3 Yankees poised to start strong in shortened season

A look at three Yankees set to explode once the 2020 season begins

The 2020 Major League Baseball season will be a new experience for every single player, including those wearing the pinstripes of the New York Yankees. Potentially empty stadiums, a fragmented season and what could be life in quarantine will force players to adjust to their new, and (hopefully temporary) professional situations.

While every player will certainly be itching to get back onto the field, a short “Spring Training” and a different atmosphere at ballparks are certainly valid reasons to impact someone’s performance early on.

For players that typically use February and most of March to get into form, the multi-month layoff and short training period may not be enough for some by the time the season starts. Travel arrangements and other logistical aspects of the season are likely to be impacted too. Potentially rearranging an athlete’s ever-so precious routine.

Frankly, it would be hard to blame players for needing a few games to gather themselves and find their bearings.

At the same time, this historic season could provide a handful of players with an opportunity to put together an amazing stretch. Hitters won’t have to deal with the subpar weather in March and April and may be at an advantage as face a multi-month period without facing Major League batters.

There are players that, for whatever reason start each season off on the right foot. Even the Yankees, who unfortunately play a chunk of cold weather baseball early in the year (Oh how everyone loves those trips to Detroit in April) have a handful of players who are typically unbothered in any situation.

Moreover,  some of New York’s best players have the baseball-first mentality and the statistical resume to show that once the season begins, they are ready to perform.

One Yankees also stands out as having something to prove heading into the 2020 campaign. After dealing with injury after injury, one pinstriped-slugger is poised to regain his MVP form and come out of the gates hot with a fellow power bat likely on the mend.

Here are three Yankees stars who will be ready to roll once the first pitch is thrown.

A look at three Yankees set to explode once the 2020 season begins

RF Giancarlo Stanton

Last season, Giancarlo Stanton was on the verge of breaking out and proving to the ever-demanding Yankees fanbase that he belonged in pinstripes.

After returning from an early-season injury, Stanton played well for a handful of games in June, before a freak incident on the basepaths sent him to the injured list for another three months.

As Yankees fans and Stanton grew frustrated with setback after setback, he played well through the end of September and looked ready to contribute in the postseason. Stanton, who failed to make his mark against the Boston Red Sox in the 2018 Division Series, sought redemption.

It looked like redemption was in his grasp. He worked counts, found himself on-base plenty (.455 OBP in the ALDS) and finally broke through against Zack Greinke in the ALCS with a monstrous home run.

Injuries would yet again hamper his redemption tour.

All reports indicate Stanton will be 100 percent once baseball is back. With Aaron Judge’s availability still in question, the Yankees will need Stanton more than ever as their quest for a 28th World Series begins.

Perhaps short stints during an injury-plagued season won’t create much optimism for some. However, using Stanton’s 2018 season, in which he played 158 games, could help project what fans can expect from Stanton in 2020.

Looking at the first half of 2018, which included a rough April, Stanton still accumulated a .278/.346/.518 line, with 23 homers and 55 RBI in 94 games.

With health on his side, Stanton will be able to duplicate those numbers in a fragmented 2020 season. After barely making an impact last year, Stanton is set for a loud return.

A look at three Yankees set to explode once the 2020 season begins

P Gerrit Cole

Oh, no shocking names on this list?

Well, that proves how strong this Yankees team is on paper. A trio of superstar players have the resumes to show that no matter how the 2020 season will look, the Yankees should still be at the top of their division.

Anyway, let’s talk about the Yankees’ new ace.

Throughout his career, Gerrit Cole managed to get off to strong starts in March and April. Now, the 2020 season will begin with the summer heat instead of cooler conditions but it doesn’t change the fact that pitchers will be facing batters in meaningful action for the first time.

When seasons typically begin, Cole is already at an elite level. Throughout his career, there’s been no such thing as an adjustment period. In 32 careers starts in the first month of the season, has a career 2.85 ERA, a 1.085 WHIP and a 10.4 K/9, the second-highest per month mark.

Much like LeMahieu, Cole has laser focus and a baseball first mentality. His thorough answers to the media throughout spring training show Cole’s appreciation of his craft. Both of their approaches bode well for an unprecedented stretch of baseball.

Of course, the pressure on Cole will be enormous. He just became the highest-paid pitcher in the history of baseball and expectations will be sky-high.

Luckily, Cole has the right mindset for New York.

“Pressure is a privilege,” Cole said at his introductory press conference in December.