A Forgotten New York Yankee Once A Young Star
In 2018, he broke Joe DiMaggio's record of 45 doubles by a New York Yankees rookie. He hit 27 home runs and knocked in 92 runners for the Bronx Bombers. He finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. Do you know his name?
Most of you may have guessed it was Miguel Andujar. Since that amazing rookie season, the once bright young star has been hard to see at all. Andujar played in 149 games in 2018. He has played in 78 over three seasons since.
The once young star is battling this spring training to regain the form that once had him on the list of Yankees' general manager Brian Cashman's untouchable prospects. Andujar, 27 years-old now, was 0-3 with an RBI on Tuesday against Toronto. Manager Aaron Boone has used Andujar in the DH role so far this spring. He had season ending shoulder surgery in 2019 and has struggled to stay on the field or in the line-up ever since.
The once 'can't miss' phenom has one hit in 6 at-bats so far this spring. Andujar would like to somehow find himself in the Yankees outfield. That may be a tall task with the likes of Joey Gallo, Aaron Hicks and Aaron Judge in front of him but Andujar has a ton of talent. He just needs to stay healthy enough to show it consistently.
Could Andujar land on the Yankees roster as the 4th outfielder and back-up infielder? He could but it may also be possible that Brian Cashman uses Andujar and/or another future star without a position, Gleyber Torres, as trade-bait for a catcher or a front-line pitcher. Both players, along with Gary Sanchez, seemed destined for monumental careers at Yankee Stadium. One already packed his bags for a new city. The other two may not be too far behind.