New York Yankees 2026 Season Preview
Jul 27, 2016 11:56:52 GMT -5
Anthony_TwinsGM, Jeremiah:OriolesGM, and 2 more like this
Post by mikejk on Jul 27, 2016 11:56:52 GMT -5
NEW YORK- I wouldn’t say that the 2025 New York Yankees were a disappointment, but they certainly weren’t a very good team. Odds are that the 2026 version of the team won’t be all that successful either, but this year’s even younger squad should take a step forward.
In the lineup alone, eight out of nine projected starters are 26 years old or younger. Here’s what it’s looking like:
Catcher, Dennis Caldwell: Acquired in a big trade over the offseason, although still 25, Caldwell brings a another proven bat to a lineup full of players who are still coming into their own.
First Base, Tony Zambrano: Acquired last offseason, Zambrano in his first full season provided a power threat and by the end of the year claimed the cleanup spot in the lineup. All eyes on the Yankees this year will be looking to see if Zambrano can take another leap in his development by getting on base at a higher clip.
Second Base, Jorge Valdes: An excellent defensive second baseman, if Valdes can even be an about average hitter this season, he’ll be worth his spot in the lineup. If he’s better than that, he could be an important piece for the team.
Third Base, Josh MacGruder: Although it’s been rumored that GM Mike Keeley is still looking for other options in free agency and the trade market, right now the presumptive starter is Josh MacGruder. Team officials are skeptical at this point whether his bat will ever develop, which is why they’re exploring possible replacements, but at least in the interim he provides above-average defense at the hot corner.
Shortstop, Mike Morris: The one over-30 player in the lineup, Morris is the reigning AL Gold Glove winner who was by far the team’s MVP. Although over 30, he doesn’t look like he’s lost a step in the offseason and is looking to repeat his performance.
Left Field, Henrik Tippold: Although entering his fifth season in the majors Tippold is still only 23, and with the Tippold-in-Center experiment firmly over, he’s primed for a breakout year in left where he’s a defensive wizard. If he hits righties and plays plus defense, he’ll play every day.
Center Field, Salvador Martinez: A dynamic five-tool player when healthy, staying on the field is they key for Martinez. His health is vital to the Yankees, as he is by far their most talented center fielder. If he goes down in the middle of the season, they will be forced to rely on journeymen Mike Jewell and Tim Anderson.
Right Field, Tim Phipps: The best young player on the team, Phipps is still only 23, but has already put together two solid major league seasons. Those inside the organization expect him to take another substantial leap forward this season, with his performance this year resembling what they expect to see for years to come.
Designated Hitter, Ray Hopps: Like Tony Zambrano, Hopps showed considerable power last season with a .440 slugging percentage, he just needs to get on base more to make himself into a more rounded player. New York talent evaluators seem to believe that he has made improvements in his approach, and will continue to improve throughout the season.
On the hill, 2026 sees the debut of two of the Yankees’ most promising young pitchers, the fireballing Ron Jackson, and the extra-fireballing Blair Wilh. Both were members of New York’s 2024 draft class, picked 23rd and 10th respectively. Here is the layout o the entire rotation:
RHP Cesar Ortega: Picked up from the A’s in the offseason, the Yankees are hoping that he will be helped by their excellent defense and more resemble his 2022 self than any year since.
RHP Ron Jackson: Fresh off being named the #6 prospect in baseball, Jackson will start the season in the second spot of the rotation, and if he progresses as the season goes on will be one of the favorites for American League Rookie of the Year.
RHP Blair Wilh: The one seemingly sure thing about Blair Wilh as he enters his rookie season is that he will strikeout a lot of opposing batters. His level of success this year and throughout the course of his career will be determined by if he can keep the ball in the strike zone and avoid walks.
RHP Cory Hetki: Non-tendered by Keeley after 2024 and resigned midway through 2025 when the team needed an extra starter, Hetki was about league average last year in 16 starts and will be called upon to eat innings until the rest of the young guns are ready.
RHP Juan Rocha: Most likely the first roster casualty in the event of Angelo Martinez’s debut if it happens this year, Rocha is only still here because the team needed a fifth starter.
Possible Prospect Breakthroughs:
LHP Angelo Martinez: Although still just 21, 2025 looks like it might be the year for the uber-talented southpaw. Don’t expect him to be the first one called up if an injury occurs early in the year, but if he progresses as team officials expect, he might force his way into the rotation by the end of the year, injury or no injury.
SS Eddie Pinuelas: Yankees scouts seem to believe that Pinuelas’ tools are big-league ready, his defense certainly and his bat probably. Right now they’re watching and waiting to see his plate discipline improve. It’s not clear right now if he’ll be the first one called up in the case of an injury.
