New York Yankees utility player Tyler Wade has shown some potential, but hasn’t yet proven himself at the major league level. However, he may have the chance to in 2020 with an extended role.
What He’s Done And What He Brings
Wade has spent parts of three years in the MLB, but never really got much going until the end of 2019. He bat .155 in 2017 and .167 in 2018, but managed to hit .245 in 94 at-bats in 2019. As a backup, batting around .250 would be all the Yankees would need him to do.
He’s got a really good glove, and is the most versatile player in the organization. He can play second, third, and shortstop, and can also play all three outfield positions. His primary position is however shortstop.
Wade is also one of the fastest players in the MLB, and that contributes to his versatility.
He’s struggled at times in AAA, but in part of not being able to get adjusted. Right when he would get adjusted in Scranton, he would get called up and opposite. Wade is also running low on minor league options, so that could play a factor soon.
A Bigger Role
Wade will be prepared to take on a much bigger role in 2020. With Didi Gregorius likely not coming back, he could have the opportunity to play shortstop when Gleyber Torres isn’t and play second at times that DJ LeMahieu isn’t. He could even give Gio Urshela or Miguel Andujar a day off at third.
He would continue to pinch run and get occasional starts in the outfield.
I think that in 2020, Tyler Wade has a good shot at spending most of the year in the big leagues. He looked to finally get comfortable in September of 2019, and hopefully that will carry over to 2020.