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New York Yankees: Rob Refsnyder Has Chance to Shine

By Nick Ziegler

Jun 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Rob Refsnyder (38) stretches for the ball for the force out of Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (not pictured) during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Rob Refsnyder (38) stretches for the ball for the force out of Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (not pictured) during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Yankees are thin at first base after the recent knee injury to Mark Teixeira, but his injury will give a young player an opportunity to shine.

Coming into the season, there was a big concern about whether or not Mark Teixeira would be able to stay healthy for the New York Yankees this season. In 2015, Teixeira was having an MVP-caliber season, but unfortunately missed a good chunk of the end of the season due to injury.

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In his absence, Greg Bird filled in admirably for him and gave the Yankees hope at the position for the future. With Teixeira being in his final season under contract with the Yankees, the plan was to make sure that Bird would be able to take over at first base when Teixeria left in free agency.

Before the season started Bird suffered a shoulder injury which required surgery and ended his season. In addition to stunting the development of Bird, the season-ending injury also left the Yankees very vulnerable if Teixeira was injured. That vulnerability has become a reality for the Yankees, as Teixeira is injured once again, and the Yankees have been left scrambling to replace him at first base.

Despite having fan-favorite Nick Swisher in their minor league system, the Yankees have called up Chris Parmelee for some depth at first base, but it will be Rob Refsnyder getting a chance to prove himself at the position. Refsnyder has been bouncing around positions trying to find playing time with the Yankees, but he will look to carve out a spot at first base with Teixeira on the DL.

This season, Refsnyder has totaled a .294 batting average with four RBIs in six games, as he is continuing his good hitting from last season. Refsnyder batted over .300 for the Yankees last season as he has proven he can hit in a small sample size in the majors. The really question has been what kind of player he will be on defense. With limited options, Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi will be using him at first base.

"“For right now my plans are to use (Refsnyder) and Parmelee,” Girardi said to Randy Miller of NJ.com. “I could use Romine one day if I needed to, but we’ll see what Ref can do.”"

Refsnyder made his first start at first base on Saturday night, and he will be given the opportunity to shine at the position. With the offense struggling, Refsnyder’s bat is important in the lineup, and if he can field half way decent, the Yankees will have hit the jackpot.

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Hopefully, the Yankees are patient with Refsnyder at first base, as he has the potential to be a great hitter in the majors but he does need a chance to find a position to call home. The injury to Teixeira is Refsnyder’s opportunity to shine. Now, let’s see what he can do with it.

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