New York Yankees Projections: Loaisiga/Higashioka/Wade

Jonathan Loaisiga, Kyle Higashioka, and Tyler Wade could be the role players that can help propel the Yankees to a 28th World Series championship.

The New York Yankees’ quest for a 28th World Championship could be a reality, and the role players will have a say in whether or not that dream will become a reality. Jonathan Loaisiga, Kyle Higashioka, and Tyler Wade are three players who can help the Yankees be successful in 2020. All three players have proven to be valuable to the Yankees’ success in recent years. To go along with their value to the team, they all have the potential to be more than just role players, but have a significant impact on the team, too.

First, let’s talk about Loaisiga. The Yankees have a battle for the last spot in the rotation, and Loaisiga could be the winner of that job. He has proven that he is capable of being the fifth starter in the rotation because he has started a handful of games for the Yankees in the last few years. Between 2018 and 2019, Loaisiga started a total of eight games, and he has a record of 4-2 in those games. The 23-year-old Yankee also has a career ERA of 4.79 in 56 innings of work, as well as 70 career strikeouts. If the Yankees decide to go with Loaisiga, then they will have made the right choice, but he still has a lot to work on. He is young and inexperienced, but if the Yankees have faith in him, then he must be doing something right.

The Yankees must like Kyle Higashioka and think he is deserving to be the backup to Gary Sanchez, because they opted not to re-sign former Yankee Austin Romine. That meant Higashioka would play behind Sanchez. He has given the Yankees reason to admire his skills because, during the short time he has been on the Major League roster, he has played very decently. In 56 career games, he has a.164 batting average, 24 hits, six home runs and 17 RBI. His offensive numbers aren’t the greatest, but his defense is why the Yankees were comfortable keeping Higashioka over Romine. He has played 53 games behind the plate for the Yankees, and he has a career fielding percentage of .998 and has committed just one error. If Sanchez happens to go down again with yet another injury, the Yankees have a capable back up in Higashioka.

Tyler Wade will most likely find a roster spot because he can do it all. He can play in the outfield, at second base, and at shortstop. Not only can he play those positions, but he is also one of the fastest players on the team. The Yankees can use his speed in a pinch-running situation, and he can bunt for hits and moving runners over late in the game to help score more runs. He adds depth, and serves as another one of those players who is average, but can contribute whenever the club needs him to.

That wraps up my roster projections for 2020. As of this writing, there is no exact word yet on when/if the season will begin. The Yankees have one of the most talented rosters in baseball, and it would be a shame if they couldn’t get on the field to prove their talent. Let’s hope a deal gets done within the next few weeks.