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Another week down, and another week closer to Opening Day. The Yankees’ position player group did not change all that much from the past week, as the only hitters included in the most recent round of cuts were organizational catchers Kellin Deglan, Jorge Saez, and Francisco Diaz. More exits will surely come soon, but the status quo mostly remained the same.
So we only really have the games to go on in terms of progress toward the Opening Day roster. Jason had the pitching update earlier today. Here’s the key and the table:
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Most of the prospects who got off to hot starts have slowed down a little bit, most notably Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar, and Billy McKinney. Gleyber Torres keeps on raking though, and he seems like he should have a good chance to win the James P. Dawson Award for the best Yankees rookie at spring training. It doesn’t really mean anything in terms of how he’ll fare in 2017, but it’s clear that the kid is special and winning the 2016 AFL MVP was no fluke.
Rob Refsnyder is not doing himself any favors. The best part of his game is supposed to be his bat, and he is just not hitting at all. So unless someone gets hurt, it appears most likely that he will begin 2017 back in Triple-A. It wouldn’t be a shocker to see him traded shortly before Opening Day, either, if the team looks to clear room on the 40-man roster. It just doesn’t seem like Refsnyder has much of a future with all the talented infielders in the minors and majors around him; so it goes.
Everything else seems pretty much set, barring injury. No one else capable of covering shortstop is really pushing Ronald Torreyes for the last spot on the roster. Greg Bird and Austin Romine are both totally fine and ready for Opening Day. Aaron Judge struck out a bit more this week but should still be a constant in right field. Mason Williams seems to be ready to return to the lineup tomorrow, but he will surelyn begin the year in Triple-A too as outfield depth.
Who are you keeping a close eye on in Yankees camp?