Yankees News: Didi Gregorius Admits Batting Woes

The New York Yankees have been undergoing a variety of changes, specifically at the shortstop position. Prior to the 2015 season, the Yankees acquired shortstop Didi Gregorius from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-team deal; the deal also included the Detroit Tigers.

The terms of the deal, essentially, exchanged the 25-year-old shortstop to New York. In return the Diamondbacks had acquired Robbie Ray and Domingo Leyba from the Tigers. In addition, the Tigers had acquired pitcher Shane Greene from the Yankees, who has provided immediate impact for the Tigers organization.

Gregorius, known as a spectacular fielder, has been more than a disappointment thus far. Through 36 games, Gregorius has been batting a measly .217; you’d think that Gregorius would make up for it defensively, but Gregorius has committed five errors. Five errors may not seem as awful as it sounds, but allowing infield hits periodically is something Yankees’ fans do not want to grow accustom to.

According to Dan Martin’s article on the New York Post, Gregorius had admitted that he was lost at the plate. When asked about clicking offensively, Gregorius answered by openly saying, “I don’t feel it, but who knows?”

“I don’t feel it, but who knows?” –Didi Gregorius

Gregorius continued, “You never know. Maybe I start hitting all of a sudden.”

What was expected was for Gregorius to have a nervous nature playing in New York, after all he’s Derek Jeter‘s heir, isn’t he? Granted, 36 games in the Yankees did not intend for Gregorius to impact the lineup in astounding fashion, but enough to drive in runs towards the bottom of the lineup.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY SportsWatching the shortstop bat is quite the journey. As he steps into the left-hander’s batting box, you can sense a feeling of uncertainty and indecision. If the individual, being Gregorius, is not confident in his batting attributes, how can the organization and fans be?

Given Gregorius’ struggles, fans hope that the shortstop would soon find his niche to provide a presence towards the latter of the lineup. In addition to the previous quotes, Gregorius had stated that the only way to improve is to be consistent in the batting cages and on the field. “I just keep working hard in the cage. That’s how it all starts.”

Both the Yankees and Gregorius hope that with the consistent effort, Gregorius can live up to the potential he upholds.

It’s important to note that Gregorius belted his first home run as a Yankee in Friday’s 10-9 loss to the Texas Rangers. Maybe that long ball will begin to instill some level of confidence into the bat of the young shortstop going forward.

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