TAMPA — Giancarlo Stanton just played his second game of the spring on Thursday night, so it’s too early to tell whether the changes he made to his body and swing in the offseason will lead to measurable improvements. It was too early.
But the Yankees were encouraged by some early signs, including Stanton starting in right field against the Marlins on Thursday.
Of course, more important than where Stanton plays is how he performs in the batter’s box, but manager Aaron Boone said his early actions on the field are indicative of the 34-year-old’s physical condition. I thought this was another positive sign.
“We know from all the evaluations and everything that he’s in a great spot physically,” Boone said before Stanton played five scoreless innings at Steinbrenner Field. Told. “He’s probably the strongest guy on the team and all that. And he definitely moves better. It’s certainly noticeable to the strength and conditioning staff and training staff, who evaluate that in their first evaluation.
“The fact that he wants to be in there. [the outfield] It’s so early, it’s only February, and he’s already in the outfield. I think those are all good signs of where he is now and how he feels about his body. ”
Stanton went 1-for-2 and singled a 97 mph fastball in the zone from left-hander Ryan Weathers.
The change in his swing wasn’t drastic, Stanton said after the game, just moving his hands “a little closer to his body.”
“I just got my rhythm back,” Stanton said. “The timing is good. That’s good.”
New hitting coach James Rowson suggested it was important for Stanton to feel comfortable in his slightly adjusted batting position.
“He feels good and that’s a big part of it,” Rowson said. “Hitting is mental. He feels dangerous every at-bat. So I think the work he’s done in the offseason is starting to pay off for him early on.”
Stanton is coming off the worst season of his career, hitting .191 with 24 home runs and a .695 OPS in 101 games.
But the Yankees believe Stanton still has the ability to turn things around after making changes in the offseason.
“If he can stay healthy, that’s definitely a possibility,” Boone said. “He has the strength and quickness to get it done.”
For now, progress will have to come in small steps.
Thanks to a leap year, Thursday marked the first time Stanton played in the outfield in February since 2019, but he did play in the outfield in his second lockout-delayed spring camp game of 2022.
But Boone said in his first conversation with Stanton when he arrived at camp this year, the former MVP “felt like he was a little ahead of his time” in terms of getting on the field.
The Yankees don’t need Stanton to be a regular in the outfield, but making him a realistic option could improve the lineup, especially with Aaron Judge expected to need DH days as a break from his center field duties. improves flexibility.
As Boone pointed out, getting lighter in the offseason without sacrificing strength should theoretically make Stanton more mobile in the field and on base.
“First and foremost, if possible [it helps his] I’m healthy,” Boone said. “But definitely being able to move around, being more athletic, having a presence as a base running presence, being a real option on the field, all of those things.”
But for that to matter, Stanton will need physical improvements to carry over to the plate.
“We have some great hitters,” Lawson said. “The back of his baseball card doesn’t lie. Baseball is hard. He’s made adjustments as he’s gotten older, and that’s what good players do. I feel that the situation is good.”
