NEW YORK — It was a couple of minutes after the Yankees shook fingers for the 94th and closing time throughout this common season, celebrating a 6-4 victory over the Pirates that was powered partially by Alex Verdugo’s two-run single via the suitable facet of the infield.
Standing on the middle of a half-circle of outstretched microphones and buzzing tv cameras, the veteran outfielder was requested how he considered his function for the upcoming postseason. A quick pause adopted.
“I don’t know,” Verdugo replied.
Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned he continues to ponder his lineup for Saturday’s ALDS Sport 1, weighing Verdugo’s dependable protection in opposition to high prospect Jasson Domínguez’s offensive potential.
“We’ll let the week unfold,” Boone mentioned. “I’ve ideas in my thoughts, however we’ll let that unfold.”
The Yankees adopted via on their assertion that Domínguez would play recurrently as soon as promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, beginning the 21-year-old in 15 of their 19 video games from Sept. 9 on.
Throughout that West Coast swing, Domínguez failed to trace a Justin Turner fly ball that fell behind him on Sept. 18, then couldn’t discover a bases-loaded Turner drive within the solar the following day, clanging off his glove as a run scored.
On Sept. 26 in New York, Domínguez misplayed a Colton Cowser fly ball right into a two-run single early in a loss to the Orioles.
“Clearly, there are issues I have to work on,” Domínguez mentioned. “However I really feel like with extra work, I can get there. … I’ve been working nearly day by day in left subject, getting my fungoes, shagging, every part. I don’t assume I’m that far [off].”
Final season, Domínguez’s eight-game cameo offered a cause to observe because the Yankees fought to keep away from the franchise’s first shedding season since 1992, together with a homer off the Astros’ Justin Verlander on his first swing in a Main League ballpark.
Spotlight-reel moments have been more durable to return by on this second go-round. In 18 video games this yr, Domínguez hit simply .179/.313/.304 (77 OPS+), with a double, two homers, 4 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.
“He clearly had some hiccups within the outfield and didn’t mild up the stat line from an offensive standpoint,” Boone mentioned. “However I felt like he was having high quality at-bats nonetheless. I actually know what he’s able to on either side of the ball and the velocity part he brings to the desk.”
Boone has identified the interrupted nature of Domínguez’s season; after getting back from Tommy John surgical procedure in Might, Domínguez sustained an indirect pressure whereas batting for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre that saved him out of motion till late July.
When Domínguez returned, he primarily performed his pure place of middle subject; he noticed simply 11 Minor League video games in left subject, in contrast with 28 in middle subject and one in proper subject. Domínguez performed 13 huge league video games in left subject (12 begins), in contrast with 4 video games in middle subject (three begins) and one as a chosen hitter this season.
“I haven’t performed a ton of video games in left subject, however I really feel I can do it,” Domínguez mentioned.
Mentioned Boone: “I really feel like he’s able to go, and no matter means we go, he’s going to play an enormous half.”
The size of Yankee Stadium’s left subject add to the issue issue, as its giant expanse is much less forgiving than the right-field brief porch that Juan Soto patrols. For instance, that’s why Brett Gardner — a prototypical defensive middle fielder — spent most of his profession in left subject.
It’s also why the Yankees valued Verdugo’s above-average protection so extremely following a 2023 season during which transformed infielders Oswaldo Cabrera (325 innings) and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (248 innings) led the workforce’s left fielders in innings performed.
Verdugo concluded the common season with a +3 Fielding Run Worth in left subject, fifth amongst Main Leaguers to play at the very least 750 innings on the place, a class led by the Orioles’ Colton Cowser (+10). Domínguez generated a -2 Fielding Run Worth on the place in his small pattern dimension this yr.
The converse level is that Verdugo’s energy dipped sharply within the second half, as he collected simply 12 extra-base hits (9 doubles and three homers), in comparison with 30 earlier than the All-Star break. Total, Verdugo batted .233/.291/.356 (83 OPS+) with 13 homers and 61 RBIs in 149 video games this season.
But Verdugo has some postseason expertise underneath his belt, an element Boone might weigh underneath October’s brighter lights. Verdugo logged 11 playoff video games with the Pink Sox in 2021, together with a three-RBI efficiency in Boston’s AL Wild Card Sport win over the Yankees.
“Within the playoffs, each pitch, each inning, each at-bat issues,” Verdugo mentioned. “It’s not about what you probably did within the season; it’s actually not. It’s about what you possibly can go on the market and do, and the way clutch you could be.”
