New York Yankees: Mike Tauchman is due for a break out season

Mike Tauchman, New York Yankees
Jul 31, 2019; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Mike Tauchman (39) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Tauchman has been a slow blooming acquisition of the New York Yankees from the Colorado Rockies. He has spent most of his time in the minors but also has shown his abilities to play almost anywhere on the field, and late last season became one of the Yankees hottest bats. Let’s find out a bit more about this versatile player.
 
Mike is 29 years old, he is a multi-talented athlete having attended high school in Palatine, Illinois where he played baseball and was the quarterback for the football team. In his senior year, he led a come- from- behind win against future NFL quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. He attended Bradley University where he played baseball for the Bradley Braves. In his senior, he won the Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Player of the Year Award.
 
The Colorado Rockies selected Tauchman in the 2013 draft. In 2017 he would see 31 games in the majors for the Rockies and would bat .222. In a week in May of 2018, he would hit five home runs, hit .417, drive in eight and have 27 bases while in the Pacific Coast League. But in 21 games with the Rockies, he would hit just .094. Just before the end of spring training in 2019, the Rockies would trade Tauchman to the Yankees.
 
Mike came over to the Yankees with the reputation of being a good fielder and not much of a hitter, and that was largely true for the first two months of the season, which he spent as the team’s reserve outfielder. When Aaron Hicks returned from his injury he was demoted back to the minor leagues, where his story could have easily ended. However, it didn’t. With the unprecedented injuries that kept popping up last season, Tauchman would again see himself at the Stadium. After getting recalled again in late June, Tauchman went on a tear to close out the rest of the season, a phenomenon that can best be described as “Tauch-mania.” After slashing .228/.318/.404 with four home runs in 42 games before the All-Star break, Tauchman turned it on in the dog days. In his final 45 games, Tauchman powered nine home runs, 20 extra-base hits, 30 RBI and slashed .315/.395/.582. Tauchman’s peak came in July when he had 13 RBI in 16 games, plus an OPS of 1.224 while proving to be an excellent defender in left field.
 
Unfortunately, Tauchman’s season came to a premature end after a Grade 2 calf strain sidelined him in September. He likely wouldn’t have played much in the playoffs anyway, but it was a sour end to a breakout season for Tauchman.
 
Just like last year’s stand out Gio Urshela blasted onto the scene, so this year will Mike Tauchman, who will come into his own as a regular player. Tauchman did a fine job last year on his trips between Scranton Wilkes/Barre and the Stadium. His defense in left field was nothing short of excellent. As he has more constant at-bats, he looks to him to become more contact and consistent behind the plate. With his increased at-bats last season he slugged .504. He likes New York, and at 29 he wants to make his mark. Look for Mike Tauchman to have a break out year.
 
Mike is married to his wife Eileen since January 7, 2017. Mike has a 4- year old dog named Kota. The husky mix was born in New Mexico and was rescued by Mike and his wife. He “loves traveling around the country with mom and dad” according to Mike. When he hit his first 3 run home run against the Red Sox, he desperately wanted the ball back. Working with security staff, he got the ball back for a few signed balls and some photos.