By Paul Semendinger
July 2, 2024
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WALKING...
Some people have pushed back on my point the other day that Anthony Volpe isn't walking enough. I don't think those people are watching the same games I am.
In the month of June, Anthony Volpe walked three times. Three. All month. Three times.
The Yankees' leadoff hitter walked less than once a week, for the month. No. That's not good enough.
In June, Volpe's On Base Percentage was .238. For the season, it is only .296. That's not good enough.
One response to this point of Volpe not walking has been, "Pitchers won't walk Volpe because of who is hitting after him." I get it. On a very basic level, that makes some sense.
But, in reality, that point makes very little sense. Pitchers walk batters. The very best pitchers walk batters. If a batter, a leadoff batter, walks only three times in a month, part of the problem (I'd say most of the problem) is with the batter. It wasn't like Greg Maddux started each game in June against the Yankees.
Over the last few decades we have come to realize that being able to draw a walk is a skill. It's a skill that can be developed as well. Walking is a skill Anthony Volpe needs to develop.
Anthony Volpe is having a fine season. He's doing well overall, but he is far from being a complete player.
Anthony Volpe needs to improve greatly as the leadoff hitter. He needs to get on base a lot more. Part of the way to do that is to work walks.
Bottom line - right now Anthony Volpe is not doing his job as a leadoff hitter. I know that statement upsets some people.
Sometimes the truth hurts.
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LEADOFF...
Some have asked, if not Volpe, who should bat lead off?
I have the answer.
Juan Soto.
This is so obvious, I am surprised no one has said it before. What is a leadoff guy supposed to do?
Get on base.
No one in the game gets on base better than Juan Soto. In 2024, he, again, leads the MLB in On Base Percentage.
In the history of baseball, Soto ranks 18th all-time in On Base Percentage. The only player on that list who has played since 1961 is Barry Bonds. (I chose 1961 because the only other player on that list with any recent history is Ted Williams who retired after the 1960 season.)
Juan Soto is one of the most unique players in the history of the sport- or at least basically since the 1920s and before.
Rather than having him getting on base with one out, as the Yankees are currently constructed with him batting second, the Yankees should bat him leadoff to get him on base with no outs, thus increasing the chances to score him.
This is, again, so obvious to me. I wish I had thought of this sooner.
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If the Yankees bat Soto first, Anthony Volpe should bat 9th. In essence, that would set-up the same dynamic as now. After the first inning, Volpe, Soto, and Judge, would still hit in succession.
But with my approach, the best on base guy would be starting the lineup.
That's where he should be. Absolutely.
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Teams win baseball games by scoring more runs than their opponents.
Which player is second in the MLB in runs scored?
Juan Soto.
Since 2020, what player is fourth in the MLB in runs scored? Juan Soto.
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VLAD, JR....
Surprising Fact of the Day...
(I realized this while producing the SSTN Podcast last night.)
Vlad Guerrero, Jr. is only 25-years-old.
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Even More...
Vlad Guerrero, Jr. is a month YOUNGER than Ben Rice.
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If Vlad Jr. is available, if he's going to be traded, the Yankees should make the trade. They should then play Vlad at first base.
Vlad makes the Yankees a gazillion times better. That's not even a question.
He is also signed for 2025. Vlad makes the 2024 Yankees and the 2025 Yankees significantly better.
Guerrero helps solve the Yankees' problem against left-handed pitching. He becomes another BIG bat in the lineup.
This makes far too much sense.
Guerrero is a young star. If the Yankees can get him, they should. He could be the difference maker. He fixes a lot of problems.
We discussed trading for Pete Alonso as an option for first base. Guerrero is a better player than Alonso. He's also signed for 2025. And he's younger.
***
I know Vlad said negative things about the Yankees. "I don't ever want to be a Yankee," and such. That was in 2022. It seems he reiterated some of that last year.
Who among us hasn't said dumb things when we were 23 or 24 years old?
Who among us hasn't matured and changed perspectives, thoughts, and such as we have grown older (and wiser)? (Hopefully we all have.)
If Vlad simply wants out of Toronto to play on a winner... and he's going to help the Yankees win... I'm fine with that.
The Yankees have had hosts of players over the years who said negative things who turned out to be fine players in New York. Winning can do that. Vlad would also know that a year and a half playing huge for the Yankees will net him an even greater contract in 2026.
If Vlad is available, get him!
Imagine these three hitting back-to-back-to-back:
(2024 OPS+)
Soto - 182
Judge - 217
Vlad, Jr - 141
Oh My!
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I talk, a lot, about the Yankees going all-in and showing that they are fully committed to winning a World Series. Vlad Guerrero would sure help prove that the 2024 Yankees are all-in.
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Let's Go Yankees!
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