Who is Taylor Trammell, Yankees’ acquisition a day before their series against Rays?

The New York Yankees addressed their need for bench depth on April 18 by claiming outfielder Taylor Trammell off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. This move comes at the expense of infielder Kevin Smith, who was designated for assignment in a corresponding transaction.

Earlier today, the Yankees claimed OF Taylor Trammell off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees have designated INF Kevin Smith for assignment.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 18, 2024

Meanwhile, Smith, a 27-year-old infielder, saw minimal playing time with the Yankees since his call-up from Triple-A on April 13th. He made just one pinch-hitting appearance for the team.

The Yankees return home to face the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night, aiming to build momentum after a mixed road trip. They secured two wins out of three against the Cleveland Guardians but dropped two out of three against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Who is Taylor Trammell?

Taylor Trammell, a 26-year-old player, brings a physical presence to the Yankees‘ bench, standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 220 pounds. While his initial stint with the Dodgers this year yielded limited results (0 hits in 6 at-bats), the left-handed hitter has experience across four major league seasons (2021-2024) with the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers. Over 357 career plate appearances, he’s compiled a .165 batting average with 15 home runs and 39 RBIs.

Drafted 35th overall by the Cincinnati Reds in 2016, Taylor Trammell has seen his career navigate through several trades. He was part of a three-team deal in July 2019 before being sent to the Mariners by the San Diego Padres in August 2020.

Yankees gamble on Taylor Trammell

Taylor-Trammell-new-york-yankees — instagram-tay_tram5

The New York Yankees acquired outfielder Taylor Trammell on Thursday, hoping to unlock the potential that made him a highly touted prospect. According to MLB Trade Rumors, his major league career hasn’t lived up to the early hype. In 357 plate appearances spread across four seasons, Taylor Trammell has compiled a modest .165/.266/.361 batting line, striking out at a concerning 37.3% clip. While his 10.9% walk rate shows promise, he hasn’t consistently translated his minor league success to the big leagues. This lack of consistent performance led to both the Mariners and Dodgers designating him for assignment recently, as he’s also out of minor league options.

However, there’s a glimmer of hope. Taylor Trammell boasts impressive numbers in Triple-A since 2021. Across 812 plate appearances, he’s displayed power and on-base skills, with a .274/.381/.506 batting line (translating to a 116 wRC+, meaning he was 16% better than the league average). He also launched 38 home runs and stole 33 bases in 40 attempts, showcasing his well-rounded skillset. It’s important to note these statistics come from the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, but they still demonstrate Trammell’s potential.

The Yankees are taking a chance on Taylor Trammell, hoping a change of scenery and a fresh start in pinstripes can unlock his long-awaited major league success. However, some analysts might question the roster fit, considering the team’s current composition.

At 26 years old, Taylor Trammell brings power and speed to the Yankees’ bench, qualities he displayed in the minors. The challenge lies in translating that success to the big leagues consistently. Until DJ LeMahieu returns from injury, Trammell will provide depth alongside outfielder Trent Grisham and utility player Jahmai Jones.

This move does leave the Yankees without a dedicated backup shortstop. Oswaldo Cabrera, who can fill that role, is currently starting at third base, and Jones would only be considered a shortstop option in emergencies. The Yankees will need to find creative solutions to address this potential defensive gap.

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