Yankees: Slumping Brett Gardner is still a team asset

Yankees veteran Brett Gardner isn’t just a great leadoff hitter; he’s an excellent outfielder and a clubhouse leader. Whether slumping or red hot, he consistently contributes.

The Yankees longest-tenured player has earned a respectable .263 career average since debuting in the Majors in 2008 and offers much more than just offensive power to today’s team. He’s a fighter at the plate and a multi-faceted player whose clubhouse presence makes him a team favorite.

Perhaps the most disciplined hitter on the team, Gardner has a great eye for reading pitches. He works the count and the length of his at-bats attests to his patients. Last season, he had a 12-pitch at-bat that played a huge role in the ALDS.

In 2017, he joined the 20-20 club with 21 home runs and 23 stolen bases. This season, he’s already accumulated 17 walks. He’s a clutch hitter and a fast, alert baserunner. It seems Gardner is always on base, representing 23 of the Yankees’ runs this season. He scored a pinch-hit sac-fly on 4/27 to tie a game that resulted in a win against the Angels.

Aside from his qualities as a player, Gardner’s off-the-field actions highlight his philanthropic mentality. He’s received a number of awards, including the “Heart and Hustle Award” and was the Yankees nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2017. Teammates admire his personality. Tyler Wade spoke to the New York Post in Spring Training about Gardy’s leadership role:

"“I have always looked up to Gardy, from Day 1 he has taken me under his wing.”"

In 2018, Gardner has shifted between left and center field, but wherever he plays his defense is always a plus part of his game. His throwing arm is also above average and very accurate. The outfielder won both the Gold Glove Award and the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for left field in 2016. He recorded 0 fielding errors in 2017.

Gardner offers something a bit different from his power hitting teammates.  He may not be a home run hitter or hold the highest average on the team, but even when he’s not playing his best game, he’s a trustworthy player in the lineup and on the field.  

Next: Where does Brandon Drury fit in when he returns?

Gardner’s contract runs through the end of this season and his career afterward with the Yankees is unknown. He might be struggling right now but before it’s all said and done we can expect Gardner to continue to have an impact on all facets of the game and play a big role in the Yankees chase for #28.