Somerset's all-time hits leader will scratch a Yankees trade deadline itch one way or another

One way or another, the New York Yankees would be wise to add a right-handed bat to the corner infield mix. Ryan McMahon has had small spurts of being a productive hitter, but far more often than not, he's been a liability, especially against lefties. Meanwhile, Paul Goldschmidt's turn-back-the-clock performance has come to a screeching halt, much in the same way his resurgence last season dissipated as he hit a midseason wall.

With other prime trade needs that could become very expensive, getting another right-handed bat who can fill in at the infield corners on the cheap would be ideal. The Yankees might already have such a player toiling down in Scranton in Tyler Hardman.

Hardman was New York's fifth-round selection back in the 2021 draft, and the Oklahoma product was supposed to provide an injection of pop via a polished college bat. Instead, he dealt with injuries, including undergoing Tommy John surgery, and battled the strikeout bug.

The former Sooner has had his fair share of success, too, though. He has become the Somerset Patriots' all-time hits leader, an achievement driven by equal parts production and stagnation. In order to get to the 242 hit mark and own the record, Hardman had to play a lot of games in Central Jersey, and as a result, the 27-year-old's prospect status dwindled.

Hardman first arrived in Double-A back in 2022 with a four-game cameo, and it wasn't until earlier this season when he broke through and emerged on the other side in Scranton for his first taste of Triple-A action. What changed for him is simple. He started mashing like he's never mashed before.

In Somerset, Hardman played 42 games this season. During that time, he slashed a scorching .300/.371/.613 with 13 homers over 167 plate appearances. He brought that hot bat with him to Scranton, where in 44 games he's clocked another nine dingers while hitting .276/.369/.506 over 179 plate appearances. Combined, he's tallied a .288/.370/.559 line with 22 round-trippers thus far in 2026.

Tyler Hardman could also be a Yankees trade chip similar to TJ Rumfield

The production certainly indicates that Hardman, who can play both third and first base along with having some limited experience at second, should get a long, hard look at a promotion. If there were any doubt, the underlying metrics back up his stat line, suggesting that he's for real.

He hits the ball hard and often in the air to the pull side, which is a recipe for steady power production. If there is a knock, he whiffs too often and can be prone to the strikeout. Otherwise, the offensive profile is enticing.

And it could entice others as well. Hardman isn't going to be the centerpiece of a trade unless it's for a minor player, but he could have value as a secondary chip in a deal.

You can think of him as having similar value to TJ Rumfield, who was an older and not highly ranked prospect when he was dealt for Angel Chivilli over the winter. Rumfield has since gone on to have a great season for the Rockies, hitting .296/.380/.475 with 12 homers.

If the Yankees were to trade Hardman by himself, the return would be a project-type player like Chivilli, but if he were put in a larger package, he could help tip the scales to bring in an impact player at the trade deadline. Rumfield's breakout should be proof positive to the rest of the league that the Yankees' blocked talent occasionally has real value.

If this stretch without Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton has proven anything, it's that New York needs to upgrade its cache of right-handed firepower, and one way or another, it seems that Somerset's all-time hits leader could help fortify the pop off the bench from the right side.

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