Jazz Chisholm Jr. (batting 6th) — Zero panic here. He struggled in cold April last year (.181 avg) before becoming an All-Star with a 30-30 season. His two-run double Sunday could be the spark. "Right now, we're just working day to day, getting better every at-bat and hoping to get hot here soon."
The Yankees' elite pitching (Cole, Rodón, Schmidt haven't even pitched yet) is masking early offensive struggles. But with championship expectations and no ring since 2009, the bottom of the order needs to wake up — fast.
Ryan McMahon (batting 9th) — The most concerning: 2-for-23 with 11 strikeouts. A career below-average hitter (even with Coors Field help) who overhauled his swing this winter. Assistant hitting coach Casey Dykes: "Sometimes it takes time for things to feel natural, to be able to repeat them without having to overthink it."
José Caballero (batting 8th) — The temp shortstop (filling in for injured Anthony Volpe) is 4-for-31 with spotty defense, including an airmailed throw Sunday. He's stolen 3 bases but needs to reach more than .206 to challenge for playing time when Volpe returns in a month.
Austin Wells (batting 7th) — The defensive ace is 4-for-24 with hard contact but too many grounders. Boone sees progress in his at-bat quality, including a seven-pitch battle that ended with a long flyout to the wall. "I still think there's a lot more in there offensively."
The Yankees are 7-2 with MLB's best rotation ERA (1.81) — but their bottom four hitters are the worst in baseball. Nos. 6-9 are hitting .143/.167/.404 through nine games, with just 15 singles and 3 doubles in 143 plate appearances. Manager Aaron Boone admits: "We need to get more production there, and we will."
2/6 🧵
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (batting 6th) — Zero panic here. He struggled in cold April last year (.181 avg) before becoming an All-Star with a 30-30 season. His two-run double Sunday could be the spark. "Right now, we're just working day to day, getting better every at-bat and hoping to get hot here soon."
6/6 🧵
The Yankees' elite pitching (Cole, Rodón, Schmidt haven't even pitched yet) is masking early offensive struggles. But with championship expectations and no ring since 2009, the bottom of the order needs to wake up — fast.
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5/6 🧵
Ryan McMahon (batting 9th) — The most concerning: 2-for-23 with 11 strikeouts. A career below-average hitter (even with Coors Field help) who overhauled his swing this winter. Assistant hitting coach Casey Dykes: "Sometimes it takes time for things to feel natural, to be able to repeat them without having to overthink it."
4/6 🧵
José Caballero (batting 8th) — The temp shortstop (filling in for injured Anthony Volpe) is 4-for-31 with spotty defense, including an airmailed throw Sunday. He's stolen 3 bases but needs to reach more than .206 to challenge for playing time when Volpe returns in a month.
3/6 🧵
Austin Wells (batting 7th) — The defensive ace is 4-for-24 with hard contact but too many grounders. Boone sees progress in his at-bat quality, including a seven-pitch battle that ended with a long flyout to the wall. "I still think there's a lot more in there offensively."
1/6 🧵
The Yankees are 7-2 with MLB's best rotation ERA (1.81) — but their bottom four hitters are the worst in baseball. Nos. 6-9 are hitting .143/.167/.404 through nine games, with just 15 singles and 3 doubles in 143 plate appearances. Manager Aaron Boone admits: "We need to get more production there, and we will."