Could Gio Urshela be Trouble for Miguel Andujar in 2020?
After a heartbreaking season ending injury for third basemen Miguel Andujar, the Yankees were left to think on their feet. Who would replace Andujar? Many thought DJ LeMahieu would fill that spot while Gleyber Torres played second and Troy Tulowitzki played shortstop (replacing Didi Gregorius while on the IL), and for the most part that is how the lineup was set. But true to the 2019 Yankees season, when Tulowitzki went down to the IL, what were the Yankees going to do? Thankfully the Yankees had a man named Gio Urshela!
Urshela is the definition of “Next Man Up”, coming from Triple-A and just
dominating the filed. With 298 at bats, Urshela has a .319 batting average with 14 home runs, 52 runs, 55 RBI’s, an OBP of .363, SLG of .547, and OPS of .910. Not only is his crushing the baseball, but his defensive plays have been astounding! Urshela has a cannon of an arm, and makes difficult plays look routine. “It’s unbelievable,’’ Luke Voit said. “I got over to first and I’m ready for a bad throw and he hits me in the chest. He’s incredible. It’s every day and it’s never a bad throw.”
But let’s not forget, Andujar put up very impressive numbers last season, landing him a second place finish in the AL Rookie of the Year award. Andujar finished his 2018 season with a .297 batting average with 27 home runs, 83 runs, 92 RBI’s, an OBP of .328, SLG of .527, and OPS of .855; almost identical numbers. Some may argue that Andujar’s “sloppy” defensive play will be the difference maker; however, Andujar never really got a chance to show any improvements (playing only 4 games at third base) so it would be unfair at this time to use that against him.
Similar to other positions in the past, for example the first base position between Greg Bird and Luke Voit earlier this year, there is no guarantee on who will have the permanent third base spot. Urshela is having an incredible year, but he will also be 28 come 2020 while Andujar will be 23. It’s possible the Yankees could go for the younger player, or they could go for the potential trade option. Both players have made a very strong case and have boosted their trade value, so we could potentially see GM Brian Cashman make a move with one of these guys. In the end, it will be another battle come Spring Training in 2020 and another tough decision for the Yankees to make.
