Yankees: Luke Voit’s defensive work this offseason is paying off

Luke Voit’s play on both sides of the ball should cement his claim as the everyday first baseman for the New York Yankees. Anything but — would be unacceptable.

Watching the Yankees 6-4 victory over the Giants in an extremely unfamiliar San Francisco was highlighted by Gary Sanchez’s first career grand slam.

The Kraken’s fifth inning, 467 foot home run to left-center field is the second furthest hit ball in the 19 years that Oracle Park (formerly AT&T Park) has existed. Ian Desmond holds the record for a 477-foot moon shot back in 2015.

Naturally, it was a big moment for Sanchez to insert an exclamation point, that he is officially healthy since returning from the 10-day IL, three days prior.

However, for me, it was the sparkling defensive play of first baseman Luke Voit that genuinely stood out.

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By now, we’ve all read about Luke Voit’s offseason plan to better himself around the bag — his dedication to being more than a one-trick pony and inevitably, distancing himself from any chatter about a platoon situation at first base.

Certainly, his offensive stat line thus far has proven 50 percent of the conversation true, highlighted by a just ended 13-game hit streak and on-going 39 consecutive games of getting on-base. Voit now has the longest on-base streak since Mark Teixeira’s 42 in 2010.

Yet for me, it was his three stellar defensive plays that truly stood out on Saturday — perhaps solidifying the Yanks’ road victory.

With the Yankees up 1-0 in the third inning and a man on first, opposing pitcher Derek Holland attempted a sacrifice bunt that Voit used his jungle cat reflexes to pounce on.

Without hesitation, Voit scooped up the soft grounder, turned towards second base and fired a dart to Gleyber Torres who was covering the bag to force out the lead runner, Geraldo Parra.

Composed, instinctual and on the money — Voit looked like he’d made this type of play a thousand times. Former Bomber Tyler Austin would soon come up with a two-out single, therefore proving that Voit’s ever-expanding defensive acumen saved a run.

To end the third inning, with two out and a man on first, Brandon Belt hit a sharp one-bouncer into short right field. Playing the shift, three-time Gold Glove winner DJ LeMahieu made a fantastic back-handed sliding scoop. From his knees, LeMahieu’s throw offered Voit a high-hop that he picked with all the flair and bravado of a legitimate first baseman.

Finally, in the sixth inning, Voit looked like a tight end running an end route. Voit locked on to a pop-up headed for short right field, chugging along until he made the pretty over-the-shoulder catch.

Aside from going 1-for-4 with an RBI — his team-leading 23rd in 27 games, Voit’s defense truly stole the show and left an impression on his manager, Aaron Boone. As told to NJ.com:

"“Seems like (his good plays) came at big times in the game, shut down some momentum. Really, really good defensive effort by him.”"