Rookie shows the right stuff on going deep
It was historically difficult for Kyle Higashioka to come across a hit. It was impossible for him to have known how easily home runs would soon come.
Following a franchiseworst 0-for-22 skid to begin Higashioka’s major league career, the New York Yankees’ thirdstring catcher joined the better side of team history Wednesday by becoming the second Yankee to hit three home runs in the first three hits of his career.
With a solo shot in a 6-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves, Higashioka joined Alfonso Soriano (1999-2000) as the only players in team history to accomplish the feat. Higashioka also became the first player in the majors to do so since Colorado’s Trevor Story in 2016.
“I couldn’t have imagined it like that, but I’m just glad that they’re contributing to wins,” said Higashioka, who went 1 for 3, to Howie Kussoy of the New York Post. “After the first one, I definitely was able to relax a little more. Now, I just feel like I’m sticking to my approach, taking some good swings. It’s coming together a little bit.”
With Austin Romine given another day to rest his hamstring injury, Higashioka made his fourth consecutive start another memorable one after taking starter Julio Teheran’s fastball to left field in the fifth inning.
Though Higashioka, 28, hit only five home runs in 183 at-bats in Class AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre this season, he hit 21 home runs in the minors in 2016, split between Class AA Trenton and Class AAA.
“He’s been known for that power, organizationally speaking. We view him in that light, even though he hasn’t necessarily hit for it down there. The power’s in there,” Manager Aaron Boone said. “Do you expect a guy to come up as the third catcher and hit three home runs right away? Maybe not necessarily, but I wouldn’t say the power is honestly a surprise.”
Boone has been even more pleased with Higashioka’s effort behind the plate, helping CC Sabathia to a victory, while the lefty threw a season-high 103 pitches.
“[It’s] really impressive, and much-needed with [Romine] being a little banged up,” Boone said. “Leaning on him again, day game after a night game, comes out and hits another homer. One thing he does really, really well is receive, and we can see that each and every game.
“Just another guy, really, in a long line of guys that have come up here, not sure what you’re gonna get when they get thrusted in there, and another guy that’s gone out there and been productive and helped us win games.”