NicksPitch

Our guys looked confident and hit the ball hard. Gio Urshela bombed one to dead center, the wind helped it a bit but nonetheless was a great AB. Miggy lined one out to short at probably 100 MPH exit velo, and he just looks so comfortable and ready. I think our Miggy “two bags” Andujar is back! LeMahieu went 2-3 with a single up the middle and another AB driving in two. Torres with a double. Tauchman with a sac fly. Even our reserves like Kyle Higashioka and Tyler Wade got good hits late in the game.

It was a blowout from the start and the game felt over before the 2nd inning even started as the Yankees took an early 6-0 lead.

Oh, and Tanaka looked very controlled, I believe 3 innings, 6 Ks and no hits. Ottovino and Britton, even Jonathan Loaisiga, all three really well.

Even with Judge and Stanton our for the time being, our next man up call from last year really propelled the young guys into more comfortable and set roles for this 2020 season. Everyone looks so cool and confident right now, I think even with our few injuries already, we will have an amazing season.

Miguel Andujar gets better at his other positions by the day and I think LF is actually a realistic option.

Tomorrow, we have a night game under the lights at GMS Field against the Phillies. Should be good to see Girardi and Didi.

I am very optimistic about this season, I know big guys are out right now but our depth is so strong and deep. I’m looking at 98+ wins with a max of 104 for us this year. Our ceiling is so high I think the team knows this.

By: Tad Dieckhoff

My Top 2 players at each position

QB:

Joe Burrow LSU: The Heisman trophy winner was downright absurd in 2019-20. He put up numbers in real life that most can’t achieve on Madden. He absolutely easily set the passing touchdowns in a season record that has stood since 2006 tossing SIXTY touchdowns. 

“I don’t how many touchdowns i’ve scored..ehhh I think about 60” -Bug Wendall(Gridiron Gang 2006)

We could talk all day about Burrows ridiculous season but how will this translate to the next level? I don’t see the concern some others have addressed with Burrows attitude, he wants to win football games, thats the bottom line. He has the arm talent, athleticism, and work ethic to be a great NFL QB. But what makes him special in my eyes is his ability to improvise when the pocket breaks down, he never panics, hes calm and collected and usually turns nothing into something(a bomb of a touchdown) I don’t see any scenario where he isnt the first overall pick.

Tua Tugovailoa Alabama:

Tua is one of the most efficient college QBs ee have ever seen, simply put when he’s on the field he produces at a high level and can make all of the throws you need at the next level. But the key words there were when he’s on the field. We have honestly only seen a small sample size of Tua, as a freshman he won a national title..but, he only played a half of football the entire season, it just happened to be the second half of the national title game vs Georgia. Last season it looked like he would run away with the Heisman until ankle injuries plagued him down the stretch in the SEC championship game specifically. Same story this season as he was having another great year before getting injured, a MUCH more serious injury this time however. He dislocated his hip, and injury we have seen very few football players overcome..most notably Bo Jackson. Bo however needed to get back to being a freak of nature runningback, while Tua is really just a pocket passer. We haven’t seen a quarterback suffer this serious injury before so there isnt much to base it on. If he can fully recover he’ll be a franchise QB, if he can’t. You’re wasting a first round pick. High risk, high reward situation here. I believe Tua will go in the top 10.

Runningback- 

Deandre Swift Georgia

Swift can do it all, hes elusive, he runs between the tackles, he has great hands and awareness catching out of the backfield, and he is well versed in the spread running shemes so many NFL coaches are now running(ie: Kyle Shannahan) When you consider the success Georgia runningbacks have had at the next level(Todd Gurley, Sony Michel, and Nick Chubb were all on the same team at one point) I believe Swift is a sure fire pick if you’re in need of a runningback. I believe he’ll be the first RB off the board. 

