Yangervis Solarte: The Running Man

Jun 6, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Yankees third basemen Yangervis Solarte (26) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Yangervis Solarte has burst onto the scene this year as one of the most exciting young players in baseball. Solarte has put together some exciting numbers thus far, hitting an impressive .288 with 6 home runs and 28 RBI, but have you noticed how he sprints to first base? Have you ever wondered to yourself why? The 26-year-old rookie says it’s not because he want’s attention, instead he does it to keep loose on the base paths and in the field. “I like how it makes me feel on the bases,” Solarte said to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com. “It makes me stretched more.” The theory of staying loose to avoid injury has definitely helped Solarte who, has played 59 of 63 games this season, and the 4 games he has missed were not due to injury. 

Manager Joe Girardi said it’s just another sign Solarte is playing  hard.  “I like it,” the manager said. “It’s probably the energy he has, the excitement of being here, and you love seeing people excited to do what they’re doing. I mean, to me, that’s pretty neat to watch. “When told that Solarte sprints to first to keep from tightening up, Girardi said, “That’s smart.” “The game is bunch of bursts, in a sense,”  “And you do want to stay loose.”

Veteran Alfonso Soriano noticed how Solarte hustled during spring training but didn’t think much of it, saying he just thought of it as another youngster trying to stand out. It turns out, Solarte is in fact not just another youngster, he is a potential Rookie of the Year candidate at this point.

Hustle on Solarte!