Miguel Andujar

There were a lot of positive signs in the Yankees 7-4 Tuesday night win in Texas. DJ LeMahieu and Gary Sanchez had clutch hits; Rougned Odor returned from the injured list and contributed with both his bat and his glove; Mike Ford and Brett Gardner showed signs of life; Aaron Judge and Gio Urshela continued their consistent performance. And the bullpen bailed out Jamison Taillon, who couldn't make it out of the 5th inning.

Maybe the most encouraging  was Miguel Andujar smacking a couple of hits. With Clint Frazier needing two hot weeks to approach the Mendoza line and Aaron Hicks on the shelf, the Yankees need someone to fill an outfield spot. And the 2018 runner up for the Rookie of the Year might -- I said "might" -- be their best hope. Check out his numbers. Listen to the sound when his bat makes contact. That's a sweeter, richer tone, indicative of natural power. Andujar's got that. While he'll never be an acrobat in left field, he appears more suited to that position than 3rd base, where Urshela gives you a nice impression of Nettles and Brosius. 

After two seasons-plus of injuries and bad luck, it might be time for Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone to write Andujar's name on the lineup card for the next 10 days and let this talented hitter settle in and not fear that he's playing for his future every time up.  


(My images are from the May 13th Yankees/Rays game at the Trop.)
 

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