The New York Yankees 31-year-old David John “DJ” LeMahieu will start his second year with the Yankees and quickly become a favorite player among all fans. The Cubs selected LeMahieu in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut for the Cubs in 2011 before being traded to the Rockies before the 2012 season. LeMahieu won a Gold Glove Award in 2014, 2017, and 2018 and was named an MLB All-Star in 2015 and 2017, and won the National League batting title in 2016. After becoming a free agent, he signed with the Yankees before the 2019 season.
DJ was born in California, but his family moved to Michigan where he attended high school. When in high school he played as a shortstop
and pitcher for the school’s baseball team. In his senior year, as a
leadoff hitter, he batted .574 with eight home runs, 16 doubles,
seven triples, 70 runs scored, 32 runs batted in (RBIs), and 39
stolen bases.
Although he was selected in the draft by the Detroit Tigers he decided to attend Lousiana State University instead. He was a shortstop for the baseball team and excelled with a .350 batting average. He later transitioned from shortstop to second base. LeMahieu was selected to the 2009 College World Series All-Tournament team. He hit .444 in the series leading all players in the series with 12 hits.
After being selected by the Cubs in the 2009 draft, his Cubs career didn’t last as the Cubs traded LeMahieu to the Colorado
Rockies in 2011. In May of the following year, he was called up to replace an injured player. In August, he recorded his career-best four-hit game against the Brewers for a 9-6 Rockies win. Later in August, LeMahieu
wrote his name into the record books, as he recorded 12 assists in a
9-inning victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the 28th. He was
2015 All-Star and in 2016 LeMahieu won the National League batting
title. His .348 season average led all of Major League Baseball.
He was 2017 All-Star, and in 2018 he was named the best defensive
player in all of the majors.
DJ becomes a New York Yankee
DJ always wanted to play for the New York Yankees. His childhood idol was Derek Jeter. He, in an interview, said that he wanted to be like Jeter and modeled his on the field and off the field life after him. On January 14th of last year, DJ signed a $24 million two year contract with our Yankees. He couldn’t have the number 2, so he selected #26. During his short time with the Yankees, he has played shortstop and third base but primarily second base, where he has excelled. The Yankee orgainization refer to him as the super utility player. He quickly became a fan favorite for his frequent and timely hitting and good play at second base. For his hitting, he was coined “the Machine.”
Last season he had the most hits of any Yankee and was third in runs batted in. He also had the most doubles. Although he is not a home run hitter he provides that much needed timely hitting that is missing from some of the home run hitters. DJ has turned out to be more than the Yankees could have ever hoped for. He plays 2nd 3rd, SS and a back up of Voit at first.
LeMahieu ended his first season batting .327 with 197 hits, 102 RBI’s, and an OPS of .893. He also had the most singles of any player in baseball. After the season, MLB awarded him the Silver Slugger Award, and the New York Yankees named him it’s MVP. The only question is if DJ can repeat his 2019 performance in the shortened 2020 season, if there is one.
LeMahieu will become a free agent at the end of the season, even if there is no baseball played this year. Of all the 2020-2021 free agents, he is a lock to be given a contract extension. DJ has said he loves playing for the Yankees and hopes to remain on the team.
As I stated before DJ is 31 years old and will turn 32 on August 31. He is married to his wife Jordan since 2014 who is a real estate agent. They have made the decision to keep information about their children under wraps. He is presently living in New York City during the season where he and his wife are loving the city and being with the Yankees. They have a winter residence in Birmingham, Michigan where other family members live. LeMahieu immediately blended in with the team and is well liked in the clubhouse.