Is Luke Voit the Real Deal?

A trade made on July 29 involving relief pitcher Chasen Shreve changed the trajectory of the New York Yankees’ season. It was also perhaps the start of an All-Star career. In a move that did not draw many headlines, General Manager Brian Cashman and the Yankees acquired it’s now postseason starting first basement Luke Voit from the St. Louis Cardinals.

At first the move seemed quite confusing, just exactly who was Luke Voit? It seemed like a depth move on the side of the Yankees. Greg Bird has had a tumultuous season at the plate, while Neil Walker is better suited to play second and third base.

At the time of the trade the 27 year old Voit had appeared in only eight games for the Red Birds, hitting .182 with one homer and three runs batted in.

Voit has been vying for an opportunity to get to show off his skill set. The Bombers provided him that chance. Since August 24th, the slugger has smashed 14 home runs. This comes while hitting .351 and driving in 31 RBI is just 32 games.

Voit played a major role in helping keep the Yanks afloat as the Bombers tried to manage its onslaught of injuries. With Aaron Judge and Didi Gregorious on the disabled list, and Giancarlo Stanton struggling, the Yankees desperately needed a spark in the middle of the lineup.

Voit’s monster numbers helped him steal the starting first basement duties from the incumbent Bird. Bird has preformed far below expectations this season, and is considered by many as more of a liability than an asset. If Voit’s production continues, the new starting first basemen  does not seem to be losing that spot anytime soon.

His late season heroics have likened the St. Louis native Voit to former Yankee Shane Spencer. Spencer will forever be immortalized by Yankee fans for his September performance in 1998 as just a rookie. Spencer helped lead the club to its second of four World Series in five seasons.

Voit seemingly has come out of no where to play at a high caliber level. This is mostly why he is being compared to Spencer. Spencer is remembered solely for his performance late in the 1998 season. What he is not remembered for are his six years in the Big Leagues after his historic run. Spencer went on to play with the Mets, Rangers and Indians and was never able to reclaim his 98′ late season magic.

Yankee fans hope that Voit can not only help the Bombers capture a long awaited 28th championship, but be a franchise cornerstone for years to come. In other words, not another Shane Spencer.

The latest American League Player of the week always believed that given the opportunity, he’d be able to produce the way he is.

“This is the first time I got an opportunity,” Voit said, “I’m just trying to do anything I can to help this team win. Things are finally clicking.”

Voit is confident he can maintain his success in the long run. Voit’s confidence is backed by popular opinion by many scouts around the game. One unnamed scout believes the 6’3, 225 pound righty is the “real deal.”

Heading into a one game playoff against a formidable opponent in the Oakland Athletics, the Yanks will look to Voit to solidify the heart of the order. Lets see if Voit can continue his stellar streak and propel the Yankees further into October.