Andy Martino of SNY is reporting that the New York Yankees are placing infielder J.D. Davis on the IL, and that has resulted in infielder Jorbit Vivas getting promoted. The 23-year-old infielder was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers alongside Victor Gonzalez for Trey Sweeney, and he’s taken Triple-A by storm with a .404 OBP and 122 wRC+, getting particularly hot over his last 20 games where he’s posted a 1.080 OPS and hit five home runs. This is a deserved promotion that could give the Yankees some needed infield depth, although he may not start tonight against a lefty.
Both Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu have struggled to do much of anything offensively this season, but Jorbit Vivas might be able to give them a much-needed left-handed punch.
Jorbit Vivas Promoted by the Yankees, J.D. Davis Placed on IL
This has been an excellent campaign for Jorbit Vivas thus far, as he’s done an excellent job lifting the ball more often and generating pullside power. The Yankees paid a hefty price initially to acquire him, trading their 2021 first-round pick Trey Sweeney to acquire his services. Vivas, who is in his first full season at Triple-A, had two different stints on the IL before catching fire in Triple-A in his most recent stint.
Since coming back from the IL he’s hit five home runs and has a .411 OBP, but it’s been a surge in late June that has put him on the map. Plenty of fans have caught wind of his excellent play as of late, and the Yankees are making an aggressive promotion here to have the 23-year-old come up and take J.D. Davis’ place. He can play both second and third base and has the speed and athleticism to steal bases when needed as well.
His swing decisions are excellent, ranking in the 68th Percentile in SEAGER and knowing how to work his walks with a 17.2% walk rate. He makes a ton of contact as well, ranking in the 84th Percentile in Zone Contact Rates with a sub-20% strikeout rate, and the Yankees should be getting a hitter who can take advantage of the short porch in right field. This could be a nice boost for the infield if he’s able to get the bat going at the Major League level, and the Yankees are taking a chance on what could be a difference-maker in the infield.