Yankees New Year’s Resolutions for the 2018 season

Second Baseman – Ronald Torreyes

New Year’s Resolution: Improve plate discipline

Chances are Ronald Torreyes will not be the everyday second baseman or third baseman for the Yankees in 2018. However, the utility man nicknamed ‘Toe‘ had an impressive 2017 season, which provoked some to argue he’s indispensable. Afterall, a batting average of .291 nowadays is rare.

His mediocre .314 on-base percentage and lack of power make it difficult to keep him in the lineup. Torreyes will probably start on Opening Day and fill the position until Gleyber Torres is brought up from the minors.

There’s a chance manager Aaron Boone decides to start Tyler Wade instead of Torreyes. There’s also a possibility Torreyes competes for a starting third base job with prospect Miguel Andujar.

Bottom line, Torreyes is a valuable bench player who needs to improve his on-base percentage to become a starter.

Shortstop – Didi Gregorius

New Year’s Resolution: Improve plate discipline 

Didi Gregorius just entered the prime of his career, and the Yankees should consider giving him a contract extension. Following a breakout 2016 season, his 2017 performance was even better despite missing the first month of the season. 

Gregorius’ overly-aggressive hitting tendencies help him stay in attack mode at the plate. To improve, he needs to learn to hold off on swinging at pitches outside of the strike zone.

Compared to the 2017 AL MVP Jose Altuve’s O-Swing% of 34.4%, Gregorius’ was 40.8%. And while Altuve’s O-Contact% was 72.5%, Gregorius’ was 69.1%. Altuve improved by staying aggressive while swinging less at bad pitches; I’m confident Gregorius can do the same.

Batting in the heart of the lineup will cause Didi to see a lot of good pitches probably. So there’s no need for him to chase after bad balls because he’ll get plenty of pitches to hit.