Yankees: This is the Giancarlo Stanton we all expected

Giancarlo Stanton got off to a shaky start in his first season in pinstripes, but he’s really picked up his production over the past month. It may have taken longer than we all expected but the Yankees are finally seeing the Stanton they hoped for when they acquired him.

After posting subpar numbers for his standards and hearing plenty of boos over the first two months Stanton is playing like the MVP he was a season ago this June. He’s hitting .319 this month with 8 home runs and 17 RBI. Over his last 28 at-bats, he’s hitting .429. He’s raised his average on the season all the way up to .268 after it was down to .240 at the start of the month. Stanton is scorching hot right now and it couldn’t have come at a better time for him and this Yankees team.

With Gary Sanchez now out with a groin injury for the next three to four weeks, the Yankees need Stanton to carry more of the load in the middle of the order. Especially with the Red Sox set to come to town this weekend for a massive three-game set with serious playoff implications. These are the kind of games the Yankees brought in Stanton for and the Red Sox will go with three left-handers to start each game.

Stanton has pummeled lefties all season, but lately, he’s found success against righties as well after looking lost at times against them earlier in the season. That’s when you know he’s in a groove and on the verge of really breaking out. His walk-off blast a week ago came against a right-hander and also marked his first signature moment in Yankee pinstripes. It was a moment he needed badly and one that has really helped spark his turnaround.

Stanton right on pace for another MVP caliber season

Despite his early struggles, it’s crazy to see how Stanton’s current numbers lineup to the numbers he had at this point a season ago.

They’re pretty even and that’s after an abysmal April where he hit .218 with only three home runs. It’s no surprise to see Stanton heat up as the season has progressed just like it was no surprise to see a player of his caliber struggle a little during his first season in New York. We’ve seen that happen to superstar players for years when they first come to the Yankees which is why we shouldn’t worry about their slow starts.

More from Yankees News

• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• Michael Kay’s Anthony Volpe story will get Yankees fans amped for Opening Day
• No, Yankees should not acquire Trevor Bauer for 2023
• Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step

Now that he’s more comfortable and has adjusted to playing on the bigger stage he’s only going to get better from here on out. The power numbers will continue to rise and it wouldn’t shock me at all if he ended up posting another 50 home run season.

Right now he’s on pace for 40 HR and 97 RBI which is very solid. However, as long as he stays healthy and keeps on his current track he should be able to cruise past both of those totals.

Stanton might not end up duplicating the numbers he posted a season ago, but there’s no doubt that his best has yet to come. The same can be said for many of his teammates and this is for a team that is currently 52-25. It’s an offense that has arguably been the best in baseball and yet their lineup still hasn’t clicked on all cylinders. That’s a scary thought, but it’s the truth.

Next: Why the Yankees should call up Brandon Drury for the Red Sox series

With Stanton leading the way this Yankees offense has a chance to be among the best we have ever seen. However, I’m sure he and his teammates could care less about where they rank when it comes to the history of the game. He’s just happy to finally be playing for a winner and right now the Yankees couldn’t be happier to have him aboard.