Pregame notes: Yankees' shortstop depth forcing flexibiliity
Still just 21 years old, entering his third full season of pro ball, Tyler Wade has a locker right in the middle of the Yankees' big league spring training clubhouse, and today he's starting at shortstop in a big league exhibition game. He's hitting .375 this spring and is widely considered one of the top prospects in the system, a true shortstop who scouts believe can stick at the position.
Yet in Class-A Tampa last year, the Yankees had Wade play 24 games at second base. In the past, true shortstop prospects have only moved off the position when it's become clear they can't really handle it, but the Yankees are often pushing their shortstops to second base for two reason: 1. The Yankees seem committed to creating defensive flexibility. 2. The Yankees have an overwhelming abundance of minor league shortstop depth, and there simply isn't enough shortstop playing time to go around.
“We had a situation last year where we had (Abiatal) Avelino and Tyler playing together," vice president of player development Gary Denbo said. "Tyler Wade is a shortstop, and he can play shortstop. We believe he can play shortstop at the Major League level. The only reason he moved around was to give another player an opportunity to play the position who we think also has a pretty good chance to help us at that position. We have the same problem in Charleston again this year."
The Yankees have first-round pick Kyle Holder and international standout Hoy Jun Park in minor league camp competing for the starting shortstop job in Charleston this season. Although each one is considered a legitimate shortstop capable of sticking at the position, Denbo said it's entirely possible they could each open in Charleston in a situation similar to Wade and Avelino last year, basically splitting time at shortstop while also getting time at second (possibly third base as well, but that's just my own assumption).
"We hope that both of them make us make a really tough decision here at the end of spring training," Denbo said. "But those guys have been on the field taking ground balls together. They’re competing, and competition is a really good thing. We’re hoping that in the end we’re going to have to make a decision, and it could end up that maybe they’re both there."
Asked whether 17-year-old Wilkerman Garcia is simply too young to be in that Charleston mix -- he played in the GCL last year while the other two were in Pulaski and Staten Island -- Denbo wouldn't commit one way or another.
“He’s very talented," Denbo said with a smile. "Very polished defender and does things with really easy actions. He is young. We’re going to see how it all plays out. It’s hard to predict where everybody is going to end up right now."
Today, the Yankees have Avelino in big league camp to play some shortstop off the bench. The organization also has Thairo Estrada, Angel Aguilar and of course Jorge Mateo among their full-season infielders who carry some level of prospect status at shortstop. There's also former first-round pick Cito Culver, who was only last year moved off shortstop and into more of a utility role. Of that group, Mateo seems to be the only one who's an absolute priority at the shortstop position. The rest have moved around, which creates opportunity down the road and gives a sense of the current positional depth in the organization.
“I’m always the type that likes to be competitive," Wade said. "I always like when someone is forcing me (to get better). That’s makes you a better player, and makes the other person (better) as well. It just kind of pushes you a little bit more. ... We all came up together. We’re all around the same age. I want Mateo to be the best (he can be). I want Avelino to be the best (he can be). It’s just, we have to compete with each other. That’s the way it should be.”
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- In today's home game, Aroldis Chapman will make his much anticipated spring training debut. He's scheduled for one inning, and he'll be pitching in the same game with Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances. Will be interesting to see the reaction to his entrance.
- Also, Nathan Eovaldi is getting in his first spring game. His debut was delayed by a mild groin injury, but he seems to be just fine. He'll be scheduled for two innings. He's the last of the Yankees' starters to finally get in a game.
- Scheduled for year another day of batting practice on the field, Brett Gardner said he expects to face live pitching in the next few days before he finally gets in a game next week. The Yankees have obviously moved very slowly bringing Gardner back from that bone bruise, but he's said all along that everything has been positive since he's been down here.
- Today is the spring debut of Pete Kozma, who is playing third base and hitting leadoff in the home game. Seems at least a little bit significant that he's getting time at third base right away. Joe Girardi has said he specifically wants to use that open bench spot for someone who can play third base. Kozma is a defense-first shortstop, but he has experience at third. With Donovan Solano out with a back injury, Kozma could be a top alternative for that open bench job.
- Speaking of that bench job, the favorite seems to be Rob Refsnyder who's getting another start at third base in today's road game. Refsnyder played the past two games on the road, and now he's playing again today. Yankees are giving him legitimate time to prove himself.
- With the Yankees split today, pitching coach Larry Rothschild is staying behind to watch the home game -- with Chapman and Eovaldi -- while Joe Girardi is going on the road to manage in Sarasota.
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TODAY'S HOME GAME
Starting lineup: Pete Kozma 3B, Carlos Beltran RF, Alex Rodriguez DH, Mark Teixeira 1B, Brian McCann C, Chris Denorfia LF, Jonathan Diaz 2B, Tyler Wade SS, Dustin Fowler CF -- RHP Nathan Eovaldi
Off the bench: C Santiago Nessy, 1B Sebastian Valle, 2B Jose Rosario, SS Abiatal Avelino, 3B Deibinson Romero, LF Cesar Puello, CF Ben Gamel, RF Lane Adams, DH Aaron Judge
In the bullpen: Andrew Miller, Dellin Betances, Aroldis Chapman, Diego Moreno, Tyler Cloyd, Vinnie Pestano
Extra players from minor league camp: INF Dan Fiorito, OF Michael O'Neill
Blue Jays lineup: Kevin Pillar CF, Josh Donaldson 3B, Jose Bautista DH, Troy Tulowitzki, Michael Saunders LF, Justin Smoak 1B, Russell Martin C, Darrell Ceciliani RF, Ryan Goins 2B -- RHP Drew Hutchison
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TODAY'S ROAD GAME
Starting lineup: Jacoby Ellsbury CF, Rob Refsnyder 3B, Starlin Castro SS, Aaron Hicks RF, Carlos Corporan C, Chris Parmelee 1B, Slade Heathcott LF, Ronald Torreyes 2B, Kyle Higashioka DH -- RHP Bryan Mitchell
Off the bench: C Austin Romine, 1B Chris Gittens, 2B Cito Culver, SS Jorge Mateo, 3B Miguel Andujar, LF Tyler Austin, CF Mark Payton, RF Juan Silva, DH Eddy Rodriguez
In the bullpen: Kyle Haynes, James Pazos, Brady Lail, Richard Bleier, Anthony Swarzak
Extra players from minor league camp: INF Vicente Conde, LHP Matt Tracy, RHP Conor Mullee
Orioles lineup: Manny Machado 3B, Adam Jones CF, Chris Davis 1B, Mark Trumbo RF, Matt Wieters C, Hyun Soo Kim DH, J.J. Hardy SS, Jonathan Schoop 2B, L.J. Hoes LF -- RHP Tyler Wilson
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Bullpen side sessions
In Tampa
CC Sabathia (to Gary Sanchez)
Michael Pineda (to Sebastian Valle)
Luis Severino (to Kyle Higashioka)
Luis Cessa (to Roman Rodriguez)