Pinstripes Projections Part 1-Position Players

By: Chad Raines

In this article, I am going to be giving you my very own projections for each and every Yankees player or minor leaguer that I think could dawn pinstripes at some point this season. Yes, there will be some players not on here that may make their way to pinstripes via trade or exceptional performance in minor league ball, but I will give you players on the 40-man or players incredibly close to being on the 40-man roster. All statistics have been calculated (with the exception of WAR as I gave it a rough estimation) to give you my most in-depth projections. The statistic will be found directly under its title (i.e. I project Brian McCann to play 137 games and hit 27 home runs). Hope you all enjoy!

Catchers

• Brian McCann (C/1B/DH)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
137	498	132	.265	27	84
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
17	1	75	39	4	5
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.330	.476	.806	0	1	2.2

Obviously, Brian McCann will be the Yankees number one catching option this season. I look for him to show improvements from last season hitting the other way and getting on base more often while seeing time at catcher, first base and designated hitter.

• JOHN RYAN MURPHY (C)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
41	119	32	.269	2	12
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
6	1	25	9	1	0
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.326	.437	.763	2	0	0.6

I expect J.R. Murphy to be the Yankees primary backup catcher, thus giving him 41 games that he will see at the position. Although he is not a proven major league hitter, Murphy can be a solid replacement for Francisco Cervelli as they are not very different players.

• AUSTIN ROMINE (C)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
12	29	7	.241	0	2
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
1	0	7	2	0	0
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.290	.310	.600	0	0	-0.1

Ultimately, Romine should find himself back in the minor leagues for most of the season. With potential injuries, it is likely he will see minimum time in the major leagues thus offering minimal production.

• Gary Sanchez (C/1B)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
5	18	4	.222	0	2
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
2	0	3	1	0	0
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.263	.333	.596	0	0	0.0

Gary Sanchez is a tough call. Although I see him being involved in a trade that the Yankees front office will orchestrate, in the event he is not moved, expect to see minimal production in minimal playing time as a September call-up.

FIRST BASEMEN

• MARK TEIXEIRA (1B/DH)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
131	471	114	.242	25	72
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
19	0	114	67	4	3
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.339	.442	.781	0	1	2.0

Now two years removed from his ailing wrist injury, Mark Teixeira appears to be completely healthy. The one hope is that he can be healthier than he was in 2014. In the event he remains relatively healthy, expect slight improvement from last season to this season.

• GARRETT JONES (DH/1B/RF)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
89	314	82	.261	14	44
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
22	0	80	32	1	3
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.329	.465	.794	1	1	1.2

As a relatively versatile back-up (at 1B, DH and RF), Jones should see a considerable amount of playing time playing roughly every other day. I don’t expect drastic improvements, but expect a higher slugging percentage due to the good-ole Yankee stadium benefitting left-handed hitters.

2^ND BASEMEN

• STEPHEN DREW (2B/SS)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
71	232	51	.220	6	26
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
14	1	67	21	0	1
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.283	.366	.649	2	2	-0.2

Although it’s incredibly hard to predict, I do not see Stephen Drew lasting to the end of the year. In fact, I do not expect Stephen Drew to be on the roster by the end of the summer. I believe another unsuccessful season at the plate will leave the Yankees no choice but to DFA Drew and bring up some of the Yankees youth we will be highly anticipating at that point.

• JOSE PIRELA (2B/3B/LF/SS/CF)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
86	304	86	.283	5	34
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
17	4	49	27	1	2
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.341	.414	.755	13	5	1.0

Oh the interesting case of Jose Pirela; a guy who most Yankee fans (myself included) would like to see start the season in the Bronx. Unfortunately, that is not likely to happen but due to the struggles I anticipate from Stephen Drew and Brendan Ryan, and Pirela’s versatility, look for him to spend roughly half the season with the Bombers and play pretty well. 

• ROB REFSNYDER (2B/RF)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
54	171	47	.275	4	22
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
13	1	38	17	2	2
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.344	.433	.777	5	4	0.8

As another prospect that is right on the cusp of making the big league squad, I expect Refsnyder to come onto the scene for the Yankees this season. A guy who is a naturally good hitter, his fielding will be a major factor in how much time he sees in the Bigs this season.

• COLE FIGUEROA (2B/3B)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
9	23	3	.130	0	0
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
0	0	4	1	0	0
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.167	.130	.297	0	0	-0.2

There simply isn’t much to say here. I do expect him to appear in a small amount of games for the big league club but with little playing time, it isn’t hard to predict that he will struggle.

3^RD BASEMEN

• CHASE HEADLEY (3B/DH)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
142	496	132	.266	16	63
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
25	0	127	51	2	2
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.336	.413	.749	3	3	4.4

As a guy Yankees fans have anticipated bringing in for years, he’ll see his first full season in Pinstripes in the 2015 season. Headley will hit primarily in the 5/6-hole but should also see time hitting 2^nd in the order. He is statistically one of the most valuable third basemen in the league (according to WAR) and he should be a solid player for the Yankees.

