Behind The Numbers: The Yankees Dream Team of Backups
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The AL East has always been a competitive division, but the start of the 2019 campaign has been unlike any other. The Tampa Bay Rays have blazed a hot start, while the Boston Red Sox have lost 17 of their first 30 games. As for the New York Yankees, their season has been riddled with injuries. Here are where the numbers stand:
13
To date, the New York Yankees currently hold 13 players on the IL. Leading up to this point, the team has gone from an American League favorite to a presumed laughing stock. However, the Yankees have turned the tables for themselves. Here is an updated timetable for each select player currently placed on the IL:
- 3B Miguel Andujar, shoulder (May, pending setbacks)
- P Dellin Betances, shoulder (June)
- 1B Greg Bird, foot (May-June)
- OF Jacoby Ellsbury, hip (Unknown)
- OF Clint Frazier, ankle (May)
- SS Didi Gregorius, elbow (June-August)
- P Ben Heller, elbow (June)
- OF Aaron Hicks, back (May)
- OF Aaron Judge, ribs (Unknown)
- P Jordan Montgomery, elbow (July)
- P Luis Severino, shoulder (July)
- OF Giancarlo Stanton, bicep (May)
- SS Troy Tulowitzki, calf (May)
28
Within the April 28th game against the San Francisco Giants, the New York Yankees went on to win 11-5. Looking into the average age of all the players that made an appearance for the Yankees, that number totaled 28-years old.
The outliers to this bunch included J.A. Happ (36) and Brett Gardner (35). Overall, this is a younger group of players that have won 11 of their last 14 games.
40
Most Yankees fans recognize this number, as 40 represents the longest active on-base streak in the MLB via 1B Luke Voit. This season alone, Voit has led the offense with 25 RBI and total bases with 57. In addition, he trails only 2B DJ LeMahieu (.310) in batting average with a posting of .275.
The 28-year old has emerged into a key piece for New York, and has only been part of the roster since July of 2018. Looking back at the trade the Yankees executed for Voit, they gave up Chasen Shreve (Outrighted to Triple-A) and Giovanny Gallegos (1-0, 4.91 ERA) to the St. Louis Cardinals.
156
Through the month of April, the New York Yankees have secured 156 runs; sixth in the MLB. Their backups have created an offensive storm, ranking top 10 in hits, HR, RBI, AVG, OBP, SLG, and OPS as well. Among the individual statistics, 1B Luke Voit and C Gary Sanchez lead the team with a combined 43 RBI.
277
To date, the New York Yankees are tied with the Cleveland Indians and Arizona Diamondbacks for the seventh-most strikeouts with 277. Alone, James Paxton contains 51 of those K’s; the fifth-most in the MLB.
In addition, how impressive has Domingo German been as of late? Last season, this was a pitcher totaling a 2-6 record with a 5.57 ERA. This year, German is currently 5-1 with a 3.14 ERA.
Overall, the New York Yankees have been one of the most impressive teams to start the year. Still trailing in the AL East, there is work left to be done. However, the least likely candidates have stepped up to keep the team afloat until superstars such as Aaron Judge and Luis Severino return.
Featured Image: Mike Stobe, Getty Images
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