Wade’s making 2B job no walk in park for Neil
TAMPA — On paper, Neil Walker vs. Tyler Wade at second base seems like a pretty easy pick.
After all, Walker has plenty of experience and success on his side. Plus, he’s performed well in New York, his OPS has always hovered around .800, and he rips right-handed pitching.
Wade, on the other hand, struggled mightily at the plate during his brief cameo in the Bronx last season.
And yet, despite all of that, the Yankees didn’t name the versatile/recently injury-prone Walker their everyday second baseman when they signed him to a one-year, $4 million deal earlier this week.
Plus, they continue to rave about the 23-year-old Wade, who made two slick fielding plays and walked twice in Thursday’s 9-5 win over the Pirates.
So yes, it still somehow seems possible that Wade could pull off the NCAA tournament version of a 5-12 upset here.
“He’s a better player than I thought,” Aaron Boone said of Wade. “And I came in with some expectations, and our organization thinks very highly of him. But it seems like almost on a daily basis he does something with his athleticism or instinct that I think has been impressive.”
Wade displayed what Boone referred to as “elite range” in diving to his left to rob Colin Moran of a hit in the third. An inning later, he made a slick backhanded play up the middle to rob Josh Harrison of what could’ve been a two-run single.
At the plate, he walked against Pittsburgh’s flamethrowing closer, Felipe Rivero, after narrowly avoiding an inside pitch that was ticketed for his head early in the at-bat.
“Another one of those days where he opens your eyes with the dynamic he brings,” Boone said.
Wade put in a lot of work during the offseason, taking hitting tips from Albert Pujols and adding 15 pounds of muscle. “I feel like I’ve been playing with a chip on my shoulder, with a lot more confidence,” said Wade, who is hitting .310 this spring. “Just trying to play my game and not worry about other things.” Wade, who plays the outfield also, and Walker, who can play both corner infield positions, both bring their share of versatility to the table. Wade can also bunt and be disruptive on the base paths. Walker will start at first on Friday in his Yankee debut. He played first and third during his simulated game against minor-leaguers on Thursday in Tampa. Still, Boone said he will get some time at second before the spring ends. “I look at it as we have two really good players there that can impact our club in different ways,” Boone said. “And as I’ve said, the versatility of both guys in different ways I think adds to our dynamic hopefully.” Of course, it’s possible that top prospect Gleyber Torres could be ready in May or so, making this decision potentially a short-term one. Even so, you’d think Walker would have the edge here. Still, there’s no doubt the organization loves Wade — who hit just .155 in 58 at-bats with the Bombers in 2017 — as some with the team believe his struggles were due to sporadic playing time. So yes, maybe the 5-12 upset is possible. “My mindset right now is to finish strong, keep doing what I’m doing, and whatever happens happens,” Wade said.