Brett Gardner (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

1. Brett Gardner

Gardner is the prototypical leadoff hitter. He has always had great contact skills and the natural ability to get on base, whether it come via a bunt or a walk. Gardy’s strikeout and walk rates were the best they have been since 2011. Brett did see a dip in his power numbers last year with his home runs (7), slugging percentage (.362) and OPS (.713) all down from 2015 (16, .399, .742). Gardner did continue his defensive dominance in 2016 which earned him his first Gold Glove. One thing Gardner should improve on is his base stealing, which he already addressed in Spring Training when he expressed that he will increase his aggressiveness on the base paths this year.

Gary Sanchez (Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports)

2. Gary Sanchez

Yes, the Yankees should break up the Gardner-Ellsbury combination at the top of the order as it hasn’t worked out. The Kraken is by far the Yanks most complete hitter and slotting him in the two hole will provide him more at-bats this year, while breaking up the back-to-back lefties at the top of the order. Any time your best hitter gets an extra at bat in a game it increases your chances of winning. Last year’s Rookie of the Year runner up looks to pick up where he left off, after his unreal 53 game stint of pure dominance last season has left high expectations for this Baby Bomber.

Greg Bird (Butch Dill | USA TODAY Sports)

3. Greg Bird

Bird is back! Yankees rejoice to the site of Greg Bird mashing seven home runs already in Spring Training. He looks like the perfect counterpart to Gary Sanchez that will provide the thump in the middle of the order.

Matt Holliday (AP / Matt Rourke)

4. Matt Holliday

This year’s version of Carlos Beltran will provide veteran leadership and consistent pop to the lineup. He has shown his ability to go the other way with authority again this spring, which will bode well for his new confines in Yankee Stadium. Holliday has had a strong spring thus far, sporting a .308 average and four long balls.

Starlin Castro (Mike Stobe/Getty)

5. Starlin Castro

The powerful second baseman looks to build on a career high in home runs this season (21), but also produce more contact. In his first few years with the Cubs he was more or less a .300 hitter. If he can get his average back up around .280 I think Castro can be an All-Star again. Castro is embarking on his second full season at second base where he looks to get more comfortable after a smooth transition last year.

Chase Headley (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

6. Chase Headley

There is pressure this year for the switch-hitting third baseman to produce with top prospects breathing down his neck. He must be sharp at the hot corner and produce a bit more at the dish this year. At times in his Yankee career Chase has struggled with throwing accuracy and couldn’t buy an extra base hit in the first month of 2016. He has had a nice spring with a pair of bombs and nine RBI, as he looks to carry this production into the regular season.

Jacoby Ellsbury (WENDELL CRUZ/USA TODAY SPORTS)

7. Jacoby Ellsbury

Ellsbury should have less pressure to produce in the seven hole this season. He doesn’t have to begin the season batting ninth because Gregorius’ replacement will most likely be slotted there. The center fielder will try to stay healthy and produce like the player he once was for the rival Red Sox.

Aaron Judge (Nick Wass/Associated Press)

8. Aaron Judge

The main concern with Judge coming into spring was his strikeout rate. I think he is leading Aaron Hicks in the competition for the starting right field spot after improving his contact. He has jaw-dropping power that draws comparisons to the incredible Giancarlo Stanton, but will he be able to put it all together?

Tyler Wade (Photo: Chris O’Meara, AP)

9. Tyler Wade

With Didi Gregorius down with a shoulder strain for about a month, Wade looks to be the front-runner to hold down the fort at short. He is currently ranked the Yankees No.12 prospect according to MLB.com and has had a great spring. He has blazing speed and has shown great contact with the ability to play six positions. He would be skipping Triple-A completely after spending last season in Double-A Trenton, but he would probably head down to Scranton after Gregorius’ return.