TAMPA — The gamers competing to be the Yankees’ beginning left fielder held their very own dwelling run derby on Saturday, with virtually the entire candidates getting concerned.
Aaron Hicks, Willie Calhoun, Oswaldo Cabrera and Rafael Ortega every belted dwelling runs throughout the Yankees’ 14-10 loss to the Rays at Steinbrenner Area, whereas Estevan Florial added the hardest-hit ball of the day, a 108.1 mph line-drive single up the center to prime it off.
“It’s good to see these guys performing and taking part in properly and preserving themselves within the combine, for certain,” supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned.
Requested just lately if left subject was Hicks’ job to lose, Boone was noncommittal, however the veteran outfielder seems set on ensuring he wins it.
“I simply gotta have a great spring coaching,” Hicks mentioned after going 1-for-2 with the 404-foot dwelling run off Rays minor league right-hander Evan McKendry.
“Have a great spring coaching, play stable protection and just about make it to some extent the place I’m in there each single day and we by no means have to speak about this once more,” Hicks added with amusing, referring to the left-field battle.
Hicks has been inspired within the early going by how he feels on the plate after he made an offseason adjustment to boost his arms greater in his batting stance. The tweak has allowed him to be shorter to the ball, with extra time to see pitches earlier than making a choice to swing.
“Having the ability to regulate to pitches lots higher than I’ve up to now,” mentioned Hicks, now batting 3-for-10 by means of 4 video games. “So issues are undoubtedly beginning to really feel good, beginning to click on.”
Ortega’s dwelling run was his second in as many video games, whereas Calhoun improved to hitting 6-for-11 by means of 5 video games. Each are left-handed hitting, non-roster invitees.
Luis Severino made his second begin of the spring, constructing his pitch depend to 49 whereas giving up three runs on two hits — each dwelling runs — and a stroll over 2 ²/₃ innings.
Six of his eight outs got here through the strikeout and he was happy with how his slider improved from his first outing.
“Simply labored a little bit bit extra within the bullpen on it,” he mentioned. “It bought actually good truly. The form was good, location was good.
“I feel for me, it was a very constructive outing.”
Aaron Decide took fly balls in left subject Saturday morning, a part of his preparation for enjoying a sport there subsequent week — probably on Wednesday or Thursday.
Boone has mentioned he’ll get Decide time in left subject this spring as a way to give the Yankees the choice of taking part in him there and utilizing Giancarlo Stanton in proper subject every now and then at Yankee Stadium.
