Do the Yankees have the best infield in baseball?
The Yankees still have the best record in baseball, but the performance of their infielders this season has largely been a mixed bag.
Not many MLB executives expected the Yankees to be starting Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres at two of their infield spots this season. As it happens, that pair happen to be the highest performing infielders on Aaron Boone’s roster.
Their excellent play is a big reason the team has experienced such prodigious success this season. Neither is likely to end up as an All-Star starter, but each youngster has a real chance to represent the Yankees in the Midsummer Classic.
Unfortunately, some of the other infielders haven’t been playing nearly as well. In this piece we’ll assign grades to each of the five infielders currently on the Yankees major league roster. The first subject is a first baseman who is really struggling at the moment.
Greg Bird
Every Yankees fans seems to want the best for Greg Bird. He seems like an infinitely likable guy and his swing from the left side of the plate seems tailor-made for Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately, he hasn’t played like a major leaguer this season.
His opportunities have been limited by injury, but he has managed to accrue 99 plate appearances. Unfortunately, he’s only managed to put up a batting average of .186. His other batting statistics aren’t much better. Three home runs and five RBIs just isn’t enough production for a player who has been given this kind of opportunity.
In all honesty, Bird should be very concerned with his plate on the roster. He’s got obvious potential, but it may require some more time before he’s ready to hold down a starting spot for the Yankees. It’s conceivable the organization might run out of patience before he’s ready to do the job.