New York Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar will get his chance to prove his worth. Even if it comes at a different position.
The New York Yankees are just weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. However, one of the players to watch closely will be Miguel Andujar. With so many positions locked up, the Yankees will be testing Andujar out at positions other than third base.
While the hot corner is Andujar’s most natural position, the Bronx Bombers will use this opportunity to see if he can work elsewhere. Andujar will get reps at first base and in the outfield in addition to his regular work at third base. General manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone are hoping Andujar can show something during the month-long preseason.
“[Boone] opened up the conversation about versatility, getting a chance to get a first-base glove on and then an outfielder’s glove on, too — just in the event that he doesn’t push through at third base,” Cashman told YES Network last week. “He has [Minor League] options, he can go to Triple-A, but is there a role on the Major League club in a different capacity?”
Yankees of Past and Present Pay Tribute To The Late Kobe Bryant
This is a vital year for Andujar. Not only does he have to prove his 2018 season wasn’t a flash in the pan, but he also has to re-establish himself at his own position. The Yankees got pleasant but unexpected production from Gio Urshela on both sides of the ball in 2019. He filled in admirably for Andujar, who missed all but 12 games due to injury. Now, it seems the third base job is Urhsela’s to lose.
While Urshela has to prove his 2019 wasn’t a fluke, Andujar faces a much bigger task. Because he has options, the Yankees can send him down to get more work if he doesn’t make a big enough impact during Spring Training. It may seem crazy to send him down—he was the Rookie of the Year runner up in 2018. But the Yankees are stacked with position players this season.
Because of that, Andujar has to prove himself all over again.
“That bat is special, his makeup is off the charts and obviously he’s hungry to reprove himself,” Cashman said. He’s going have to do that, because he’s coming back from a [right] shoulder injury, so we’re going to take the opportunity to see some versatility, see his health and allow it to play out.”
It is a big year for Andujar in 2020. He has to prove himself all over again because of a season-long injury. The Dominican Republic native will get his chance, even at some different spots. Can he take advantage of it this spring? We’ll just have to wait and see.