Yankees scouting report for 2022 season

Middle infielders

Gleyber Torres looked far better at the plate late in the 2021 season after the Yankees shifted him back to second base from shortstop, where he committed a team-high 18 errors. It is not a make-or-break season for Torres, who is still just 25, but another subpar season at the plate and in the field could have the Yankees, whose minor league system is stocked with promising middle infielders, ready to move on. New shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa is a slick fielder who has shown spurts of offensive potential. Rival scouts have remaining questions about the 27-year-old’s bat, but there are few doubts about his defense.

GRADE: B-

Corner infielders

Josh Donaldson, though not at flashy at third as Gio Urshela, is still a solid and at times spectacular defender and the 36-year-old is Urshela’s superior at the plate. There have been past injury issues and the uber-intense Donaldson hasn’t always been the most popular player in past clubhouses he’s been in. After failing to wrest Matt Olson, their top choice for first base, this winter via trade from Oakland, the Yankees brought back veteran Anthony Rizzo, who provided an immediate defensive upgrade at the position last season after he came via trade from the Cubs and also gave the lineup a much-needed lefty bat.

GRADE: B

Outfield

From left to right, it’s Joey Gallo, Aaron Hicks and Aaron Judge, a trio that, if healthy, gives the Yankees a terrific defensive alignment. Gallo is who he is as a feast-or-famine hitter and the switch-hitting Hicks will always have durability questions until he shows he can avoid injury. Judge, in seasons when he’s been able to stay on the field – such as in 2021 – is an AL MVP candidate.  

GRADE: B+

Catchers

Kyle Higashioka, now 31 and a part of the organization since being drafted in 2008, finally will get his chance to be the starting catcher and become the player that some in the organization have thought he could be for years. No one has ever questioned Higashioka’s defense, but his bat is another matter. Results in spring training were promising. Backup Ben Rortvedt, part of the Gary Sanchez trade with the Twins, will start the season on the injured list with a right oblique strain so the Yankees acquired Jose Trevino just before camp ended to fill that role. This is the position, by far, that elicited the most concern among rival scouts.

GRADE C-

DH/bench

With Torres set to start at second, DJ LeMahieu, a three-time Gold Glove winner at the position, was poised to enter the season as a utility player. Though best at second, where he will still get some time, LeMahieu can capably fill in –which he will – at third and first. Giancarlo Stanton should see more time in the outfield than he has in recent years, but his primary role will still be as the DH. Marwin Gonzalez swung the bat well after signing a minor league deal and looked like a lock to make the club as a reserve.

GRADE: B+

Bullpen

There may be better closers in the game than Aroldis Chapman, but, despite some of his high-profile postseason meltdowns, the list is a short one. Behind the 34-year-old Chapman is an assortment of arms, each coming at the opposition with different arm angles and stuff. Among them: righties Jonathan Loaisiga, Chad Green, Clay Holmes and Mike King — a swingman — and lefties Wandy Peralta and Lucas Luetge. The Yankees added an arm late in camp, dealing lefty Joely Rodriguez to the Mets in exchange for hard-throwing righty Miguel Castro, who can be brilliant but also maddeningly inconsistent. The group overall looks good, but one cautionary note: General manager Brian Cashman often says “bullpens are volatile,” a go-to saying because of the massive fluctuations that can take place year to year when it comes to performance.

GRADE: A-