Yankees: Is Miguel Andujar’s hot start negating Manny Machado?

With Miguel Andujar tearing it up through his first 20 games of the 2018 campaign, does a full season of the 23-year-old phenom negate Manny Machado to the Yankees?

Through injury comes opportunity, and that’s exactly the case with the Yankees No. 4 prospect, Miguel Andujar, who has proven why general manager Brian Cashman opted not to trade him for a starting pitcher this past winter. 

Since Brandon Drury landed on the 10-day DL in early April with intense migraines, Andujar has hit a whopping 12 doubles in 17 games, while improving his slash line to a .312/.325/.610.

“Miggy continues to earn the opportunity,’’ manager Aaron Boone recently said of the red-hot Andujar. “It’s hard to deny what he has done.’’

Now, it’s more than assumable that the Dominican-native won’t keep up his 137 OPS+ through a full big-league season, but let’s take a look at how his end-of-April numbers translate over a full 162.

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• 20 Games / 162 Games
• BA: .300 / .322  
• OBP: .313 / .341
• SLG: .588 / .609
• 2B: 12 / 102
• 3B: 1 / 8
• HR: 3 / 19
• RBI: 12 / 104
• SO: 16 / 104

A pace of 102 doubles isn’t going to be maintained, of course. However, it does show what kind of tear Andujar is on. If Andy can post numbers even close to what he’s accomplishing now, then the Yankees may very well save themselves north of $400 million.

For those wondering how the impending return of Drury will affect the rookie; through an interpreter, Andujar told NorthJersey.com he is solely focused on doing his job.

"“To me, it’s about doing my job, preparing myself, learning from my coaches and my teammates and making the best of the opportunity,’’ Andujar said."

Not to mention that Andujar is beginning to look serviceable at third base, which was always the fork in the road regarding his MLB readiness.

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So if you have a 23-year-old slugger at the hot corner that clearly possesses a potent bat while holding down the fort, defensively, why throw a $30 million AAV to Manny Machado over the span of 12+ seasons?

Especially when you consider the five extra years of control the Yankees hold over Andujar, it doesn’t even seem like a question worth asking.