New York Yankees: 2019 letter grades for each player

Despite being eliminated from the postseason prematurely, the New York Yankees had a uniquely successful MLB season. Let’s look at how each player did in 2019.

Even though the New York Yankees outplayed the Houston Astros by every statistical measure, they were eliminated during the ALCS. Because of this, the 2010s will officially be the first decade since the 1910s that the franchise will miss the World Series.

For some, that may seem like a massive failure since in New York, fans expect a championship or bust. However, when you consider the circumstances of the 2019 season, this year was a major accomplishment for the team.

Let’s begin with the fact that way back on August 30th, the Yankees set the all-time record for the most injured team in history. At the time, 29 different Yankee players had landed on the IL.

Among those players were Giancarlo Stanton (played 18 G), Aaron Hicks (played 59 G), Luis Severino (only 3 GS), Dellin Betances (played 1 G), Didi Gregorius (played 82 G), and more.

Despite this fact, the Yankees managed to win 103 games, securing their first division title since 2012, and taking the best team in baseball to the final out of game six of the ALCS.

To fully understand just how the New York Yankees managed to string together such a successful season, we need to take a deep dive look at how the players performed.

To start, let’s look at the Yankee infielders.

New York Yankees Infielders

DJ LeMahieu (5.4 fWAR) was arguably the most important free-agent signing of the 2019 MLB season. Not only is he being talked about as a serious candidate for the AL MVP award, he just about single-handedly kept the New York Yankees relevant during this past season.

Because Didi was set to miss a good portion of the season, DJ managed to play second base while Gleyber filled in at short. Then, after the team lost Miguel Andujar in the first week, he seamlessly filled in at third. Finally, he also demonstrated a great ability to play first base once Voit also fell to injury.

What’s more, LeMahieu wore all of these hats while also stringing together, arguably, his best offensive season. His stats: .327 AVG, .375 OBP, and .518 SLG all exceed his career averages.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: A+

Gio Urshela (3.1 fWAR) was a blessing in disguise for the Yankees this season. Highly regarded because of his defensive prowess, this season Urshela proved that he can swing a pretty good stick too. This season, Gio hit .314 with a .355 OBP and .534 SLG.

This has left many wondering whether there will be a place for former ROY runner-up Andujar. My guess is, probably not. Not only is Urshela an improved defensive third baseman, but he also demonstrated the type of attitude needed to man the hot corner in New York.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: A

New York Yankees Infielders, Continued

 Gleyber Torres (3.4 fWAR) is a part of perhaps the greatest heist in MLB history – Brian Cashman traded Aroldis Chapman for Torres in 2016 and then signed Chapman back in 2017 – this postseason he has shown that the big moment really isn’t so big after all.

The only knock one can have against Torres is that he can be streaky at times and somewhat lazy defensively. As he matures as a player, the patience at the plate should come. Also, should an untimely error be made on his behalf, the Yankee faithful will let him hear it.

All in all, however, this season, Gleyber proved that he can hit (.278 AVG, .337 OBP, .535 SLG), he can field, and he can come through when the team needs him most. This has given the team and the fanbase the confidence that the Yanks will be relevant for the foreseeable future.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: B+

While Gary Sanchez (2.3 fWAR) spent a good chunk of time on the IL the season when on the field he showed great promise both offensively and defensively.

Defensively, Gary has always taken a lot of flack for passed balls. In fact, he led the league in 2017 and 2018 with 16 and 18 PB respectively.

In 2019, however, those numbers dropped precipitously. This season, Gary only had 7 passed balls, gaining the confidence of his team behind the plate.

Offensively, Gary’s average (.232) remained suboptimal. However, his power production (.525 SLG) was absolutely stellar. In fact, his Barrels/PA % (11.7) was 2nd highest among MLB players, trailing only Nelson Cruz of the Minnesota Twins.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: B

New York Yankees Infielders, Continued

Luke Voit (1.7 fWAR) followed up his breakout 2018 season with a slightly reduced 2019 season. In all, Voit’s greatest strength continues to be his patience at the plate and power production. This season, in 118 G, Voit hit 21 HR and had a .378 OBP.

Defensively, however, Voit was notably worse. According to FanGraphs, Voit’s defensive rating is 10 points less than it was last year; His Defensive Runs Saved are virtually identical and his UZR dropped from -0.8 to -3.9.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: C-

Having missed about half of the season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery, when Didi Gregorius (0.9 fWAR)  returned, he wasn’t quite the same.

Offensively, Didi had the worst statistical season as a member of the New York Yankees. His .238 AVG, .276 OBP, and .441 SLG all fall short of his average as a Yankee.

