By: Nathaniel Ascher
It’s hard to believe that spring training started almost a month ago. We are currently in the full swing of things, and Machado and Harper are finally settling into their new homes. There has been a lot of news lately concerning the AL East, and this article is going to give you the important news so far from the contenders.
Red Sox News:
- 2019 Spring Training Record: 6-11
- Steven Wright was suspended 80 games last Wednesday after testing positive for a PED.
- Dustin Pedroia made his spring debut last Thursday against the Twins, going 1-1 with a single.
- Craig Kimbrel remains unsigned- will the Sox hop back in? Most likely not.
- Sale pitched three innings in a simulated game on Monday and is expected to make his Spring Training debut soon.
- Will they trade Blake Swihart, Christian Vazquez, or Sandy Leon soon?
- After Sunday, in 41 IP, the Red Sox bullpen has given up 36 Earned Runs. This leads us to ask: “Who will be the Closer?”
Notable Stats So Far:
- OF Jackie Bradley Jr. has had a hot start to the spring, batting .353 with tw0 home runs.
- 3B Michael Chavis has opened some eyes with an impressive start to his spring. He is currently batting .273 with four home runs and ten RBI’s.
- 3B Rafael Devers has also had a nice start to the spring. In 23 AB, Devers is batting .478 with one home run and four RBI’s.
- LF Andrew Benintendi is off to a slow start. In 20 spring training at bats, he is batting .200 with no home runs and only one RBI.
- The same can be said about DH J.D. Martinez. He is currently hitting .000 in 13 at bats, with no home runs or RBI’s.
The Red Sox’s slow start this spring may be due to a World Series hangover, so don’t panic yet if you’re a Red Sox fan. The only thing that is worrying, however, is their bullpen, which could easily make or break their 2019 season.
Yankees News:
- 2019 Spring Training Record: 8-6
- Didi Gregorius will be out until at least July with Tommy John.
- SP Luis Severino was shut down for two weeks with right rotator cuff inflammation, and will likely be out for Opening Day.
- SP C.C. Sabathia has said that he will be retiring following the 2019 season. He is also likely to start the season on the injured list, as he is still recovering from knee surgery and angioplasty.
- CF Jacoby Ellsbury is expected to arrive at Yankees camp on March 16th or 17th after undergoing left hip surgery in August.
- SP Jordan Montgomery is eyeing a post all star break return after having Tommy John this past season.
- Greg Bird and Luke Voit are battling for the 1B job, but many people, including Yankees manager Aaron Boone, say that Voit currently has the upper hand.
- Clint Frazier is trying to impress this spring, as he is fighting to make the Opening Day roster.
- With Sabathia and Severino out for Opening Day, Domingo German, Luis Cessa, and Jonathan Loaisiga will be battling it out for the 4th and 5th rotation spots for the rest of spring training. Keep your eye on Luis Cessa, who has looked very sharp so far.
- INF Tyler Wade is hoping to make the Opening Day roster as the utility man.
- CF Aaron Hicks is dealing with lower back tightness, but he received a shot today, and almost definitely will be ready for Opening Day.
Notable Stats So Far:
- 3B Miguel Andujar is batting .375 in 24 AB’s so far this spring.
- 1B Luke Voit is batting .263 with two home runs and five RBI’s in 19 Spring Training at bats.
- INF Tyler Wade is batting .280 with one home run in 25 AB’s so far.
- 2B Gleyber Torres is batting .292 in 24 AB’s with one home run.
- OF Clint Frazier is hitting .160 in 25 AB’s so far this spring.
- SS Troy Tulowitzki is batting .176 so far in 17 AB’s.
- RF Aaron Judge is batting .316 with 3 home runs in 19 AB’s so far.
The Yankees are off to a solid start this spring and will look to stay healthy for the upcoming weeks as Opening Day looms.
Rays News:
- 2019 Spring Training Record: 8-9
- SP Blake Snell looked sharp Monday against the Phillies, pitching two shutout innings with a strikeout to Bryce Harper.
- RF Avisail Garcia looks to impress this spring and win the RF job for Opening Day.
- INF Yandy Diaz hopes to win a starting infield position.
- Rumors have been floating around that the Rays may be interested in CP Craig Kimbrel. Stay tuned.
- Prospects Jesus Sanchez, Brendan McKay, and Brent Honeywell will look to impress this spring and make a case to be a 2019 call up come September.
Notable Stats So Far:
- 2B Brendan Lowe is batting .448 with two homers in 29 AB’s. Watch out for him in 2019, he could surprise some people.
- CF Kevin Kiermaier is batting .320 in 25 AB’s so far.
- RF Avisail Garcia is hitting .350 with three home runs in 20 AB’s.
- C Mike Zunino is batting .280 with two home runs and five RBI’s so far this spring.
- LF Austin Meadows is batting .310 with two home runs in 29 AB’s.
- 1B Ji-Man Choi is hitting .350 in 20 AB’s so far. He could very well be the Rays Opening Day 1B.
- 2B Joey Wendle is batting .259 with two home runs in 27 AB’s so far this spring.
Look for the Rays to contend for an AL Wild Card spot in 2019 and maybe make a surprise push for the AL East crown. This article may knock your Sox off AL East fans.
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