Brett Gardner may look at leadoff role with New York Yankees this season
The New York Yankees may not look as strong as they did in 2010, but many players from the roster have the right mindset to mitigate damage this season in the American League East. Brett Gardner is one man who can make things work for the club and his inclusion
further up the order can do wonders for the club.
The outfielder is quick on his feet and has been working on his bunting quality in Spring Season. With less than three weeks left till the start of the Major League Baseball season, Gardner is enjoying his time in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. On Tuesday, the
left fielder took charge as the leadoff hitter, replacing Derek Jeter on the plate.
Even though Manager, Joe Girardi has come out to say that Jeter is the club’s shortstop and leadoff hitter he is willing to consider on the last note. Giradi recently told the press that the final batting card would not be drawn up until the end of March.
Gardner finished fourth in the Major Leagues with the most base steals and managed an on base percentage of .383. His true quality was showcased in the form of the most pitches seen per plate appearance in a game. Hitting Coach, Kevin Long believes Gardner
is ready for the challenge and that gives the Yanks an option.
"He's going to get up an extra at-bat [as a leadoff hitter], and with the rate at which he scores runs and gets on base, there's got to be some thought to him leading off," Long said. "We are thinking about it, but there's still a long way to go."
Though Brett Gardner faced a rocky second half season, last year, his problems came off a wrist injury that was repaired in the offseason. Nevertheless, Long is optimistic.
"Yeah, he's probably ready," Long said. "I would think that if we decide to go that way, or if Joe decides to go that way, he can do it. He sees the most pitches in baseball, he's had the eighth-highest on-base percentage in the American League [in 2010].
This is even after a wrist injury, he was able to do all this."
Will Girardi make the move for Brett Gardner as the leadoff hitter? We have to wait and see, nothing is for sure in baseball.
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