• ALEX RODRIGUEZ (DH/3B/1B)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
129	443	121	.273	19	59
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
22	1	115	58	7	4
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.363	.456	.819	6	3	1.8

Ah, the highly anticipated return of Alex Rodriguez. We cannot set the bar too high for A-Rod, but do not be surprised if he performs slightly above my projections or significantly worse than my projections. He has impressed in the spring and I look for him to be a decent hitter for the Yankees this year.

SHORTSTOP

• DIDI GREGORIUS (SS/2B)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
136	456	112	.246	10	48
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
18	4	103	49	2	1
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.321	.368	.689	9	4	2.7

I am actually very excited about this kid and you should too. With breakout potential written all over him, I look for Gregorius to play solid defensively and improve vastly on offense with the help of Yankee Stadium. If he gets some confidence early on, it could be a good season for Didi.

• BRENDAN RYAN (SS/2B)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
41	126	27	.214	0	5
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
4	0	28	4	0	0
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.239	.246	.485	0	1	-0.2

Brendan Ryan is another guy I do not expect to make it through the season with the team. As a good that provides nothing but solid defense, time is ticking before he is DFA’d in favor of Jose Pirela or Rob Refsnyder. Unless he suddenly improves offensively and stays healthy, his days in Pinstripes are numbered.

• NICK NOONAN (SS/2B/3B)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
19	48	11	.229	1	3
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
1	0	11	3	0	1
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.269	.313	.582	0	0	-0.1

Nick Noonan is a guy I see playing very little in some spots in the season in the event that an injury occurs to an infielder on the team. His versatility will allow him to see some time with the big-league club but don’t expect too much from him.

LEFT FIELD

• BRETT GARDNER (LF/CF)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
146	565	153	.271	10	54
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
27	9	139	59	2	3
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.340	.404	.744	25	6	4.0

Many called Brett Gardner the most pleasantly surprising player of the Yankees 2014 campaign. Although I do not think the power he displayed last season returns, look for Gardy’s  2015 season to be improved as a whole from his 2014 season as he will be a key player this year.

• CHRIS YOUNG (LF/RF/CF)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
74	257	61	.237	12	33
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
15	0	52	29	1	2
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.315	.436	.751	4	2	0.6

Chris Young had some great moments in his fantastic spark he provided off the bench in August/September of 2014. He quickly made a name for himself and although I’d love to see him repeat that, I simply do not see it happening. As a 4^th option outfielder, he will be a solid player, but nothing more than a sub-par outfielder with pop.

CENTER FIELD

• JACOBY ELLSBURY (CF)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
151	583	176	.302	17	72
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
29	6	90	48	2	4
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.355	.460	.815	42	5	4.2

Jacoby Ellsbury was the Yankees best player in 2014 and I look for that to continue onto this season. Additionally, Ellsbury is likely to be the Yankees only All-Star that is not a pitcher. With more protection in the lineup from an improved health standpoint, Ellsbury could very well have a BIG year, all barring he stays healthy.

• SLADE HEATHCOTT (CF/LF/RF)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
11	28	7	.250	1	3
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
1	0	5	2	0	0
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.300	.393	.693	1	0	0.1

Yes! Our friend at the BBB will see a tiny bit amount of time at the major league level this year! Now I may be a bit biased and realistic here, but Healthcott is a guy who’s always had the tools and I am rooting for all the way. He’s likely to play his way back onto the 40-man roster with a good year in AAA Scranton and I would look for him to be a September call-up.

RIGHT FIELD

• CARLOS BELTRAN (RF/DH)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
119	439	113	.257	19	54
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
26	0	77	41	3	4
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.322	.446	.768	2	2	2.8

As much as we all want him to, I do not see Beltran returning to being the player he was in 2013. Coming off an injury-ridden and unsuccessful season, although I think he shows a bit of improvement, it will be nothing drastic. With two more years left on his contract, this may have been a questionable investment for the Yankees.

• RAMON FLORES (RF/LF)

GAMES	AB	HITS	AVG	HR	RBI
29	87	22	.253	1	5
2B	3B	SO	BB	HBP	SF
4	1	10	4	0	1
OBP	SLG	OPS	SB	CS	WAR
.283	.356	.639	0	0	0.5

One final guy we should look to see in the Bronx this season in Ramon Flores. He’s been in the Yankees system for quite some time making him on the verge of being a major league player. I look for him to fill in when injuries occur and give the Yankees some quality playing time in spot starts he should get this season.

Well folks, that wraps up my projections for the 2015 Yankees on a hitter’s stand-point. Part two featuring the pitching will be coming soon. Leave your opinions on my projections/your takes in the comments or tweet them to us @BronxBomberBlog! We are just NINE days away from Opening Day!

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