WADE MAN
Tyler will platoon with Walker in the infield, making him a ...
LAKELAND, Fla. — Aaron Boone confirmed what has felt apparent for awhile: Tyler Wade has made the Yankees. Wade, 23, doubled and tripled on Tuesday, raising his spring batting average to .316. Boone said the left-handed hitting Wade and switch-hitter Neil Walker will platoon at second base, depending on matchups. Both also have versatility.
Wade is capable of playing second, shortstop and third (along with the outfield in emergency situations), while Walker can play second, first and third.
“I wouldn’t necessarily anoint either one of them (the starter),” Boone said. “I feel like it’s just going to be a daily thing where those guys will be getting regular playing time, and I just think their skill sets complement each other. You could see both of them in a game every day — whether they’re sharing a position or playing somewhere else depending on how things unfold. I think they complement each other really well.”
All spring, Yankees officials and Boone have raved about Wade — who struggled at the plate in his brief cameo in pinstripes last season, hitting .155. His defense has been particularly impressive, as he’s made several diving plays in the field. Wade also can run the bases well.
“I’m making strides every day,” Wade said. “I’ve always said, I’m coming in, working hard, trying to put good at-bats together and play good defense.”
Scouts, though, wonder about whether Wade can be consistent enough at the plate, and one said Tuesday he foresees the youngster being more of a late-game defensive option in place of Walker down the road.
Walker, 32, is an established veteran who has had success in New York and consistently hits right-handed pitching. His OPS is regularly around .800, but he’s also had a history of injuries recently, perhaps making him best suited for a platoon role that allows him to stay fresh during the 162-game marathon.
Wade and Walker, who signed a oneyear, $4-million deal with incentives, have talked about their situation, and both appear to have a team-first mentality.
“Hey, we’re in this together,” Wade said. “We’re both going to help this team win a championship. We’re both ultra-competitors, but we understand our roles on this team and we’re going to help us in different ways. We’re excited we’re both on this team together.”
The conversation went as follows, according to Wade: “He was like, ‘Hey man, I heard a lot about you. Keep doing your thing.’ I was like, ‘Hey, man, I’m glad we got you. You’re going to help us out in a lot of different ways. You’re a big bat.’”
Ultimately, the Yankees hope top-prospect Gleyber Torres produces at Triple-A Scranton and earns a promotion. Once that happens, Torres, who doubled in Tuesday’s game, will presumably play at second every day, with Wade and Walker’s roles shifting as a result.
For now, though, the 21-year-old will continue to knock out any remaining rust in the minors — and the Bombers will gain an extra year of team control as a result.
Plus, the Yankees feel good about their situation at second in the short-term, with Wade and Walker holding down the fort.