The New York Yankees are 18 games into the season and to no one’s surprise, Giancarlo Stanton was already placed on the Injured List with a hamstring injury. Stanton is expected to miss three to four weeks with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. With Stanton’s absence, this has allowed one slugger to step up and take his role.
First basemen/designated hitter Mike Ford has been called upon to take Stanton’s role as the DH. In eight games played so far this season, Ford is 5-22 with one homer. Last season, Ford appeared in 50 games and batted .259 with 12 home runs and 25 runs batted in. His biggest moment of the season was when he took a 98MPH fastball into the Yankee bullpen to walk-off against the Oakland Athletics.
After spending seven years in the minor leagues, the New York Yankees are finally calling upon Ford to have a big spot in the Yankee lineup. The jump between triple-A ball and the MLB is tough, but Ford has handled himself great so far and will get better with time.
With a smooth left stroke, Ford’s bat stays in the zone for much of swing which allows him to make quality contact. His ability to stay short to the ball and finish long is one of the main reasons why he can catch up to the high-90s fastballs and send them a long way.
I fully expect Ford to have a much bigger impact this year than he did last season. Especially with Stanton’s injury, this will allow Ford to step up to the plate (no pun intended) and be a big role in the lineup for the New York Yankees.