Yankees most intriguing questions as the 2018 season starts

Are We Really Seeing a New Tyler Wade?

Last season saw the end of one unsuccessful shot at the majors in Rob Refsnyder, and what looked like the start of another one in Tyler Wade. Looking overwhelmed at the plate and unsure in the field, Wade got just nine hits in 53 AB.

His numbers by the end of the season did not suggest someone coming back to the Bronx. His line of .222/.224/.446, along with his 19 SO and zero home runs reveals an impatient hitter with little ability to use the lumber.

Even his obvious speed was lost as he accounted for just 13 total bases (TB). It seemed he would come into camp with his job already lost.

But even before Spring Training the Yankees were saying we did not see the real Tyler Wade last year. They—and he—vowed we would see that man in this year’s camp, the same one who hit .310/.382/.460 at Triple-A last season. And who collected 105 hits in 339 AB’s, adding up to 156 TB.

Turns out, they were right.

Good and Getting Better

The 2018 version of Wade has looked much better, so far, hitting .273/.400/.386. Four of his 12 hits have been for extra bases, and he now has 17 TB in only 44 AB. His confidence is high, and his smooth play has him looking like the most athletic player in the infield.

But it is still just spring training; how will this Wade do when the games are for real?

What will happen after he gets struck out on a nasty breaking ball by David Price? Will he crater? Or will he come back and work a walk, steal a bag and score on a single? And even if his confidence stays high, does he have the raw talent to succeed at the major league level?

Are we really seeing a better Tyler Wade?

I think we are, at least in terms of OBP and TB. Wade still does not strike me as a very good major league hitter, but between his walks and bunting, he should get on somewhere in the mid-.300’s. And as the fastest player on the team, he will be first up to pinch-run in any game he does not start.

If he can equal Gardy’s .350 on-base percentage from 2017, along with his excellent defense, the team will have an above league-average player. Which is precisely what is going to happen. There might be better players coming through the system, but Wade will hold up his end in the interim.

But now that we know which Wade the Yankees are getting, the question becomes, what about Aaron Hicks?