Owing to an underwhelming season, the New York Yankees opted to launch a youth moment at the last stretch. At this moment, high-end minor league prospects will be given a chance to showcase their talent in the big leagues. Moreover, all the promoted prospects would receive plenty of play time as the regular season enters its finals stretch.
Following into the youth moment, catcher Austin Wells and outfielder Jasson Dominguez received a promotion last week. Prior to them, Everson Pereira and Oswald Peraza also claimed a roster spot each. These four prospects have been playing regularly since then, which has directly reduced the game time of notable veterans. Will it plant a sense of insecurity among the sidelined?
Kyle Higashioka Not Worried About Future Amid Yankees Youth Movement!
No.8 prospect of the New York Yankees farm system, catcher Austin Wells made his debut against the Astros last week. Since then, the regular catcher of the team, Kyle Higashioka, has not started in a single game. Apparently, the catcher has been informed by the manager, Aaron Boone, that his game time will witness a steep decline in the last stretch. Meanwhile, Kyle, who has been a part of the franchise since 2008, is taking it sportingly. “Everybody wants to play, but I think I’ve always just been in the mode of whatever helps the team win,” said Higashioka. The catcher remains in his seventh MLB season and had served the Yanks for 10 years in the minor league. He is undoubtedly the longest-tenured Yankee among the current batch.
But now, Kyle Higashioka’s future is hanging in the balance. The catcher will enter his final season of arbitration with team control. Since the Yankees are witnessing a logjam in the position, it is possible for Higashioka to lose his spot in 2024. However, the uncertainties do not seem to bother the 33-year-old. He said that a catcher’s job is already stressful, and he does not mean to add to it by being at odds with his own teammates. For now, Kyle wishes to go with the flow and be ready to accept whatever happens at the end of the year. Living in the moment is Higashioka’s motto, and he will certainly not worry about things out of his control. Having said that, Kyle Higashioka is being assigned as a mentor to Austin Wells to shape him for the future.
Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez Loose Rotation Spot As King Shines In New Role
While the New York Yankees kicked off a youth induction movement in the lineup, it has failed to reach the rotation. Last weekend, the team moved right-hander Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez to the bullpen role. While Vasquez relieved Carlos Rodon on Friday, Brito came behind Luis Severino to pitch three scoreless innings.
While both right-handers have been good with the ball this season, their rotation spot is being secured by Michael King. He started the season as a reliever. But was tested as an opener in the last few weeks. It seems the Yankees are happy with his progress, as he made a start on Sunday in the series finale vs. the Astros. King aced his start by leaking mere a run in five innings.