Yankees: Luke Voit ranked as the third best first baseman by MLB Network

New York Yankees, Luke Voit
Sep 15, 2020; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit (59) hits an RBI single during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees may be an arm short in the depth chart, but there is no question that their offense is among the very best in the league. The lineup is deep and extremely powerful, and Luke Voit is a big part of that.

In the 2020 season, Voit had a major power brekaout, even if the campaign had only 60 games. He had a major power breakout and lead MLB in home runs with 22. In addition, he slashed .277/.338/.610 with a .393 wOBA and a 152 wRC+.

MLB Network released a ranking of the best first basemen in MLB. The Yankees’ slugger appeared third on the list, only behind Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt.

Former Reds slugger Sean Casey, now working as an analyst, agreed on the fact that the third spot is appropriate for Voit, who was among the Yankees’ top contributors in the short season last year.

“I like it. I like it a lot,” Casey said Wednesday. “I think I had him right there on my list. The thing I like about Voit is, i think he continues to get better — .610 (slugging percentage) last year. I’ve been waiting for last season from a guy like Voit. … 22 home runs, 52 RBI, 156 OPS+. This guy, for me, was special. Defensively, he’s average or below average. But I don’t care. For a corner guy like Voit, this guy’s a stud.”

The Yankees’ feared slugger

Voit is entering his age-30 season, and will look to keep the power gains he made in 2020. He played in 56 games and had a very good .948 OPS despite a foot injury that limited him late in the season.

His name has appeared in trade rumors, especially before the calendar turned to 2021. However, it is highly unlikely that the Yankees decide to part with him.

“It’s part of it,” Voit said on the YES Network earlier in the offseason. “Everyone’s name gets thrown around. Everyone wants to be a GM.”

He will play out the season under a one-year, $4.7 million contract, as the Yankees and him avoided arbitration.