New York Yankees: Predicting the Opening Day Roster
By Sean Dyer
Starting Lineup/Batting Order
- LF Brett Gardner
- RF Aaron Judge
- DH Giancarlo Stanton
- SS Didi Gregorius
- C Gary Sanchez
- 1B Greg Bird
- 3B Brandon Drury
- CF Aaron Hicks
- 2B Tyler Wade
There shouldn’t be too many surprises here. After trading away Starlin Castro and Chase Headley, it looked like prospects Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar would man second and third base, respectively. The acquisition of Brandon Drury meant one of the rookies would likely start the season in the minors and signing Neil Walker pretty much ended both prospects’ hopes of starting the year in the big leagues.
Although he was the Diamondbacks starting second baseman last year, the Yankees believe Drury is best at third base. They also believe in Tyler Wade offensively, defensively, and on the bases. Wade has had a strong spring and he should be rewarded with the starting second baseman job.
Despite a rough spring, Greg Bird won’t lose his starting first base job. Everyone else in this lineup is pretty much expected, position wise. Gary Sanchez is one of the league’s top catchers. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton should hit a million home runs in the middle of the Yankees order. Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks should cover a ton of ground in the outfield and provide solid on-base percentages and some pop.
Aaron Boone has talked about using a lefty to break up Judge, Stanton, and Sanchez in the Yankees lineup. Many expected that to be Bird, but Didi Gregorius deserves to retain his cleanup spot from the 2017 postseason. Didi is a good contact hitter to stick in between all of the power. He also has plenty of power himself with 25 home runs last year, a Yankees record for a shortstop.