The buzz about the Yankees swirls around acquiring lefty-slugger Joey Gallo, but they’re also making internal moves to improve the team.
During a season, the Yankees have typically looked outside their organization to improve their team. This year is no different, except there’s a wrinkle added that hopefully signals the rebirth of attention on their minor league system.
Today, the Yankees announced they had purchased the contract of Trey Amburgey from Triple-A Scranton. Amburgey is a centerfielder who can relieve some of the burdens from Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner, both of whom have been forced to play out of position due to injuries.
The always on-point Rotowire provides this summary of what the Yankees are getting:
“The Yankees have gotten minimal production from outfielders not named Aaron Judge this season, so they’ll throw Amburgey into the mix and see if he can outperform the team’s struggling incumbents.
Amburgey isn’t a particularly exciting prospect, as you might expect from a player who’s getting his first call-up at age 26, but his .312/.379/.582 slash line in 38 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season is certainly good enough to earn him a look.
Exactly where he factors into the outfield mix should become clear over the next few days. Still, the Yankees have plenty of at-bats available in the outfield at the moment, with both Miguel Andujar (wrist) and Clint Frazier (illness) sidelined. Hence, it’s likely he earns some opportunities right away.”
While the “look” the Yankees are giving in looking to young players like Amburgey and the enthusiasm he is likely to bring to the team, it has to be pointed out that he is a right-handed batter in an already overloaded lineup of righties.
Righty/Lefty, what’s the difference, though, if you can hit major league pitching?
Besides, it appears the Yankees have done their homework as a check from Baseball-Reference on Amburgey’s stats facing right-handed pitching shows he’s more than capable.
In 100 plate appearances this year against righties, he has four home runs and 23 RBI, with Slugging and OPS numbers that rise above the major league average today.
Much like the addition of Tim Locastro, Amburgey’s speed (76 stolen bases in the minors) will help add a much-needed dimension to the Yankees’ team.
From this point forward, the ball is handed to Yankees manager Aaron Boone and his coaching staff to ensure Amburgey’s “break-in” to the majors goes as smoothly as possible, and for that, it wouldn’t hurt to turn matters over to Brett Gardner as a mentor.
The New York Yankees announced they are moving their top prospect up to Low Class-A in another move. Outfielder Jasson Dominguez, who played in the Futures Game at Coors Field on Sunday, is promoted from rookie ball to Low-A.
For an 18-year-old, this is considered a major midseason jump, but again it’s the Yankees saying, let’s get on with what we got – teach ’em how to play and reward them when they do.
Naysayers will immediately cry. Dominguez’s promotion is only hyping from the Yankees to defray attention from their 2021 season to date.
Yankees” Let ‘Em Rip
I say no. When you believe you have a stud, treat him like a stud. Keep the heat on him while standing by to provide him with the tools he’ll need when he gets to The Show.
Did the Blue Jays pull the reins on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (no comparison intended here) plodding him along in their minor league system?
Hell no, and they are being rewarded now for telling Vlad, “You go, young man.”
In sum, then, I like both of these moves by the Yankees, a team that needs a makeover in a league where no one is jumping at the chance to give up young and talented players.
Now, However, To The Real Business Of Today
It’s the Boston Red Sox for four games at Yankee Stadium, beginning tonight with ESPN’s national telecast.
After some mystery about Boone’s designee as a starter, Domingo German (4-5, 4.44) gets the call against Eduardo Rodriguez (6-5, 5.52).
On the back of two sweeps by the Sox this season, the series remains the easiest way for the Yankees to gain ground in the AL East Standings.
Jordan Montgomery will start Friday’s game, Gerrit Cole Saturday, and Jameson Taillon will pitch the Sunday night game, an ESPN telecast.
Does Aaron Boone throw Trey Amburgey immediately into the fray? We’ll know soon…
Author’s Postscript: 7:10 PM ET 7/15/21
Tonight’s game has been postponed because of positive COVID-19 tests among New York pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes Jr., and Wandy Peralta.
According to ESPN, Aaron Judge, Kyle Higashioka and Gio Urshela are also in COVID-19 protocols, sources told ESPN’s Buster Olney.
Obviously, more to follow tomorrow…
Here’s What Readers Are Saying…
William Shemanski Hoy Park has just been called up
Mitch Bondo Bandalan I love all the moves as well. The 2 call-ups (Ambrurey and Park) to me is to determine what they have MLB ready in the event they want to make some trades come July 30th. I am very interested to see what Park brings.
Mark Gardner Just what we need, Gallo .213 career….40 percent k rate..,
Bruce Sadler (Gallo) 40 hrs and 250 strikeouts he should fit right in with the Yankees this year. All or nothing. They need to acquire hitters not swing and miss or swing and its a homerun
Michael Sarno What took them so long to wake up and realize they needed help. They need to make these moves to see if this is major league talent or they need more time. And give them a real chance. Not this 2 game trial and back to the minors. We need to get back to homegrown like the Core Four. 
Ralph Sebastian Munchez Jr. About time
Michael Chieco He is a LF but he has occasionally played center in the minors …..The Yankees have had a lack of production from their left fielders this season, but Amburgey will now provide another corner outfield option while Clint Frazier (dizziness) and Miguel Andujar (left wrist strain) are on the injured list.
Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all holes, or games, are created equal.
