Fansided

5 reasons for the Yankees’ ugly 5-5 start

By Rucker Haringey

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 12: Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees walks back to the dugout after striking out during the second inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on April 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 12: Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees walks back to the dugout after striking out during the second inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on April 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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Yankees rumors, Kyle Higashioka
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 11: Kyle Higashioka #66 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on April 11, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

2. The catcher position has actually gotten worse

The Yankees knew that jettisoning Gary Sanchez was likely going to weaken them offensively at the catcher position. The hope was that Kyle Higashioka could help keep the team’s catching tandem afloat with the pop in his bat.

Instead, Higashioka has begun the 2022 season mired in a horrendous slump. This kind of doldrum might not be quite as noticeable sandwiched in the middle of a season, but the 31-year-old only managing three hits in 25 at-bats looks pretty ugly as his full-season statistics.

If possible, Higashioka has actually looked more lost with the bat in his hands than the numbers reflect. He’s never been a high contact hitter but he has looked overmatched in his six strikeouts on the year. Higashioka may do a nice job framing pitches behind the plate but he’s looked like a minor leaguer at the plate thus far.

The immediate solution for Boone is to make him more of a platoon player until he finds some confidence. Jose Trevino isn’t going to light up MLB with his bat, but he can’t be much worse than Higashioka has been to open the season.

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