The Yankees traded for Josh Donaldson this offseason with the hope they may considerably improve the left aspect of their infield and revive the profession of a big-time hitter who had received the American League MVP award in 2015.
By way of the primary 79 video games from their new third baseman, the Yankees had gone 1-for-2.
Donaldson is making a powerful case for his first Gold Glove, and a number of other metrics point out he needs to be the AL front-runner. The Yankees consider there may be nonetheless extra in Donaldson as a hitter, and they aren't content material with the trade-off of a vacuum glove and a struggling bat.
“I would like each,” supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned earlier than the Yankees’ 11-5 victory over the Royals on Friday in The Bronx. “And I anticipate him to nonetheless do each.”
By way of 80 video games, the Yankees are nonetheless ready for the 36-year-old to interrupt by means of offensively. He has a .687 OPS, which is his worst since 2012. As not too long ago as 2019, Donaldson’s OPS was .900 with 37 residence runs. He has 9 homers this season.
Donaldson referred to as the begin to his Yankees tenure “irritating,” however mentioned not too long ago his swing has felt higher. Proper shoulder irritation sidelined him in late Could and early June, and he could have pressed upon returning.
“There was a degree after I got here off the IL the place I used to be type of in limbo, in between, the place am I going? I felt like I used to be making an attempt to get it abruptly coming again,” mentioned Donaldson, whose common dipped to .223 after he went 1-for-5 with a run scored Friday. “However now I really feel like I’ve acquired a very good maintain mentally and bodily of what I’m making an attempt to perform.”
If he has been chasing outcomes an excessive amount of, it has been mirrored in his chase price. Donaldson had swung at 30.2 p.c of pitches out of the strike zone this season, simply the worst mark of his profession, during which he has chased 23.2 p.c.
The struggles haven't translated to the sector, the place Donaldson has been all the pieces the Yankees anticipated. Really, greater than that.
“I knew we have been nonetheless getting a very good defender over at third,” Boone mentioned. “I didn’t know we have been getting this good of 1.”
Donaldson, who made just a few good picks within the Yankees’ win Thursday, is the highest AL third baseman each in outs above common and defensive runs saved, superior statistics which might be simply what they sound like. The Yankees’ protection has been among the many finest at defensive effectivity, and the most important soar from final season has been upgrading the left aspect of the infield.
By outs above common, Donaldson has been the most effective AL third baseman. Second finest has been DJ LeMahieu.
“The protection has been spectacular between him and DJ,” Boone mentioned.
Donaldson has by no means received a Gold Glove, although he thought “a pair instances” he ought to have obtained stronger consideration for the award.
In his twelfth season, he has modified a bit defensively. His vary may be down, however he's enjoying additional again as a Yankee, which helps him get to extra balls.
Maybe that may find yourself bringing him an honor that has eluded him.
“It’d be good. Personally, I feel that’s actually the one award I haven’t received as a participant,” Donaldson mentioned. “I’ve at all times needed to win it. I take a whole lot of pleasure in my protection. … However on the finish of the day, I’m simply making an attempt to go on the market and make performs.”
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