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Yankees need Miguel Andujar to bounce back in 2020

By Matt Verderame

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Miguel Andujar #41 of the New York Yankees in action against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on May 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Miguel Andujar #41 of the New York Yankees in action against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on May 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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If the New York Yankees are going to win their 28th world championship, they need Miguel Andujar to rebound.

Miguel Andujar was a rising star before getting hurt. For the New York Yankees to reach their potential, they’ll need him back on said trajectory.

Andujar, 25, was a revelation as a rookie in 2018. The young Pinstriper hit for a .297 average and earned a .328 on-base percentage, all while mashing 47 doubles, 27 home run sand 92 RBI. While his defense on the hot corner left plenty to be desired, his upside was tremendous.

Then, 2019 happened. Andujar injured his right shoulder and underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum. He played in only 12 games and hit .128 in the small sample before going on the shelf.

The Yankees need Miguel Andujar to be healthy in 2020

Incredibly, New York didn’t miss him. The Yankees plugged Gio Urshela into the lineup and watched the journeyman hit .312 with 21 homers and 74 RBI. It was a shocking output, and one New York shouldn’t be banking on in 2020.

If Andujar can’t repeat his 2018 campaign, the Bronx Bombers could be in trouble. While Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are two of the more feared sluggers in the game, both have long-standing health concerns. Stanton was limited to 18 games last season, while Judge hasn’t played more than 112 contests in either of the past two years.

Furthermore, Judge is already recovering from a cracked rib, while Stanton sustained a right calf strain during spring training. Both should be good to go by the season opener in late July, but they remain concerns.

Having a healthy, productive Andujar in the middle of the lineup would go a long way towards alleviating the stress.

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