Yankees Didi Gregorius and Josh Rogers among those shaping the season
By Cory Claus
Git ’em On, Git ’em Over, and Git ’em In
That’s how important this one aspect of offense can be. Last season, the same five AL teams with the highest OBP were the same five that made the playoffs (HOU, CLE, NYY, MIN, BOS in order of finish).
In 2017, Gregorius did little to help in this cause. Of the ten Yankees players with the most AB, Didi finished seventh (.318), and was only percentage points above the tenth place finisher (R. Torreyes, .314).
That it was so meager is one thing; that it was only 31 points above his BA is another problem altogether. And while finishing so far behind Aaron Judge (.422) is understandable, being outshone by both Starlin Castro (.338) and Chase Headley (.352) is inexcusable.
Not so this season.
Didi’s OBP is, obviously, 118 points above his BA. If he maintains that gap, even when his home run proficiency and high average take a dip, he might help push the Yankees past their competition.
Excuse us for One Moment
A note for frequent readers: Some of you will laugh at the laurels I have placed on Didi’s head here because you know I have advocated for his trade at the end of this season. I still think that is what is going to happen.
Didi is an extraordinary player, but Manny Machado has one thing he does not: Years. He is three years younger than Didi, and teams will want to pay him to do what Didi just did and is doing. And not Didi for what he’s already done.
That means two things. One, this new and as always improved Didi Gregorius can still lead this team to a title this year. And, two, he is going to bring back a system-filling ransom when the Yankees trade him.
Didi’s surge in OBP is not the only pleasant surprise of the season. After an initial rash of injuries and uncertainty, players such as Tyler Austin and Miguel Andujar are starting to assert themselves.