TAMPA — Sidelined by a sore again for just a few days, Paul Goldschmidt returned to the Yankees’ lineup on Saturday.
The primary baseman did so in an unfamiliar position, as Aaron Boone requested Goldschmidt to leadoff towards the Phillies and left-hander Jesús Luzardo. Whereas the lefty-swinging Austin Wells has been crushing it because the Yankees’ go-to leadoff man this spring, don’t be stunned if the righty-swinging Goldschmidt will get extra probabilities to bat first towards southpaws this coming season.
“I guess the opportunity hadn’t come up till now, so we’ll do it. I don’t think it’ll be too different,” Goldschmidt mentioned earlier than the sport. “Every manager I’ve had, I’ve just said I’ll do whatever you guys need me to do. So when [Boone] asked me early in spring, I said, ‘I’ll hit wherever.’”
Requested why he hadn’t hit first till Saturday, Goldschmidt joked, “Maybe because Wells has been hitting .500 it seems like.”
An MVP with the Cardinals in 2022, Goldschmidt is coming off the worst yr of his profession. Nevertheless, the brand new Yankee has a .381 OBP for his profession, and Boone has mentioned that getting on is the talent he values most within the leadoff spot.
Even by means of his struggles final season, Goldschmidt additionally remained a risk towards lefties, posting an .839 OPS towards them.
Goldschmidt has primarily hit second, third and fourth all through his 14-year profession. The 37-year-old has by no means led off as an enormous leaguer in actual video games, however that might change quickly.
“I’m sure I have,” Goldschmidt mentioned of main off at any level in his life. “Obviously, it’s been a while. I’m sure before my professional career, maybe in the minors or something, but I’ve led off plenty of innings. It’s just that first at-bat, which sometimes can be a little different, but I’ve hit second plenty and done it, so it’ll be fun.”
