Calls to replace Isiah Kiner-Falefa only getting louder for New York Yankees
By David Hill
Whether it is fair or not, Isiah Kiner-Falefa has become the poster child for the New York Yankees‘ struggles. As the losses pile up, the calls to bench their starting shortstop have only gotten louder. That has only increased with the arrival of one of their top prospects in Oswald Peraza.
Even his defense has come into question lately. Despite the fact that he has saved 12 runs at short this season, and has been one of the better defensive options at the position, there is far more focus on the error he made on Friday than his ability to prevent runs from scoring.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa not helping cause with New York Yankees
Those calls are only going to get louder. He booted a routine ground ball that would have been the third out of the inning, leaving Montas to face another batter. While the run did not score, it has not helped Kiner-Falefa’s cause with the Yankees’ faithful.
The timing of these errors could not have been worse. While he had not made an error since July 13, the fact that he had a pair of errors in a critical series against the Rays as the Yankees are in free fall has not helped his cause. Kiner-Falefa has also produced a disappointing .232/.297/.305 batting line since August 1, hitting just three doubles and one homer.
It is fair to question how the Yankees have used Kiner-Falefa this season. He is the perfect utility option, someone who has won a Gold Glove at third and short in his career, someone capable of playing anywhere around the infield. He even spent time behind the plate earlier in his career and could theoretically suit up as a catcher once again if needed. If he was to have been placed in that type of a role, he could have become a beloved figure in New York.
Instead, he is one of the players being pointed to as the reason why the Yankees are struggling. To be fair, it is not just Kiner-Falefa; the Yankees lineup has been Aaron Judge and a collection of nothing far too often. However, the presence of a pair of top prospects and his own struggles are not doing Kiner-Falefa any favors.
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Isiah Kiner-Falefa is continuing to struggle with the New York Yankees. With every failure, those calls to replace him are getting louder.