Everyone remembers Mike Ford’s pitch hitting walk-off home run against the Oakland Athletics last season, but there’s a bigger meaning behind Ford’s role on the New York Yankees. Ford’s swing is underlooked, as he has some serious power coming from the left side.
With Didi Gregorius looking like he won’t return in pinstripes next season, the Yankees are lacking left-handed power. The team currently only has three players swinging it from the left side who are Ford, Tyler Wade, and Mike Tauchman.
Ford appeared in 50 games for the New York Yankees last season where he posted a .259 batting average and slugged 12 home runs knocking in 25 RBIs. He did really well for the position he was thrown in and earned his spot in those games.
It looks like between Luke Voit and DJ LeMahieu, first base is pretty much locked up for next season. However, I think Ford will find himself in the designated hitter role a considerable amount. Especially since the Yankees don’t have many left-handers, he is definitely one of the better options as a DH coming off the bench.
Ford had an incredible year down in triple-A with the Railriders. He slugged .303 with a .401 OBP while hitting 23 home runs through 79 games. In 349 plate appearances, Ford only fanned 55 times.
Besides Ford, Clint Frazier, Mike Tauchman, and Miguel Andujar are all guys that can swing it as well and potentially be in the DH spot. I believe it’s all going to come down who stays healthy and frankly whoever is producing the most at the plate.