Yankees News: Rob Refsnyder is done trying to be perfect

As Stephen Drew‘s struggles from a year ago have carried over into 2015, many fans of the New York Yankees are calling for the promotion of Rob Refsnyder.  Refsnyder, has been the opposite of Drew, as he has been on fire of late, something he attributes to finally being able to relax after a tough beginning of the season, where he was trying to be perfect:

"I was trying to hit my way out of here and that’s not a recipe for success.  I’ve found the confidence.  It’s back.  It’s been a learning experience, for sure."

Refsnyder, who was named the International League’s Batter of the Week on Monday, hit .400 with six extra-base hits, and two home runs.  He entered Thursday hitting .393 (33-for-84) in his last 21 games.  He has also improved his defense, something he entered 2015 really needing to work on, as he has committed only two errors in the past 17 games.

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After a Spring Training that saw him hit .364 in 44 at-bats, yet commit six errors, Refsnyder worked closely on his footwork and turning double plays with infield instructor Joe Espada.  Refsnyder felt he was putting too much pressure on himself:

"It was awful.  In Spring Training, I was honestly trying to be perfect.  I was trying to do everything correctly and right and it just wasn’t working.  I was making error after error."

Refsnyder let that pressure carry over into the season, as he committed seven errors in only 14 games, while hitting .193 (11-for-57) in those games.  Refsnyder attributes his turnaround to the help of hitting coach Marcus Thames, more aggression at second base, and avoiding worrying about what’s happening in the majors:

"If I’m going to make mistakes, I’m going to make them the way I want to play the game, and I’m trying to play the position as aggressively as possible to be honest.  And I’m making a lot of great plays that I wouldn’t have been making if I was trying to play safe.  And if I make errors, it’s going to happen.  I’ve been having enough trouble trying to get back on track to find it at the plate and on the field.  I can’t (worry about the major league club).  I’ll let those guys worry about all that kind of stuff.  I’m trying to get better."

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