The Pinstripe

Last season was a nightmare.  Between the unacceptable play and flawed roster, I hated the dreaded waiting for every game to start. Every series we told ourselves: "Maybe this will finally be the series the Yankees figure it out and look like a postseason team.  Maybe the offense will stop looking overmatched. " Every series we were let down, as no-name pitchers and prospects mowed down hitters like they were prime Randy Johnson, and scoring three runs would be a "good" offensive night for that team.  This year's team has an opportunity to make us forget last season's frustrations. As I mentioned in my Spring Training Roster Preview , Cashman and the Yankees aggressively pursued trades to address their biggest issues (lack of lefty-hitting, healthy outfielders), and utilized Free Agency to supplement their trades and address other needs (pitching).  Despite this, there are still some lingering internal concerns that need to be resolved if the Yankees wish to...

One of the best days of the year just passed, as pitchers and catchers (officially) reported yesterday to kick off baseball season with position players (and the return of The Pinstripe ) not far behind.   Last season was a nightmare.  Sure the Yankees (miraculously) finished above .500 for the millionth season in a row but didn't have a chance to play meaningful October baseball thanks to their severely flawed roster.  Offensively, the Yankees were relying on aging  players that struggled against velocity leaving them vulnerable (and sometimes helpless) at times. The Yankees aggressively pursued trades this offseason and supplemented those trades by signing some free agents with the hopes of pushing last year's miserable season way into the rearview mirror.   Did they do enough? Let's take a look at the Yankees' probable opening day position groups heading into spring training where I will give general thoughts on how each player can contribute as wel...

Weekly Overview The New York Yankees have just wrapped up a highly successful road trip, leaving fans with a renewed sense of excitement. The team dominated with a remarkable 6-1 record, an achievement that included a 3-1 series victory against the Tigers and an impressive 3-0 sweep against the Astros—marking the first time in nearly a decade that they've swept Houston. Despite some struggles in batting average (.211) and a high strikeout rate (31.6%), the Yankees boasted a remarkable +18 run differential. Today, we're focusing solely on the positives, given the incredible vibes surrounding the team. Positives: New Kids on the Block Lead the Way: The newest additions to the Yankees roster have made an immediate impact, propelling the team to a sweep against the Astros. Jasson Dominguez, the highly anticipated prospect, delivered a homer in his debut game against none other than Justin Verlander. He continued his hot streak with two more homers during the sweep. Austin Wells, wh...

The Yankees' ongoing commitment to youth is on full display as the number 8 prospect, Austin Wells, gets the call for his big league debut. Set to make his entrance alongside top prospect Jasson Dominguez, Wells is the latest addition to the surge of youthful energy in the Yankees' lineup. His promotion follows recent call-ups of highly touted prospects Oswald Peraza and Everson Pereira, forming a promising core of emerging talent. Minor League Career: Despite being selected in the first round of the 2020 draft as a catcher, there have been questions about his long term position at the major league level.  Due to this, the Yankees are looking to broaden his capabilities by providing opportunities in the corner outfield as well as planning on giving him an opportunity at first base. At 24 years old, Wells might have seen his debut sooner if not for an unfortunate rib injury during spring training, leading to a delayed start. Wells' minor league journey spans four years. In 2...

The New York Yankees are poised to welcome their number one prospect, Jasson Dominguez, to the big leagues. Dominguez's debut, set for Friday, September 1st, is a highly anticipated event that signifies a pivotal shift in the team's approach. With the recent departure of Harrison Bader, an outfield spot has opened up, setting the stage for Dominguez to make his highly anticipated debut in pinstripes, something fans have been waiting for since he signed as a international FA in 2019. Minor League Journey: Jasson Dominguez, affectionately known as "The Martian" due to his unearthly potential even as a 16-year-old, made headlines when he signed with the Yankees for a record-breaking $5.1 million bonus.  In 2022, he climbed the ranks from low A to AA, showcasing his potential with a solid slash line of .273/.376/.461 and an OPS of .837 across 120 games. Throughout 2023, Dominguez continued to prove his worth. Starting the year in AA, he initially faced some challenges but...

Welcome back to The Pinstripe Weekly Recap! This week, the Yankees navigated through a series of ups and downs, resulting in a 2-4 record. Let's delve into the details of their performance against the Nationals and Rays, and highlight the notable moments from both ends of the spectrum. Team Performance Overview The Yankees encountered a challenging week, facing off against the Nationals and Rays. The team finished with a 2-4 record, battling their way through a series of tough matchups. The offense struggled, maintaining a team average of just .197 and a high strikeout rate of 27.1%. Despite this, the Yankees managed to maintain a positive run differential of +4, largely due to decisive victories against the Nationals (9-1) and the Rays (6-2). Pinstripe Positives Luis Severino's Redemption : One of the week's bright spots was Luis Severino's impressive performance. He threw 6.2 innings of shutout baseball, offering a glimmer of hope that he might be turning his season a...