Why Yankees Winning 20 Spring Training Games Matters

Boarding flights to Tampa a month ago there were tons of questions surrounding the 2017 New York Yankees. A week away from the season opener against the Rays, some of the Yankees biggest issues have been forgotten behind the sixth 20+ win spring training record in franchise history.

After a 24-10-1 spring training in 2009, the Yankees, of course, went on to win the World Series. That ’09 team was one in transition, and much like the 2017 Yankees needed the Tampa-based process for chemistry and familiarity. One of the biggest differences, however, is the identity of each team.

In ’09 the Bronx Bombers were a veteran heavy team you knew what you were getting with. These 2017 Baby Bombers as they are now universally referred to, are a young, scrappy bunch who’s potential is endless. World Series expectations are a bit too lofty at the moment, but let’s settle with the fact potential is turning into results much sooner than anyone predicted.

Winning last year’s triple-A championship with Scranton-Wilkes Barre and following it up with a 20 win spring training effort should be a clear indication of this teams direction.

Yankees Have no Questions about Bird’s Wing

The Yankee front office like many fans had many reservations when it came to Greg Bird’s shoulder. Some doubted if Bird could play every day off shoulder surgery and if he could hit left-handers consistently. Chris Carter is on New York’s roster simply from that suspicion alone.

Bird has done everything to indicate first base in the Bronx is in great hands. The man affectionately nicknamed the Birdman of the Bronx has arguably had the best spring in Tampa.14 of Greg’s 19 hits this spring have been of the extra-base variety.

Bird has the highest Slugging % by far of any everyday player on the Yankees this spring. And if an impressive .432 batting average isn’t enough, Greg posted 11 RBI and six home runs in 44 at-bats. In other words, take your doubt somewhere else.

Takeaways from Yankees 20 Wins

The Yankees will be without what will now be realized as an under-appreciated team leader in Sir Didi Gregorius for all of April. In Gregorius’ absence at the World Baseball Classic, most of the team reps went to Tyler Wade. It was a blessing in disguise because had Didi been in camp when he got injured Wade would have had much less field time and less at bats. With 38 at bats and 23 games played Wade might not be 100% ready for opening day, but he’s much more prepared than he could have been.

It was a blessing in disguise because had Didi been in camp when he got injured Wade would have had much less field time and less at bats. With 38 at bats and 23 games played Wade might not be 100% ready for opening day, but he’s much more prepared than he could have been.

Tampering expectations when it comes to Gary Sanchez has been one of the hardest things to do coming into the 2017 season. What Gary did in 2016 was almost not human and impossible to expect for an entire season. Sanchez in spring, however, has shown he is no fluke or a flash in the pan.

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Sanchez’s .341 batting average shows he has worked on his pitch selection and contact while still keeping his signature power, belting four home runs in 16 games.

Gary also continues to be a presence behind the dish even Hall-of-Famer Pudge Rodriguez would be proud of. Command of the game with the pitching staff and the reluctance by other teams to steal bases are priceless to the Yankees success.

Winning last year’s triple-A championship with Scranton-Wilkes Barre and following it up with a 20 win spring training effort should be a clear indication of this team’s direction.

For a year now the Yankees have boasted the best farm system in baseball, and now is the time for it to pay off in the majors. The two results are validation for Brian Cashman and the front office’s strategy of hanging onto young prospects and building via draft and trades rather than free agency.

A lot has also been said about the dire situation that exists with the back-end of the rotation. No, the Yankees do not know yet who will be the fourth and fifth starter. They also just optioned a pre-spring training favorite for that role in Luis Cessa. And even with Luis Severino still extremely unpredictable, the Yankees won 20 spring training games.

Yankees Ronald Torreyes Deserves to Start at Shortstop

Yankees Torreyes has earned the role of temporary starter. He is a better offensive player than Tejada and has more experience than Wade.

The problem has been offense the last few seasons, and if for no other reason, winning 20 games has given the Yankees their offensive confidence back as an organization.