Just to finish the day with something different…
The Yankees’ Grapefruit League opener, and Joe Girardi said this afternoon he’d already put together lineups for the first five spring training games.
Problem was, he couldn’t remember which names were on the lineup card for tomorrow.
We already know Luis Severino will be the starting pitcher, but Girardi hasn’t committed to which position players will be on the field. He’s only said that not all of the big league regulars will play.
If it’s not going to be all of the big leaguers together, then why not go with the most buzzworthy, interesting lineup the Yankees could possibly put together?
Based strictly on excitement and anticipation — based strictly on guys worth watching in a this exhibition setting — this is my attempt to put together the most interesting group of position players for Wednesday’s spring opener. This is not the team that should break camp, just a team that would have something interesting — something worth watching — at every position.
And by the way, in no way do I expect these to be the actual starting position players tomorrow. It’s just a collection of guys worth watching at each spot.
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Catcher – Gary Sanchez
Austin Romine is a stand-up guy who has been, perhaps, dismissed a little too much when it comes to this backup catcher competition. But still, there’s no catcher in camp who generates excitement and possibility quite like Sanchez. Coming off a big year that seemed to convince the Yankees he’s ready for the big leagues, Sanchez seems to have a real chance to make the big league team. Let him start trying to win that job from Day 1.
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First baseman – Mark Teixeira
There’s some temptation to put Dustin Ackley here just because he’s relatively new and could play a key role as Teixeira’s backup, but this is the final year of Teixeira’s contract and he’s a legitimately fascinating piece of the puzzle. After last year’s injury, there’s some intrigue about whether he can stay healthy and repeat his resurgent 2015 numbers. With Greg Bird on the shelf, the first bases position is really in Teixeira’s hands.
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Second baseman – Starlin Castro
Let’s not overthink this one. Have to go with the new guy who’s playing a relatively new position. The Yankees gave up a pitcher of significant value in Adam Warren, which tells you what they think of Castro’s potential. If this guy can be a good/solid defender and hit like an all-star again, the Yankees could have their second baseman for the foreseeable future. Might as well meet the new guy in the first game.
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Shortstop – Jorge Mateo
Was going to say Didi Gregorius because it’s worth seeing him alongside Castro up the middle. Those two could form a middle infield combination that lasts into the foreseeable future, and that’s a pretty exciting thing to roll out in the spring opener. But, really, for one game that doesn’t mean anything, the most buzzworthy shortstop would be the kid who led all of the minors in stolen bases last season. Mateo’s future is bright. Get that future started right away.
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Third base – Rob Refsnyder
It will never happen because Refsnyder’s only had a few days of defensive drills at third base, but if you want to put together the most interesting lineup possible, it definitely includes Refsnyder at third. If he can play the hot corner, Refsnyder could suddenly have a real role on the big league bench. He could still get some time at second, and perhaps provide a third base alternative should Chase Headley stumble again. It’s not often that the final bench spot is interesting. This year is an exception.
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Left field – Ben Gamel
Put this kid on the radar. Yankees fans know all about Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams — and Dustin Fowler’s day will come — but Gamel deserves some attention after arguably the best season in all of the Yankees’ minor league system last year. With Brett Gardner dealing with a bone bruise, someone else will have to play left in these early spring games, and Gamel’s earned a bit of attention. A spring opener isn’t nearly the same as big league Opening Day, but it would be a nice bit of recognition for last year’s success.
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Center field – Aaron Hicks
There’s a lot to be said for the all-out way Heathcott plays the game, and obviously there’s a lot to be said for a young kid like Fowler who’s coming off a breakout season, but there’s also plenty of reason to keep an eye on Hicks as a new guy who could see quite a bit of playing time this season. Jacoby Ellsbury will get plenty of at-bats this spring. Might as well give Yankees fans an immediate look at a former first-round pick who just might still have some upside.
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Right field – Aaron Judge
Obviously. This has to be the easiest call of the bunch. If you want excitement for the spring opener, put the massive right fielder in the lineup. Heck, bat him third, right in front of Teixeira. That would get some attention. Barring an injury, it’s hard to imagine Judge can make the big league roster out of spring training, but he will still generate about as much attention as anyone in Yankees camp. Put him out there from the very beginning. Why not?
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Designated hitter – Alex Rodriguez
We already know this one won’t happen — A-Rod isn’t playing until Thursday — but he’s still about as fascinating as anyone in camp. If you’re looking for the spring training lineup that would stir the most interest, it has to include Rodriguez. No player in Yankees camp has heard louder cheers this spring, and it’s not even close. It’s a totally different environment when he walks out of the dugout and onto the field for batting practice. He just might be the most popular player on the big league roster. Amazing, but true.
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Starting pitcher – Luis Severino
I would argue the Yankees actually are using their most interesting starting pitcher. Maybe CC Sabathia has more intrigue, Ivan Nova has more to prove, and James Kaprielian is the hot-shot new prospect, but Severino is a young kid who should be a key piece — perhaps even a vital piece — of this uncertain rotation. Of the realistic candidates to start a game (which rules out Aroldis Chapman), who would you rather watch start a spring opener?
Associated Press photos
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