Yankees Focus on Bunting Ahead of Season

Every time Jose Caballero steps up to bat, he takes a moment to scan the field, catching a glimpse of the third baseman from the corner of his eye.

Caballero, known for his ability to hit effectively with third basemen positioned far back, combines his batting skill with impressive speed.

“I really enjoy bunting,” Caballero remarked recently, marking a notable day for fans who appreciate this technique within the Yankees.

In a somewhat rare occurrence outside of spring training, the Yankees held a batting practice session ahead of their usual formal practice. Alongside Caballero, players like Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Trent Grisham, and Ryan McMahon took turns bunting against a pitching machine. Even Gerrit Cole participated, adding an unexpected twist to the routine.

Expressing a strong interest in bunting—an often overlooked skill that resonates with many fans—appears to be becoming more common. Teams might be looking to entice opposing teams to shift their defenses slightly.

Despite returning nearly the same lineup that dominated home runs last season, the Yankees are committed to mastering this seemingly minor aspect of the game.

“If you review our offense, it’s clear we’re focused on making the most out of every opportunity,” hitting coach James Rowson said after the Yankees’ 7-1 defeat to the Angels. “Ultimately, we want to find the best approach to score and put ourselves in a position to win.”

In their recent series against the Rays, who executed eight bunting plays that momentarily troubled the Yankees’ infield, the use of this tactic was evident.

Rowson noted that while the Rays’ success didn’t trigger Tuesday’s pregame bunting session, it stemmed from the Yankees’ internal discussions on improving their game strategy.

“We need to be consistent with this,” Rowson stated. “Today showcased how the little things can align to give us an edge.”

However, just allowing bunting doesn’t mean the team will rely on it entirely. The Yankees only managed successful bunts three times in their first 17 games. In a recent game, both Chisholm and Caballero attempted but failed to secure hits, while Ryan McMahon’s bunting attempt in the sixth inning resulted in a groundout.

Rowson views bunting—often underutilized—as a skill that warrants more attention and practice throughout the league.

As October approaches, when home runs may be harder to come by, the Yankees might find themselves relying on these smaller plays to generate runs, especially against stronger pitching.

“In certain situations, you might think about bunting to advance a runner or get someone on base, which could enhance our chances of winning,” Rowson explained. “At the end of the day, winning is what matters most.”