A next-level player
Aaron Boone says Luke Voit is easily the Yankees’ MVP
BOSTON — There is no argument for Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Luke Voit is the Bombers’ Most Valuable Player this season. Now, Boone is just happy that people across the game are recognizing he should be in the conversation for the league MVP.
“I just think we’re seeing the growth of a really good hitter that’s gone to another level and now having an MVP season,” Boone said before the Yankees’ threegame series against the Red Sox at Fenway began Friday night. “You know, it’s hard to imagine where we’d be without Luke Voit. And it’s good to see him starting to find his way in that MVP conversation.”
Whether Voit would get serious consideration for an American League MVP or not, he has really put his name in some elite company this year.
With 10 games left, Voit is starting to put some distance between himself and the pack. After hitting five home runs in the three-game series against the Blue Jays this week, the Yankees’ first baseman was the first in the majors with 20 home runs this season. He is three ahead of Jose Abreu of the White Sox and four ahead of Nelson Cruz of the Twins and perennial MVP candidate Mike Trout of the Angels.
And he’s doing it with a .283 batting average and just 44 strikeouts in 173 at-bats.
“I think it’s just a polished up approach that I think has come with experience now at the big league level,” Boone said. “He’s got a very specific routine that he does to get ready for the game as far as his pregame work. He never really hits on the field anymore. He does all his stuff behind the scenes in the cage.”
That’s not bad for a guy who