New York Yankees‘ infielder/outfielder Miguel Andujar is still struggling at the plate and on the field, which prompted the team to option him again to the team’s alternate training site. While it’s true that he has been virtually forced to learn another position on the go (left field) and has always worked diligently to improve, he just hasn’t been able to project confidence out there in the outfield.
To make matters worse, the Yankees’ prized young player hasn’t been able to get going at the plate. The offense is his best attribute as a ballplayer, and when that facet of the game has been poor in the short season, the club’s hand is forced.
The New York Yankees, just like every other team, has to make quick decisions and patience is not plentiful with a 60-game calendar. Andujar, the 2018 Rookie of the Year runner-up, has been a prime example of this.
The Yankees miss his offensive output
On the season, Andujar has played eight games and has accumulated a pitiful .095/.136/.095 with no extra-base hits. It’s true that he hasn’t gotten the necessary reps to establish some kind of rhythm at the plate, but he hasn’t earned them.
On Wednesday evening against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees’ infielder went down on a three-pitch strikeout in a clutch situation. He hasn’t looked particularly good in left field either. He needs to work on his game.
The situation has resulted in less playing time for Andujar, and in a decrease of his trade value. It’s unclear whether teams would make a line to pay for a defensively-challenged infielder/outfielder that isn’t producing at the plate. The Yankees, under these circumstances, would be selling low on a talented asset.
It remains to be seen which path the team opts to take. But Miguel Andujar hasn’t been able to secure more playing time with his performance. It’s not for a lack of work and dedication, I can tell you that. But it just hasn’t happened yet.