Yankees Hot Corner – Who’s next?

The New York Yankees have been a boom or bust team all season.  After sweeping the Orioles they started this week losing two out of three to an inferior Chicago White Sox team.  This team has had so many ups and downs during the season, none more than during this stretch.  They were 2 for 19 with RISP during the White Sox series and have been terrible at bringing runners in without hitting the home run.

The headline of “Who’s next?” isn’t about Goldberg winning the WCW Heavyweight Championship, it’s about who will step up in the absence of Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius, and the now slumping Giancarlo Stanton.  Stanton has pretty much carried the team on his back for the past month so he’s allowed to slump now and again.  Here are three candidates that can carry the load;

Miguel Andujar

You know how much we at Double G Sports love Miguel Andujar.  He is fantastic and as good a hitter as I’ve seen this young.  He reminds many people of a young Alfonso Soriano.  Anyway, Andujar has been the most consistent hitter in the Yankees’ lineup all season.  He hasn’t had a massive slump like Gleyber Torres, nor has he ever really been scorching hot (minus Spring Training).

Andujar is the kind of guy you can plug into the middle of a lineup and he’d pass that test with flying colors.  He is most definitely a free swinger, but doesn’t strike out nearly as much as he should.  His sweet stroke is exactly what the Yankees need during this time, and his doubles are always welcomed.

Luke Voit

Luke Voit hit a home run in Thursday’s game against the Detroit Tigers and he is poised for more opportunities as Greg Bird flounders once again.  Voit has been the belle of the ball the past few weeks and has been a breath of fresh air at the first base position.  Voit really wouldn’t be as loved as he is if Greg Bird hadn’t pretty much given away his position to him.

Voit could be the spark plug (a la Shane Spencer) that the Yankees need to get through these dog days of summer.  They have serious struggles getting runners home so if Voit picks up the bottom of the lineup it would be ideal.

Clint Frazier

As per Marc Carig of The Athletic, Clint Frazier went 1-3 in a rehab start after being out for weeks with concussion like symptoms.  Frazier is an excellent player but has struggled to stay on the field due to this mysterious condition.  It’s a welcome sight to see him back in the fold.

The Yankees need him more than ever because Giancarlo Stanton is running on fumes and a bad hamstring.  Aaron Judge still hasn’t swung a bat, Brett Gardner is slumping right now.  The only production you’re getting out of the outfield is Aaron Hicks.  Shane Robinson is pretty much useless and most wonder how he’s even on the team at this point.

If Frazier can get healthy in time for the playoffs, he can be an X-factor for the Bronx Bombers.  He plays an excellent outfield, provides solid depth at the bottom of the lineup, and has some pop in his swing.  His speed is uncanny and having him run the base paths could turn a man on third into another run.

The Yankees have been slipping lately and cannot afford any more losses to the team.  Having one of these three guys step up and get hot is exactly what the Bombers need.  Without that, New York will be floundering into the playoffs and will have to rely on inconsistent pitching to get any further.