By Mikael DeSanto
Sports Assignment Editor
It’s been a little over a month since the MLB Trade Deadline, before the New York Yankees fans watched possibly the three best players, aside from Didi Gregorius, be traded: Carlos Beltran to the Texas Rangers, Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians and Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs.
The trades brought in a group of new players, mostly prospects, to the organization. It also opened up three roster spots in the majors. Those spots came to be filled by Tyler Austin, Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez, which the media affectionately nicknamed “The Baby Bombers” to play off the team nickname “The Bronx Bombers.” But they have definitely lived up to the name.
Tyler Austin
Austin, a first baseman, can also play the corner outfield spots, and currently sits behind veteran Mark Teixeira, whose spot as starter will open up at the end of the year when he retires. Austin started off his career with a bang, hitting a homerun over the right field wall at Yankee Stadium in his first at bat. Some fans have become frustrated with how he has been treated, getting limited at bats, 46 in 15 games since Aug. 13. In those 15 games, Austin had a .217 batting average with two homeruns and six runs batted in, which isn’t normally good from a promising talent like him. But at the tender age of 25, Austin has time ahead of him to grow and a mentor in Teixeira to learn from, and he has proved himself a proficient fielder at first base. In 105 innings at the position, Austin has not committed a single error, has 10 assists and has been a part of seven double plays. The hitting struggles can be fixed, but being natural at a position is not taught.
Aaron Judge
Judge also got his chance, debuting along with Austin on Aug. 13, hitting a homerun right after him, making them the first rookies to hit back-to-back homeruns in their first at-bats. The 6-foot-7 outfielder started off well. He hit .308 through his first seven games after jumping into the starting right fielder role. Judge has since tailed off, sitting at .174 with three homeruns and nine runs batted in through 21 games. His fielding, which was expected to be his worst “tool” or skill, has not been bad. In his first 173 innings, he committed one error and held a .964 fielding percentage. This means Judge fielded 96.4 percent of the balls that have come his way, a solid number. But like Austin, he is young, 24 years old to be exact, and should grow with experience. The outfield he currently plays in should help him, as he can learn from veterans like Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner. He has natural raw power, a good throwing arm and the athletic ability it takes to make it in professional baseball. As long as he remains teachable, he should be fine.
Gary Sanchez
Sanchez has been the standout. At 23 years old, Sanchez has been in the Yankee organization since he was 16, and is the only one of the three with MLB experience prior to this season, albeit two games. Through 30 games this season, Sanchez batted .348 with 11 homeruns and 21 runs batted in, making him the first player to ever hit 11 homeruns in their first 23 career games. As a catcher, he has been capable in 21 games, all he has started, with a .995 fielding percentage, one error and nine runners caught stealing. His time sitting in the minors trying to find a way to make it to the majors may have helped him, as he learned how to be a ball player, pick his spots and attack the ball at the plate. He has a flow to his game that doesn’t come naturally to most. But, like Austin and Judge, he still has room for development and can be mentored by guys like Brian McCann, who has proved he can manage a pitching rotation. Sanchez has all the tools to be a great player and a catcher for a long time.
The future is looking bright in New York right now, and even though the Yankees might not be ready yet, the team could be dangerous in a few years. If the organization can continue these young players’ development and keep bringing in guys who will work hard for their opportunity, the climb back to the top will be a fun one.
desantmj13@bonaventure.edu
