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Yankees News: Didi Gregorius is already getting tips from A-Rod

By Caleb Gebrewold|

According to George A. King III of the New York Post, the New York Yankees new shortstop, and Derek Jeter replacement, Didi Gregorius is already getting some tips from returning third baseman Alex Rodriguez.  While many of those who still support Rodriguez would love to see him get a crack at shortstop, it is Gregorius who will ultimately man the position in 2015, and the Yankees will need his hitting to improve.

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Gregorius is viewed as a great fielder, but there are many questions about his ability to hit left-handed pitching.  So much so that there has been talk that he could end up in a platoon with light hitting Brendan Ryan.  When asked if he has had the chance to speak to A-Rod, Gregorius responded:

"Just a little.  He gave me some tips about hitting."

Rodriguez has made his share of mistakes in baseball, and while some fans have accepted his return, others never will.  One thing that nobody can deny is that with or without the steroids, Rodriguez was blessed with a talent to hit, is a hard worker, and a student of hitting.

A-Rod has served his suspension and players like Gregorius would be smart to pick his mind, as he has always been very talented with the bat, evident by the fact that he led the league in hitting in his first full season as a big leaguer.  While I’m sure many will say it was due to steroids, there is no evidence he was taking anything then, and steroids do not help you make contact with the ball.

Gregorius has stated several times this winter that he is not replacing Jeter, which is true, but regardless of that, he is still the first player to man shortstop after one of the greatest players in Yankees history, and the greatest most fans have ever seen.  The Yankees are not sure whether A-Rod can still hit big league pitching, and after 16 months away, they are not wrong to wonder.  If Rodriguez is limited to a platoon role, he can surely serve as a mentor.

Teams like to have a few veterans to help the younger players, and while the Yankees do have two hitting coaches that could help retool Didi’s swing, neither has the MLB résumé of A-Rod.  Didi just turned 25, and after putting up a .252/.332/.373 slash line in 2013, he regressed to a slash line of .226/.290/.363 last year.

The Yankees are banking on this being due to a sophomore slump, and hoping that he will bounce back strong in 2015 with a move to Yankee Stadium, a ballpark that always helps left-handed batters.  Didi seems determined to improve, as evident by him picking A-Rod’s mind this early.

Hopefully, he is able to make those improvements.

Next: Who is the Most Watched Pitcher after Tanaka this Spring?

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