Yankees Editorial: Is Didi Gregorius Feeling The Heat In April?

New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius has gotten off to a very rough start in this new chapter of his career. Whether it’s hitting or fielding, there has been no bright spot for him yet this season. The main thing to realize are the circumstances that may be playing a part in this. New field, new areas, completely different fans, having the guy’s name you had to replace being shouted at you during your at-bats can’t help either. Those are just some things that he’s been dealing with, things he never had to deal with before.

If you’re a fan that has some sense, this should be irritating you, and making you have at least some sympathy for Didi. By no means am I saying his playing hasn’t deserved some questioning, but nine games into the season? For him to be this ridiculed? You’re able to hear chants for Derek Jeter even through your TV, every time Didi comes to bat. Nine games and it’s already gotten old, and one important Yankees figure has taken a stance to the fans doing this.

Michael Kay has been putting them down as fast as they come on Twitter recently. He’s been getting an overload of questions on Didi, mostly foolish statements which should be held onto for another month or two at least. Some took clear disliking to Kay’s quick-witted responses and some (like me) agreed fully. If the “fans” doing these clearly unwanted chants for his at bats were actually fans, they’d see if it is doing anything, it certainly isn’t helping. Though no one can know except for him whether the pressure is actually effecting him, I can’t imagine it helping his confidence.

There’s no doubt he’s going to need more time to get into starting form, if he does. The fielding highlights that Yankees fans saw this off-season, that talent, it simply can’t just vanish. The hitting was really the only question coming into this season. Besides only nine games being played so far (which is a pretty good reason itself), Kay brought up something very interesting adding on to the early speculations being out of line.

He recalled Tino Martinez almost being booed out of the stadium in April, this being back in 1996, but some things don’t change. The Yankees brought Didi to New York mostly for his defense, and it appears they might have to wait for it to come back. Seeing how Tino’s career turned out though, maybe Yanks’ fans should just boo him until he makes a statement play like Tino did (not really).

I expect Didi to get on track by the end of this month, at least fielding wise. He’s had multiple chances to make web gem plays this season, and it seems he just can’t get a grip on the ball. Whether its mental or physical mechanics, it has to be fixed soon. Trying to run him out-of-town in April is laughable though. As is expecting the Yankees to find the next Derek Jeter, the year after he leaves.

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