Najee Harris, Alabama- Harris is next up in a line of all world runningbacks from Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide. We have seen Alabama runningbacks plastered all over the NFL for what feels like a decade now. The lowest drafted Bama RB in many years was ...Derrick Henry..enough said. You pass on an Alabama runningback when you’re in need at that position, you’re likley to regret it for years to come. I believe Najee with be an exceptional player at the next level and I see him as a late first rounder.

Wide Reciever:

Jerry Jeudy, Alabama AND CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma 

I decided to group these two together because they are far and away the two best recievers in this draft and in my opinion CAN’T MISS prospects. This is not a weak reciever class like many pegged last years draft class, it is DEEP and loaded with studs yet these 2 have still separated themselves. I’d be shocked if they both don’t go top 10 I just have no idea who I would pick first. We haven’t seen two wideouts this talented in the same draft class since the 2011 draft where AJ Green and Julio Jones went 4th and 6th overall respectively (I’d say that worked out well) If i was forced to choose I would take Jeudy first just because he is just on a different level then everyone else athletically, the speed, the cutting, the stop/start ability, he will be an incredible NFL receiver for years to come. 

BONUS: Sleeper WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty

#41 3B Miguel Andujar-

Regardless of what Manager Aaron Boone has said about Miguel Andujar’s practice in the outfield, I really believe he will be playing a lot more time at third base than Gio Urshela. There are two main points why:

1.      Andujar is a much better hitter and impact player than Urshela and could help lead this team. As far as I see it, this year we might need Andujar’s bat more than Urshela’s fielding. Aaron Judge’s shoulder soreness is still up in the air, and I am worried about the run production our starters will get, specifically from our other big sluggers, like Gary Sanchez and Giancarlo Stanton. I realize its been only a few games of Spring Training, but I don’t think the balls will be flying as far as they did in 2019 with the whole “juiced ball” thing.

2.      Gio Urshela is an amazing fielder but will probably participate mostly by coming off the bench after Andujar hits late in games. Urshela did hit .314 last year during his huge breakout season but I don’t see it lasting, nor do I see Andujar lasting in the outfield or first base. Luke Voit is going to have another big year and will reserve that first base spot. Sanchez will be catching a lot more this year since Austin Romine is gone and I think his bat will suffer late in games from this. I see Stanton having a better year, but still not as good as his in 2017 with the Marlins.

I think it all comes down to health when everything unfolds and starting things off with Judge having a sore shoulder concerns me. We need a special kind of leader this year, one with a big bat, one to make a lot of noise, and that’s going to be Miguel Andujar at third base.

 #47 P Jordan Montgomery-

              James Paxton and Luis Severino, with potential to be a number two starters for the Yankees starting five rotation, are both hurt. Paxton just had back surgery and Severino feels a loose body in his elbow when throwing his changeup. Along with J.A. Happ, it is a huge year for Montgomery to show that they are here to stay. Happ was being talked about in trade rumors, but a solid Spring and year could do a lot for the Yankees and his own career. Montgomery is in a similar place as he is well recovered from his Tommy John surgery and has said he feels really strong and ready.

 #91/94 Trey Amburgey-

              Trey Amburgey is definitely a new face for Yankee fans, he has been in the minor for a few years now, but especially since 2017, has played in over 120 games each year with power and potential growing. He caught my eye during his most recent Spring Training game on Sunday the 23rd. He went two for three, with two RBI’s and a stolen base. Amburgey hit the ball well that day, and showed a lot of promise in RF. This could be our breakout guy for 2020, overall has been a quiet name in Spring but really impressed me with his poise at the plate and in the outfield. With Judge currently having a sore shoulder, Stanton’s lack of promise, and Clint Frazier not being what we need from him, Amburgey has a chance to make the team during the season. I see potential for this player, and it would be another amazing breakout performance, like Urshela last year, or Andujar in 2018, having a very high ceiling. This is more of a longshot compared to my Andujar and Montgomery predictions/opinions, but Amburgey looks ready. I would give him the at-bats this Spring if I was Boone and give the kid a real chance.