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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players under 25

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a fly ball to left field for an out in the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays played on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a fly ball to left field for an out in the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays played on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MAY 12: Miguel Andujar #41 of the New York Yankees in action against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on May 12, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Athletics 7-6 in 11 innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 12: Miguel Andujar #41 of the New York Yankees in action against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium on May 12, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Athletics 7-6 in 11 innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

22. Miguel Andujar

The New York Yankees entered this season without a set plan for third base after trading Chase Headley to free up more room to pay Giancarlo Stanton and future free agents. Utility man Ronald Torreyes figured to receive a long look and more at-bats at third base. The Yankees also had to determine if top prospect Miguel Andujar was ready to stick in the big leagues. The 23-year-old got a brief cup of coffee at the end of 2017 but was still viewed as a bit raw.

Andujar answered any questions about his readiness with an epic Spring Training. He hit .267/.306/.622 with four home runs in 15 games to lock up his spot on the roster for Opening Day. Given his chance to play almost every day, Andujar has proven himself to be more than ready to start for a World Series contender.

In 38 games, the third baseman has hit .285/.295/.497 with 13 doubles, two triples and five home runs. It is slightly troubling that he has drawn only three walks in over 150 plate appearances, but the Yankees can live with the hack-happy approach as long as the power is still coming in bunches.

Defense was expected to be the one thing holding Andujar back this year, and that has proven to be true. In under 300 innings in the field, he has been worth -7 defensive runs saved and has very poor range. Andujar will have to get better with the glove because the Yankees don’t have many extra at-bats to go around at DH, but he is hitting enough to get a pass on his poor glove for now.

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