What’s more, defensively, Didi had a bit of a dropoff as well. While still a plus defender, according to FanGraphs, his defensive rating dropped from 9.8 to 3.6, he saved four fewer runs, and his UZR dropped from 3.9 to 0.2.

As he enters free agency, many wonder if he will return to New York next season. Personally, I sure hope so.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: D

New York Yankees Outfielders

Aaron Judge (4.6 fWAR) continued to demonstrate why he is the heart and soul of the team this season. Having missed a good chunk of the season due to an oblique strain, he still managed to string together an elite offensive season.

In fact, in just 102 games played, Judge still managed to hit 27 HR while hitting .272 with a .381 OBP and .540 SLG. His .921 OPS, believe it or not, is actually an improvement from his 2019 season.

What’s more, this season Judge improved defensively. According to FanGraphs, Judge saved 5 more runs than he did in 2018 and improved his UZR from 8.4 to 12.7.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: A

While Aaron Judge spent 2-months on the IL nursing an oblique injury, a little know player by the name of  Mike Tauchman (2.6 fWAR) filled in and made a name for himself in New York.

A product of the Colorado Rockies system, Tauchman was traded to the Yankees prior to the 2019 MLB season for LHP Phillip Diehl. To their credit, the Yankees saw potential in Tauch and it paid off immensely.

This season, in 87 games, Tauchman hit .277 with a .361 OBP and .504 SLG. He was Judge-adjacent if you will. Not only that, defensively he was absolutely stellar, saving 16 runs and posting a 7.1 UZR.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: A-

New York Yankees Outfielders, Continued

Brett Gardner (3.6 fWAR) really made things harder for the Yanks this season, which many believed would be the veterans final year in New York. Not only did he have his best offensive season ever, but he also set career highs in HR (28), SLG (.503), and OPS (.829), he continued to play at an elite level defensively.

What’s more, he gifted players and fans with some of the most epic rallying calls to memory:

Brett Gardner bangs top of dugout

We're almost there, guys … Hang in there.

Posted by YES Network on Monday, October 14, 2019

Moving forward, with the Yankees having extreme depth in the outfield position, it’s hard to see a place for Gardy on the team. However, one can’t imagine that the veteran outfielder, the last member of the 2009 Championship team, won’t get a proper send-off in the Bronx.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: B+

 Cameron Maybin (1.6 fWAR) to fill in for a slew of injured outfielders, it was hard not to see the desperation the team must have felt. Having played on seven teams prior to joining the Bronx Bombers, it was all but certain that this was going to be a temporary stint, right?

Wrong.

As a member of the Yankees, Maybin excelled, promptly becoming a fan-favorite. In 82 G with New York, Maybin hit .285 with a .364 OBP and .494 SLG, all exceeding his career averages.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: B+

New York Yankees Outfielders, Continued

Prior to the 2019 MLB season, Aaron Hicks (1.1 fWAR) and the Yankees agreed to a 7-year deal worth $70M ($10M AAV). When healthy, Hicks is worth every dollar. Again, when healthy.

Offensively, Hicks diminished a bit, hitting just .235 with a .325 OBP and .443 SLG. In all, those are pretty in line with his career averages. However, inside of those are a number of huge hits. For example, back to back game-tying home runs on July 5th and 6th against Tampa and a clutch three-run home run off of none other than Justin Verlander in game five of the ALCS.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: C+

Clint Frazier (0.1 fWAR) is something of an enigma in New York. While there is no question that he is ready to hit in the big leagues, defensively, and perhaps even maturely, he has left a lot to be desired.

Never could I have imagined that a player would openly challenge the Yankee brass and the New York media, which by the way is an extension of the fans. It’s difficult to see place on the team for Frazier, but one thing’s for sure, he does have a bright future in MLB.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: C-

New York Yankees Designated Hitters

When the Yankees acquired Edwin Encarnacion (2.5 fWAR) in a trade for Juan Then, the team figured they found their man. Giancarlo Stanton had missed a large chunk of the season and the team was in need of a DH.

For a time, Encarnacion won over the hearts of the team and the fans. However, Encarnacion also fell victim to injury while in pinstripes, when he fractured his wrist in early August, causing him to miss over a month of baseball.

When healthy, though, Encarnacion provided the Yankees with the type of power the DH position had been missing. In fact, in just 44 games, Encarnacion hit 13 HR while slugging .531.

Encarnacion’s current deal includes a club option, which includes a $5M buyout. Given the depth of the franchise, you’d think the team would exercise that option.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: B

Through no fault of his own, Giancarlo Stanton (0.4 fWAR) has earned the ire of Yankees fans. Some of that has to do with the fact that he strikes out a lot. It also has to do with the unprecedented number of games he has had to miss because of injuries.

