Andujar looks Andujar looks like better bet in Yankee
LAKELAND, Fla. — Miguel Andujar took to playing the outfield like a natural. With natural speed to cover ground and a strong arm, he reacted to bats off the ball like he played there before.
At first base, however, not so much.
“A work in progress,” is how Yankees manager Aaron Boone described Andujar’s first game at first base.
It was awkward, choppy and rough, and to be honest the experiment of having him play there may just be over.
“Right now, it’s kind of a little bit of a priority to get him back in the outfield and get those reps,” Boone said, “as well [as] making sure we get him back at third. It’s a little tricky with Miggy in that we don’t want to run him into the ground and we want to build him up property. But it’s important for him to get these reps, especially in the different spots.”
With Giancarlo Stanton likely to begin the season on the injured list and Aaron Judge likely to join him if they don’t figure out exactly how to heal his balky “shoulder/chest area,” then there is more playing time in the outfield for Andujar.
And the Yankees need his bat even more.
After missing most of the 2019 season because of surgery to repair a torn labrum, Andujar has recovered the same lightningquick bat speed that made him a Rookie of the Year runner up in 2018. He slashed .297/.328/.527 with 27 home runs and 47 doubles in 606
at-bats that year.
It was always his defense that was the question with Andujar. Andujar committed 15 errors at the hot corner in 2018 and had a cringeworthy -25 defensive runs saved. That was the fourth most by a third baseman in the majors that season.
When he was hurt last year, he was replaced as the everyday starting third baseman by Gio Urshela, a smooth fielder who surprised many by revamping his swing and producing at the pate last year. Urshela was named the Yankees starter at the hot corner by Boone and GM Brian Cashman before spring training even started.
But the Yankees need to find room in their lineup for that bat — it just doesn’t sound like it will be at first base right now.
For his part, Andujar has been more than game to try the Yankees experiment. He’s worked diligently in the outfield, at third and at first this spring.
“The plan will be to play multiple positions … play outfield, play infield,” Andujar said through Yankees interpreter Marlon Abreu. “Wherever the team needs me, I’ll be there. The opportunity the team is going to offer me to play … I’m going to enjoy it.”
Thursday was not fun for anyone. I blustery day in Lakeland had new ace Gerrit Cole giving up four homers and six runs in two innings. Andujar made an awkward reaction to the first ball hit to him, an uncertain backhand and shaky throw — but got an out. In the third inning, he wasn’t so lucky when he dropped a very catchable throw from Urshela and was charged with an error.
“I just dropped it,” Andujar said with a shrug. “Just part of the game, I dropped it.”
It was the first time playing first on a day with less than ideal conditions, but it’s clear that Andujar wasn’t comfortable there. The manager seemed to notice that too.
“It’s not as natural as left field for him, but he’s been working more every day in left and taking his outfield work and then getting his third base work,” Boone said, “and then sprinkling in first base.”
Boone emphasized that Andujar will be getting back to his comfort zone in the outfield and third base this spring, so it sounds like Andujar will be playing first in emergency situations only.