The New York Yankees will play 60 games in this shortened season and are poised to go all the way. The predictions although some may come true, are more for fun and debate than anything. One prediction I will not make is if this baseball season can be completed during a coronavirus pandemic. If it can’t be completed, none of my predictions will come true. But, being an optimist, I am basing these predictions on the best possible outcome.
10. Gary Sanchez will be second in home runs!
Gary Sanchez with fight Giancarlo Stanton for the second-most home runs in the season. His defense behind the plate will again improve, showing the results of his work with new pitching coach Tanner Swanson. Sanchez may have his first injury-free season, mostly due to the shortened season. He will catch in just 40 games with Kyle Higashioka will be catching in the remaining games. With Stanton and Sanchez, who wins the title of 2nd most home runs will rest on who can stay injury-free.
9. Â DJ LeMahieu will be good, but not as good!
DJ LeMahieu after a slow start will have a good season, being on base frequently. His defense will be MVP-like, but his time behind the plate will not be as effective. His slow start may be due not starting on time and remaining somewhat weak early on due to his coronavirus infection. His last 30 games will be better than his first 30. Instead of his .327 leading batting average, he will end up the season in the .280’s.
8. Clint Frazier will shine in his first full season!
A more mature Clint Frazier will finally prove to the Yankees that he is worth having on the team. He will show his determination by fighting through a season with a foot ailment. His improved fielding will be needed this season and his quick bat will make him a DJ LeMahieu-like player for the Yankees in this short season.
7. Does Giancarlo Stanton return to the player he was in 2017?
Giancarlo Stanton will have a relatively healthy season with the Yankees. He will show signs of the type of player that got him the MVP Award, with the Marlins in 2017. Although he will not top the team in home runs, he will have fewer strikeouts and will be more productive. If he stays healthy he could be second in home runs.
6. Gerrit Cole will not lose a 2020 game!
Gerrit Cole after going 20-5 with the Houston Astros he will again shine for the New York Yankees. Although he will not lose a game, he will have two or three no-decisions in his ten or eleven starts in the short season. The Yankee’s excellent bullpen will keep him from losing games. In the postseason he will pitch to the greatness of the Yankee’s Andy Pettitte. I would like to add that Justin Verlander will not replicate his 2019 and that Cole will win the Cy Young Award. He has come in 4th and 5th, last year, 2nd in the voting. This year he will win it as New York Yankee.
5. Gio Urshela will show 2019 was no fluke.
2019 was a break out season for the man at the hot corner that replaced the injured Miguel Andujar, that underwent shoulder surgery. He made Gold Glove after Gold Glove catches at 3rd. He surprised the team with his better than expected play behind the plate. Although he may not make his 2019 batting average of .314, he nevertheless will prove his worth behind the plate and at the hot corner.
4. Aaron Judge will again have an injury-shortened season.
Aaron Judge will have an average season, that he will not get through, without further injuries. Although he will be 4th in home runs for the team, he will lack playing time in the field, even though manager Aaron Boone will be protective of him. His oversized body and musculature will surely hamper his season again.
3. The Yankees will win 48 games in the short-season.
After the New York Yankees won 100 and 103 games during the last two seasons, they this year, will win 48 games. The Yankees will dominate their traditional rivals in the east along with the Miami Marlins. The few games they will lose will mostly be with the Nationals, Phillies and the Atlanta Braves. The addition of Gerrit Cole will offset the loss of Domingo German and Luis Severino.
2. Gleyber Torres will be the Yankees MVP.
Gleyber Torres although taking on a new job this season as the Yankee shortstop will shine again topping his 2019 performance and will lead the team again in home runs and doubles. He will win the MVP for his performance behind the plate. Although he will not be the best of shortstops, his efforts to be the best, will turn out to be adequate.
1. The New York Yankees will win their 28th World Championship.
Before the coronavirus struck and the season was shut down, the New York Yankees were the odds on favorites to win the division and the World Series. The shortened season has not changed that, in fact, the shut down allowed injured players to recover and be ready for play at the beginning of the season. Although there will be injuries, they will not come close to eclipsing 2019. The shortened season will cause fewer injuries.
With the new divisions set up, the New York Yankees will fight the Washington Nationals all season for the leadership in the East Division, but will prevail and face the Los Angeles Dodgers for the World Title, and will accomplish that goal of a 28th World Championship.
If there was to be a number 11 in this list, it would be Miguel Andujar, who will have an excellent season, nearing the top of the team in home runs and on-base percentage. He will prove during the season that he can play almost anywhere adequately.
EmpireSportsMedia.com’s Columnist William Parlee is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research. Follow me on Twitter @parleewilliam.