During the 2019 MLB season, Stanton only managed to play in 18 G. While he showed improved patience and played quite well in those games, the overwhelming feeling around New York was that the slugger was a bust.

The numbers, on the other hand, say otherwise. In the games he did play, Stanton slashed .288 | .403 | .492.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: B

New York Yankees Starting Pitchers

James Paxton (3.5 fWAR) was supposed to be the ace the Yankees needed and, in some ways, especially at the end of the season, he delivered. In fact, from August 1st until the end of the season, in 11 GS, Paxton posted a 10-0 record with a stellar 2.51 ERA.

However, for most of the season, Paxton Struggled, especially in the first inning of games where 29 of the 71 runs he allowed were scored.

Next season, Paxton will be 31 and still under team control. He will need to continue to improve and demonstrate increased stamina if he wants to be viewed as a true ace moving forward.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: B

This season, Masahiro Tanaka (3.2 fWAR) had arguably his worst statistical season in MLB. A career .636 W-L% pitcher with a 3.75 ERA and 1.128 WHIP, this season Tanaka pitched to a .550 W-L% with a 4.45 ERA and 1.242 WHIP.

In the postseason, however, Tanaka proved once more why he might just be one of the best postseason pitchers ever. In three playoff starts this year, Tanaka tossed 16 IP while posting a 2.25 ERA and having a .148 batting average against.

Recently, it was reported that Tanaka was undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery. It is unclear whether he will miss any time next season.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: C

New York Yankees Starting Pitchers, Continued

Nobody expected Domingo German (1.5 fWAR) to make such an impact this season. For most of the year, however, he was the most consistent starter in the rotation, pitching to a 18-4 record and a 4.04 ERA. He also struck out 153 batters in 143 innings of work.

Unfortunately, German was suspended at the end of the 2019 season and through the postseason for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy. There have been no updates on his status or whether he will face a further penalty from MLB or the New York Yankees

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: B

For a time, Luis Severino (0.5 fWAR) was the answer to Chris Sale. The Yankees’ very own homegrown ace. Unfortunately, that hope hasn’t come fully to fruition and the Dominican-born starter will need another season to prove his worth to the team and to the fans.

This season, after agreeing to a 4-year, $40M deal ($10M AAV), Severino only managed to start three games. While he looked stellar in those games, his postseason starts left a lot to be desired.

The good news is that 2020 is a whole new opportunity for the young righty. Hopefully, he can pull through.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: B

New York Yankees Starting Pitchers, Continued

When the Yankees opted to re-sign J.A. Happ (1.1 fWAR) to a 2-year, $34M deal, many were puzzled. In 2018, the Yanks traded for Happ because he was supposedly able to neutralize a hot Red Sox lineup.

It turned out that that wasn’t actually the case. In one start against Boston in the ALDS last year, Happ only managed to toss 2 IP, allowing 5 ER in the process.

What’s more, this season was Happ’s worst statistical season of his career. He pitched to a 4.91 ERA and allowed a career-high 34 HR.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: D

CC Sabathia (0.4 fWAR) has been the leader the Yankees have always wanted. While he hasn’t been the same fireballer over the past six or seven seasons, his clubhouse presence has been as integral to this team as… say… Judge’s bat.

His passion for the game is so strong that he literally left it all on the field this season, having been removed from a postseason appearance after he heard something pop in his shoulder. It would be the last time we see Sabathia on the mound as a member of the Yankees, and It couldn’t have been more perfect.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: D-

New York Yankees Relief Pitchers

The lasting image Yankees fans will have of Aroldis Chapman (2 fWAR) if he chooses to opt-out of his current deal will be the smile he worse while Jose Altuve hit a walk-off HR to eliminate the Yanks from the postseason.

Don’t be fooled, however, the smile was nothing more than a sign of frustration. In a playoff series where very few went right for New York, it was fitting that this is how the team would be sent home.

Chapman’s tenure in New York can be described as dominant. He has the lowest FIP (2.31) for a relief pitcher since 2017, ranks in the top 10 in K/9 (14.01), and top 5 in HR/9 (0.45). What’s more, he ranks 5th in MLB in saves with 91.

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: A

Tommy Kahnle (1.1 fWAR) was included in a trade to the Yankees alongside Todd Frazier and David Robertson back in 2017. At the time, he was seen as a young up and comer and delivered. In 2018, however, Kahnle showed a bit of a drop-off, pitching to a 6.56 ERA.

In 2019, though, Kahnle was perhaps the most effective Yankee relief pitchers not named Chapman. Not only did he accomplish something no other Yankee reliever had done before, in 11 appearances starting on April 10th, Kahnle didn’t allow a hit or a run… “the longest such streak in Yankees history.”

FINAL LETTER GRADE FOR 2019: A