Yankees: Miguel Andujar has been an unsung hero all season

The Yankees have gotten contributions all across the roster on their way to a 37-17 start, but it’s the rookie Miguel Andujar who has been an unsung hero all season.

It’s easy to fly under the radar on this Yankees team with all the star power they possess and that’s exactly what Andujar has done since he was called up back on April 1st. Since his arrival, the 23-year old has not only remained with the club but he has taken control of the starting job at third base.

Andujar lost the job out of spring training to offseason acquisition Brandon Drury despite having a very strong preseason. However, after Drury went on the DL during the second week of the season with migraine problems Andujar finally got his first taste of consistent playing time in the big leagues.

The book on Andujar was always that he could hit at the highest level, but the reason he was sent down out of camp was to give him more time to work on his defense at the hot corner. Now after 45 games with the Yanks he’s proved that he is more than capable of playing solid defense at the big league level in addition to being one of the best all-around hitters on the team.

Andujar has been nothing short of outstanding with the bat thus far entering today with a .294 AVG with 6 HR and 21 RBI after hit a home run and knocked in three during Saturday night’s win over the O’s. Even more impressive is his rookie-leading 18 doubles which are first on the team and tied for third most in all of baseball.

If not for teammate Gleyber Torres and the Angel’s Shohei Ohtani there’s no question Andujar would be the early leader for AL Rookie of the Year. Many will say that it’s a two-man race, but Andujar has produced so much that it’s hard to ignore and that should keep him in the race all season long.

Like Torres, Miggy has been a force at the bottom of the Yankees lineup usually hitting eighth in front of Gleyber. They help create the best bottom of the lineup in all of baseball and have made pitching to this entire Yankees offense a nightmare for opposing teams.

All season long we’ve seen nothing but quality at-bats from Andujar and he never looks overmatched. Plate discipline is something he’ll have to work on as his career progresses but even when he chases he still has the ability to put the barrel on the ball because of how long he keeps his bat in the zone on his swing. He also uses the whole field and because of that, he has the chance to be a guy who can hit .300 for years to come.

During the Yankees current stretch of dominance (winning of 11 of their last 12 series) Andujar has picked up big hit after big hit. I’ve said this about Torres as well, but the moment never looks too big for him and when the game is on the line he’s a guy you want at the plate. Even though he’s hitting near the bottom of the lineup I’d rather see Miggy up in a big spot over more than a few of his teammates ahead of him in the order.

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He’s been a joy to watch and Yankee fans can comfortable knowing that he is the answer at third base for hopefully the next decade plus.

It’s unfortunate that because of his prowess we may never see the talented Drury get his shot to play every day, but that speaks to how great Miggy has been. Since his call-up, he’s basically been playing for his job for the last two months and with each passing day, he’s showed that he deserves to stay and be the starting third basemen from here on out.

He’s put to rest any thought of bringing Drury back up even though he’s hitting close to .330 at Triple-A. In a city like New York where the pressure is magnified that’s not an easy thing to do at such a young age.

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In addition to playing like a potential Rookie of the Year, Andujar should also earn consideration for the All-Star Game if he can keep this up. Although he might not be getting the recognition he deserves for his stellar play on a national level, inside that Yankee clubhouse, everyone knows he’s been as big a part of their success as anyone.

He’s quietly been one of their most valuable players and the crazy part is the best is likely yet to come.