Yankees regular season in review: Player grades ahead of ALDS clash

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This season had its share of ups and downs, but the Yankees ultimately clinched the AL East title with a 98-68 record, finishing three and a half games ahead of their division rivals. Aaron Judge put up another MVP-caliber campaign, while Juan Soto provided a consistent presence in the lineup. Despite some pitching woes, the Yankees reached their high-water mark and are set to enter the ALDS with momentum.

The Yankees closed the season with 15 wins in their last 26 games, offering a mix of promise and areas for improvement as they head into the postseason. With the ALDS on Saturday, we take a look at how each player performed throughout the regular season and where the Yankees stand as they prepare for their next challenge. Here are the grades.

Grading the Yankees roster

Aaron Judge: A+

At Yankee Stadium, the crowd passionately chanted “M-V-P!” every time Aaron Judge stepped up to bat, and for good reason. As of this publication, Judge has hit 58 home runs, finishing the season just four shy of his personal best. He led the league in WAR, and his OPS currently stands at an impressive 1.159. Overall, his performance outshined Shohei Ohtani, the frontrunner for the NL MVP, which could have a significant impact on the Yankees’ postseason aspirations.

Juan Soto: A

Juan Soto has been the on-base machine and essential lineup presence the Yankees desperately needed in front of Judge. With 41 home runs to his name, Soto’s overall season has been strong; however, he has only managed to hit four home runs in the last month, raising some concerns compared to his explosive start. Despite this dip, Soto remains a vital player to watch as the season progresses.

Giancarlo Stanton: B

Giancarlo Stanton struggled last season with the Yankees, but this year he had the opportunity to come close to reaching the top 50 on the all-time MLB home run list and proved crucial to the team’s success.

Ben Rice: B

Ben Rice is learning on the job at first base but already looks comfortable as a big-league hitter. He has a future with the Yankees, though not necessarily as a starter. Eventually, he will be an important contributor.

Alex Verdugo: B-

Alex Verdugo’s production for the Yankees has dipped since midseason, but there have been bright spots—like his key run against the Red Sox in Boston, complete with an animated celebration. Statistically, he remains their top choice in left field, despite recent struggles.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.: B+

It’s encouraging that since Jazz Chisholm’s arrival, the Yankees have seen significant improvement. His ambition to make history with the team is evident every time he takes the field. Despite joining midseason, Chisholm hit 24 home runs, 11 of which came after becoming a Yankee.

Jasson Dominguez: E

Jasson Dominguez spent most of the time off the roster, so this grade may seem harsh to some. With Alex Verdugo’s slumps, Dominguez became a viable option to be tested in the majors, but his performance was not impressive.

Luis Gil: B

Luis Gil has emerged as one of the most promising AL pitchers, making a strong case for Rookie of the Year honors. Up until midseason, there was considerable support from journalists suggesting that Gil should have made the All-Star team. However, his performance in the final month wasn’t as impressive as anticipated. Over the last 30 days, Gil posted a record of 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and allowed 104 hits. His most recent stretch of seven games has been less encouraging, with a 3-2 record, a 5.03 ERA, and 31 hits allowed. This decline aligns with the argument made by some fans that he may not deserve the Rookie of the Year title.

Luke Weaver: B+

Ultimately, Luke Weaver had his share of impactful moments, though his overall performance didn’t quite reach an A-grade level. However, he has shown potential as a closer, possibly even surpassing Clay Holmes in that role for the Yankees. Now a decade removed from being a first-round pick of the Cardinals out of Florida State, the 31-year-old seems to have found his niche. Weaver wrapped up the regular season with a 2.89 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 84 innings.

Clarke Schmidt: B

Clarke Schmidt enjoyed mostly solid starts this season, with only a few shorter outings, before landing on the IL with a strained lat. Despite that setback, he remained an important part of the rotation, and there’s a chance he could start in Game 3 of the ALDS.

Tommy Kahnle: C

Activated from the IL on May 22 (shoulder), he faced some early struggles but eventually regained his spot in the bullpen’s Circle of Trust. However, his season as a whole was far from ideal, capped off by a disastrous outing in his final game against the Pirates.

Clay Holmes: F

Undoubtedly the weakest name on the roster, Clay Holmes gave up too much and blew over 13 saves—clear signs of his failure as a closer. Despite this, Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman stood by him, keeping him on the team. However, with Luke Weaver emerging as a potential replacement, there was a bittersweet sense of hope for Yankees fans by season’s end.

Marcus Stroman: B

Until midseason, Marcus Stroman was a steady presence and a positive influence on his rotation mates. However, he has since become a nightmare for Yankees fans due to his poor outings. Although he has previously shown comfort playing in the Bronx, he didn’t demonstrate it on the mound

Nestor Cortes: E

One of the worst performers on the roster, Nestor Cortes likely won’t continue with the Yankees next season.

Anthony Volpe: B

Anthony Volpe had a great start but a less impressive ending, which led to this grade.

Carlos Rodon: D

Carlos Rodon finished the season with a disappointing ERA compared to the strong start he had early on. His numbers are comparable to last season, but he now has a chance to play in his first postseason with the Yankees.

Austin Wells: A

Despite a rough start, Austin Wells had the opportunity to make history with the Yankees. He is seen as one of the favorites to win the American League Rookie of the Year award.

Jose Trevino: C

Jose Trevino fell behind Austin Wells, who, in his rookie season, showed he could be the catcher for the coming years. Trevino is an okay backup, but as a starter, he is not as good as Wells.

Trent Grisham: B-

In the end, Trent Grisham had very few starts, but in those limited opportunities, he showed promise. He may not deserve an A, but he doesn’t deserve a C either. Honestly, it might not be fair to grade him because Grisham was excellent when given the chance.

Oswaldo Cabrera: B-

Oswaldo Cabrera started off strong but ended the season getting fewer opportunities than he deserved, possibly due to overconfidence in Alex Verdugo, who wasn’t playing well.

Anthony Rizzo: B

Anthony Rizzo’s season wasn’t necessarily poor, but multiple stints on the IL certainly took their toll. Some point to his age as a factor in those struggles. Despite missing out on the postseason because of a fractured finger, Rizzo can still take pride in ending the year on a positive note.

Gleyber Torres: C-

Overall, Gleyber Torres had an underwhelming season, but his strong performance in the final month made up for the rough stretches he faced earlier, earning him a C-minus grade.

Ian Hamilton: D

Ian Hamilton didn’t have a great season. He struggled with injuries that could have cost him a successful year.

DJ LeMahieu: D-

DJ LeMahieu spent time on the IL this season, but his name has become a source of dread for Yankees fans every time he appeared, and not without reason — it was due to his terrible season.

Evaluating Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman’s season

Manager – Aaron Boone: B-

The Yankees ultimately clinched everything, but the feeling remains that Aaron Boone could have done better. His stubborn decision to stick with Clay Holmes at times instead of exploring other options was a major drawback.

GM Brian Cashman: C+

Brian Cashman is not considered one of the best, but his major signings of Jazz Chisholm and Juan Soto were superb. However, the acquisitions of Alex Verdugo and Marcus Stroman initially seemed good but didn’t turn out as well. Additionally, players like J.D. Davis and Michael Tokins were brought in only to be released a few months later, highlighting some of Cashman’s poor decision-making.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

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