With the MLB All-Star game Tuesday, the New York Yankees have five players featured in the mid-summer classic – Gary Sanchez, DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, Aroldis Chapman, and Masahiro Tanaka. They enter the break credited with a 57-31 record and are 6.5 games ahead of Tampa Bay in first place for the AL East. Slugging 148 home runs and holding a team 4.17 ERA, the Bombers are in second place overall in the league.
Here are my grades given to the New York Yankees:
(Disclaimer: Position players listed must have a minimum of 100 at-bats and are currently on the active roster heading into the All-Star break. Opinions are my own.)Â
DJ LeMahieu: A+
DJ LeMahieu has been the Yankees’ MVP all season. Leading the team in batting average and RBIs, LeMahieu seems to come in clutch every opportunity he has. The Yankees’ infielder is batting .480 (36-75) with 51 runs knocked in with RISP. He is currently eighth for WAR position leaders. LeMahieu has been nothing short than phenomenal and deserves every right to be starting in the All-Star game. LeMahieu is also an American League MVP contender.
Gleyber Torres: A
Gleyber Torres is another Yankee all-star that should have been selected to begin with. Torres is batting .292 with 19 home runs and his slash line is equivalent with some of the league’s premier players this season. Torres being 22 years old with two all-star games is nothing short of special.
Luke Voit: A
Yankees’ slugger Luke Voit has been awesome to watch. Third on the team in home runs, while holding a .280 BA, Voit has been a big impact player for the Bombers. The Yankees’ first basemen held a 42 on-base streak this season which contributed to a lot of early-season wins for the team.
Brett Gardner: B+
Yankees’ veteran, Brett Gardner, is a “textbook” kind of ballplayer. Everything he does is with intent and hustle. Not the flashiest option, but Gardner does everything right. Only fanning 49 times this season, Gardner has shown some pop with 14 home runs – eight of them have given the Yankees the lead.
Gary Sanchez: A
The Gary Sanchez “haters” have been very quiet this season. Leading the team with 24 home runs, Sanchez just seems to be playing his own game. Another Yankee all-star, fans will see their catcher starting behind the dish for the American League team.
Gio Urshela: A
Gio Urshela was a guy that was told prior to the season he would be a “every-other-day” player and fill up roles. Urshela has proved he is much more than that. Defensively outstanding and strong at the plate, Urshela is credited to many Yankee wins this season and is extremely fun to watch.
Aaron Hicks: B
Aaron Hicks dealt with an injury this season and I believe is still trying to find a rhythm at the plate. Definitely capable of more however still a major piece in the Yankee lineup.
Cameron Maybin: B+
Cameron Maybin has been a role-filler for the Yankees and has truly proven himself. Many believed he was signed just to fill injury holes in the outfield but Maybin has shown he is here to stay in the Bronx. Batting .314 in 118 AB, Maybin has had some big hits in his limited playing time.
Aaron Judge: B+
Yankees’ slugger Aaron Judge has also dealt with injuries this season, not allowing him to get into full rhythm. Hitting a strong .281, Judge has nine home runs in 114 AB.
Mike Tauchman: B
I love everything about Mike Tauchman. Jumping up and down from triple-A to the big leagues is definitely a challenge but Tauchman has shown he can handle it. Being a role-filler, Tauchman recently caught a little fire heading into the All-Star break.