Yankees: Luke Voit has undeniably been the team MVP thus far
![OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 04: Luke Voit #45 of the New York Yankees reacts celebrating as he trots around the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the eighth inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 4, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fyanksgoyard-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2016-2F04-2F1026850534-850x560-873d07f9e68963236ec6e859c5e2f2d0.jpg)
It hasn’t even been a month since Luke Voit was battling Greg Bird for the starting first basemen job and here he is at the end of April, leading the club in key statistical categories and being the driving force to the Yankees success.
In his 39 games with the Yankees in 2018, first basemen Luke Voit accumulated 44 hits, 28 runs, 14 home runs, 33 RBI’s and hit at a clip of .333, unheard of numbers for such a short period of time.
The 28-year-old has picked up right where he left off after joining the team in 2018, leading the club in at-bats (106), runs (22), RBI’s (26), home runs (9) Gary Sanchez and he’s tied with DJ LeMahieu (31) for the team lead in hits. In the midst of all this, Voit has also successfully reached base in an MLB-high 41 consecutive games.
Apart from leading his team in a variety of categories, Voit’s numbers hold true to the entire American League, where he just earned the AL Player of the Week award. His 25 RBI’s are just second to Mariners’ outfielder Domingo Santana (30) and also ranks among the top-10 in the A.L with his 21 runs and eight home runs. While he has certainly been the Yankees’ most valuable player up to this point, he may be one of the entire league’s.
Aaron Boone on Luke Voit, the Yankees' on-base hero:
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) May 1, 2019
"When he walks up there, pitchers you better be at your best, or you’re going to be in some trouble. You better make pitches against him, because he controls the zone. If you make a mistake to him, he’s going to hurt you."
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In his three-year career, Voit has never been known as a stellar fielder and this was the primary reason that it was even somewhat of a competition for the first baseman role between him and Greg Bird. However, the slugger has done a solid job so far at his position, converting tough plays, saving errors and more importantly, runs.
His defense has definitely improved but his biggest contributions have come with a bat and his hands. He’s been a total stud and is on the path to making his first All-Star team this July.
That would be quite the accomplishment considering his career path up to this point. Voit has certainly done his job quieting critics and looks to have cemented himself as the Yankees everyday first basemen of the future.
Next. Yankees 17-11 record is amazing considering the circumstances. dark
Even as they sit at an impressive 17-13 record on May 1st, they continue to battle an extensive list of injuries. Luckily for the Yanks, Voit has been one of the few players on the roster that has been able to stay off the injured list. I just knocked on wood and if you’re a Yankee fan, it might be in your best interest to knock as well.