Oswaldo Cabrera has the best chance of getting the starting position. But Estevan Florial, who was once the Yankees’ top prospect, could find a place in the left field. Following Benintendi’s Chicago move, the left field remains open. The New York Yankees prospect could get a chance to play in the outfield.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Yankees can’t send him to the minor league anymore without a waiver. Mike Rosenstein of NJ Advance Media, Estevan Florial can be an “entertaining regular” if the Yankees include him to their MLB roster.
Estevan Florial has been in the Major Leagues for parts of three seasons but got 63 at-bats. The left-handed batter hasn’t done well for the Yankees yet. He’s hit .185/.302/.278 so far.
Since Estevan Florial can no longer play in the minor leagues, so he will have to fight for playing time in the big leagues during Spring Training. Unless they make a trade, the Yankees don’t have any free-agent options for the left field. However, they can fall back on their internal options, which also include Aaron Hicks and IKF. The Yankees recently signed Willie Calhoun for spring training and Rafael Ortega as an extra player. But both of them are not on the roster.
In the last three seasons, Estevan Florial, who is 25 years old, has played in 29 games for the Yankees and hit .185 with one home run. When he was called up to the big leagues, it was a mixed bag because he had been so good at Triple-A Scranton. In 2022, he played 101 games for Scranton. Estevan Florial hit .283, had an on-base percentage of .368, hit 15 home runs, drove in 46 runs, and stole 39 bases. Most people will look at those stats and see a good player who can make a difference at the next level, but for the 25-year-old prospect, it’s now or never.
Estevan Florial needs to focus on key things
His problem is that he strikes out a lot and chases the ball far too often. Last year in Triple-A, Estevan Florial struck out 30.4% of the time and walked 11.7% of the time. If he can be more patient at the plate, he could be the left-handed hitter with elite athleticism that the Yankees want and need in left field.
Also, Estevan Florial is easy to spot. But he always has a high swinging strike rate, good batting discipline, and a knack to get strikes. These things add up to a strikeout rate of more than 30%. Since he hasn’t shown he can make good contact yet, his future as a regular in the Major League depends on him getting better. But Estevan Florial has easy double-plus speed and enough raw power to become an entertaining regular. Even if Florial stays a supporting player, his speed fits well with the new rules about stealing bases. Even though the New York outfield is already pretty full, Florial could be useful as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.
The former top prospect is a good defender, with good range and a strong arm. Estevan Florial is good at stealing bases, and since the bases will be bigger in 2023, his success in this area will only get better.
Even if Estevan Florial stays a supporting player, his speed fits well with the new rules about stealing bases. Even though the Yankees’ outfield is already pretty full, he could be useful as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.
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