Last year third baseman Miguel Andujar and infielder Gleyber Torres were rookies just trying to make the team, this year they are stars, part of the young core trying to take the New York Yankees back to October baseball and beyond.
Andujar was the players’ choice Rookie of the Year in 2018, while Gleyber Torres became an All-Star, and now Yankee fans can’t wait to see what these two can do in their sophomore year.
Last season Andujar sprayed line drives all over the field and became one of the Yankees’ best run producers. He ranked inside the top 10 in both batting and slugging and broke Joe DiMaggio’s rookie mark with 47 doubles. This season Andujar has impressed the Bronx Bombers with his early commitment to improving in the field.
In 2018 Torres joined Andujar to become the first pair of Yankee rookies ever to hit 20 home runs in a season.
Torres presence at the plate and on the field was irreplaceable as the Yankees went 16-1 after Torres was called up and became the first player in the modern era to start his career on the winning side in 16 of his first 17 games.
Furthermore, his 24 home runs were the second most ever by a Yankees player aged 21 or younger, and the third most by a Yankee prior to turning 22.
Andujar was also was one of the Yankees’ most valuable players last season as he finished second in voting for American League Rookie of the Year. In 2018 he led all rookies in hits, doubles, RBIs, extra-base hits and multi-hit games. He also was tied for first in homers and finished second in runs scored and batting average.
For both players, there is no complacency this year as they’re determined to be great and continue to grow as baseball players. Although they began 2018 in the minors Andujar and Torres are two of the main reasons why the Yankees feel they can win it all in 2019.
