Key returning Yankees player's electric speed overlooked in Juan Soto walk-off

The New York Yankees won two extra-innings games for the first time in ... history? Under the new, hated Rob Manfred rules? Don't quote us on that, but it certainly feels like it. Jazz Chisholm was the hero on Wednesday against the Royals, and Juan Soto notched his first Yankees walk-off on Thursday against the Red Sox.

The man who scored both game-winning runs? That would be Jon Berti, who recently came off the injured list after being absent for nearly three and a half months with a calf injury. Berti was a key offseason acquisition by Brian Cashman and looked to play the part the Yankees needed in the early going, but like every other Yankees contributor, he was injured for an indefinite period of time.

Now that Berti's back for the stretch run, fans are excited because he provides a type of versatility and athleticism this organization has been lacking for a while.

His abilities were on full display Wednesday and Thursday when manager Aaron Boone called on him to pinch run. On Wednesday, Berti took third base on a Soto groundout, which set the stage for Chisholm to knock him in for the game-winning run with a single.

On Thursday, his speed on Soto's single up the middle was seriously overlooked. Just watch the replay and you'll be shocked to see he's running like this after missing so much time.

Jon Berti was key player in Yankees two walk-off wins this week

So much for Duke Ellis, eh? Though the Yankees' trade deadline is still a point of contention because of their continued lack of pitching, it appears their positional depth is in good hands now that Berti is back and Jasson Dominguez is with the big-league club.

Berti definitely lost playing time because of his injury. The Yankees went out and acquired Chisholm at the trade deadline, which blocks Berti's path. Gleyber Torres' resurgence in the leadoff spot has quieted down angry fans calling for him getting diminished playing time. As for anybody unhappy about Anthony Volpe's contributions? Get over it. The organization refuses to show anything except votes of confidence for him (and won't even give him a single day off).

Nonetheless, Berti is the postseason weapon off the bench the Yankees have been yearning for since 2018. He can play multiple infield positions at a high level. He can hit for contact. He can be used as a pinch runner and/or defensive replacement late in games.

Though we've only seen him in these two instances since he was activated off the injured list, that's all Yankees fans need to feel comfortable heading into October.