Yankees 3B Miguel Andujar is bigger and better than ever

One young Yankees player who was missing from camp is their third baseman, Miguel Andujar. But he showed up by today and looks to be the bigger man.

The 2017 New York Yankees rode their youth movement all the way to game seven of the ALCS. And they are counting on more of the same in 2018. Enter 3B Miguel Andujar.

Well, at least he did that today. Close observers were wondering where Andujar has been, especially since many think he can win the starting third baseman’s job.

That seems even more likely now that 3B Todd Frazier has added another half hour to his drive from Jersey. But you gotta play to win. And Andujar had been a conspicuous absence — that all changed on Tuesday, as did expectations.

Miguel showed up today clearly bulked up from last year. That, however, seems like a natural physical progression for the very-soon-to-be 23-year-old. And it looks that way as his new size seems like a natural fit.

This should do nothing to dampen enthusiasm for his defensive play. But it might make some Yankees fans and observers think he might just turn some of his 36 doubles from last year into more than the 16 home runs he collected.

An Above Average Hitter

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But as one very keen scout commented, all that truly matters is that he brings a high batting average with him. Andujar ended his work at two levels in 2017 with a .315 BA, and that is the kind of bat the Yankees need Miguel to swing.

And that’s because Andujar might be a more essential Yankees youngster than 2B Gleyber Torres. Torres is probably the better player, but third is a harder position to replace.

That might make the Yankees decide to send Gleyber down for the start of the season. If he stays down for the first fifteen days of the regular season, the team will retain an extra year of control over the projected star. That has to be tempting.

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Plus, the team can use players such as Tyler Wade and Ronald Torreyes until Gleyber comes up.

But if they want to have a replacement until Andujar brings his cannon arm, they will most likely have to go out and get someone. That is not the Yankees plan this year.

However, if they do decide that Andujar is not ready, he is going to be the bigger man about it. In fact, he already is.