still doesn’t stop him from laying a bunt down, beating out an infield hit, or stealing a bag.

Gardner continues to play solid defense in left field and center field. The only thing that holds him back is his weak throwing arm.

Helps the position battle

Once Giancarlo Stanton comes back for the Yankees, the team will face tough decisions on who stays and who goes. There are really only two options.

Option 1: Send Clint Frazier down, keep Cameron Maybin

Option 2: Keep Frazier up, get rid of Maybin

No matter who they keep, Maybin or Frazier, Gardner will have to compete with them for playing time.

Maybin has a very similar playing style as Gardner, he may just be a bit faster.

Frazier is probably the best hitter of the three, but has average speed and his defense is a liability. In close games, he is often pulled for defense.

So, if Gardner keeps playing well, it may help him see more playing time in the near future and even hold on to a starting spot until Aaron Judge is healthy.