New York Yankees: Miguel Andujar is the key to success in 2020

As the Yankees injury list continues to lengthen, a bounceback season from young star Miguel Andujar may be just what the doctor ordered for New York to have as successful a season as everyone envisioned.

Miguel Andujar burst onto the scene in 2018 and was one of the key reasons why the Yankees won 100 games and made it to the postseason. After breaking Joe Dimaggio’s franchise record for doubles by a rookie with 47, many were ripe with anticipation to see what Andujar had in store for 2019. Unfortunately, after just 12 games, Andujar was placed on the shelf for the season due to a right labrum tear.

Now the third baseman turned utility man is back in action and looks healthy so far this spring. Adding Andujar’s bat to the lineup was supposed to be another weapon that the Yankees could boast in their vast arsenal, yet now his addition seems to be more of a necessity than a luxury.

With Gio Urshela now occupying third for the Bombers, Andujar has been tasked with playing numerous positions, seeing starts at third base, first base, and left field this spring. His ability to adjust to these different positions while staying productive in the lineup will be vital to New York’s chances of making the World Series run they thought they were destined for.

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Now that the Yankees have watched the heart of their order thin out yet again, with Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge joining Aaron Hicks on the injured list they need Anduajr to pick up where he left off in 2018. It still remains a mystery when all three outfielders will return, which makes Miggy and guys like Mike Tauchman and Clint Frazier that much more valuable to the Yankees starting lineup.

During his rookie campaign, Andujar posted a .297/.328/.597 slash line with 27 home runs and 92 RBI. It’s an extraordinarily difficult task to ask a player who has missed a full season to come in and produce right away, but now that Andujar is healthy he should bounce back just fine. Not only will he have to produce offensively, but he will also have to adapt quickly to his new positions across the diamond.

On Wednesday against the Marlins, Andujar came through with a runner on, driving him in with an RBI double. The at-bat was a preview of what Yankees fans expect to be seeing a lot of starting March 26th, when he’ll return to action against the Orioles at Camden Yards.