RF Ben Wallace/ 1B Edwin Roy: Depending on how they hit this year in the minors, expect to see one of these two called up if an injury befalls the DH or corner outfielders, and Roy if one occurs to 1B Tony Zambrano.
Prediction: 76-86
In the lineup alone, eight out of nine projected starters are 26 years old or younger. Here’s what it’s looking like:
Catcher, Dennis Caldwell: Acquired in a big trade over the offseason, although still 25, Caldwell brings a another proven bat to a lineup full of players who are still coming into their own.
First Base, Tony Zambrano: Acquired last offseason, Zambrano in his first full season provided a power threat and by the end of the year claimed the cleanup spot in the lineup. All eyes on the Yankees this year will be looking to see if Zambrano can take another leap in his development by getting on base at a higher clip.
Second Base, Jorge Valdes: An excellent defensive second baseman, if Valdes can even be an about average hitter this season, he’ll be worth his spot in the lineup. If he’s better than that, he could be an important piece for the team.
Third Base, Josh MacGruder: Although it’s been rumored that GM Mike Keeley is still looking for other options in free agency and the trade market, right now the presumptive starter is Josh MacGruder. Team officials are skeptical at this point whether his bat will ever develop, which is why they’re exploring possible replacements, but at least in the interim he provides above-average defense at the hot corner.
Shortstop, Mike Morris: The one over-30 player in the lineup, Morris is the reigning AL Gold Glove winner who was by far the team’s MVP. Although over 30, he doesn’t look like he’s lost a step in the offseason and is looking to repeat his performance.
Left Field, Henrik Tippold: Although entering his fifth season in the majors Tippold is still only 23, and with the Tippold-in-Center experiment firmly over, he’s primed for a breakout year in left where he’s a defensive wizard. If he hits righties and plays plus defense, he’ll play every day.
Center Field, Salvador Martinez: A dynamic five-tool player when healthy, staying on the field is they key for Martinez. His health is vital to the Yankees, as he is by far their most talented center fielder. If he goes down in the middle of the season, they will be forced to rely on journeymen Mike Jewell and Tim Anderson.
Right Field, Tim Phipps: The best young player on the team, Phipps is still only 23, but has already put together two solid major league seasons. Those inside the organization expect him to take another substantial leap forward this season, with his performance this year resembling what they expect to see for years to come.
Designated Hitter, Ray Hopps: Like Tony Zambrano, Hopps showed considerable power last season with a .440 slugging percentage, he just needs to get on base more to make himself into a more rounded player. New York talent evaluators seem to believe that he has made improvements in his approach, and will continue to improve throughout the season.
On the hill, 2026 sees the debut of two of the Yankees’ most promising young pitchers, the fireballing Ron Jackson, and the extra-fireballing Blair Wilh. Both were members of New York’s 2024 draft class, picked 23rd and 10th respectively. Here is the layout o the entire rotation:
RHP Cesar Ortega: Picked up from the A’s in the offseason, the Yankees are hoping that he will be helped by their excellent defense and more resemble his 2022 self than any year since.
RHP Ron Jackson: Fresh off being named the #6 prospect in baseball, Jackson will start the season in the second spot of the rotation, and if he progresses as the season goes on will be one of the favorites for American League Rookie of the Year.
RHP Blair Wilh: The one seemingly sure thing about Blair Wilh as he enters his rookie season is that he will strikeout a lot of opposing batters. His level of success this year and throughout the course of his career will be determined by if he can keep the ball in the strike zone and avoid walks.
RHP Cory Hetki: Non-tendered by Keeley after 2024 and resigned midway through 2025 when the team needed an extra starter, Hetki was about league average last year in 16 starts and will be called upon to eat innings until the rest of the young guns are ready.
RHP Juan Rocha: Most likely the first roster casualty in the event of Angelo Martinez’s debut if it happens this year, Rocha is only still here because the team needed a fifth starter.
Possible Prospect Breakthroughs:
LHP Angelo Martinez: Although still just 21, 2025 looks like it might be the year for the uber-talented southpaw. Don’t expect him to be the first one called up if an injury occurs early in the year, but if he progresses as team officials expect, he might force his way into the rotation by the end of the year, injury or no injury.
SS Eddie Pinuelas: Yankees scouts seem to believe that Pinuelas’ tools are big-league ready, his defense certainly and his bat probably. Right now they’re watching and waiting to see his plate discipline improve. It’s not clear right now if he’ll be the first one called up in the case of an injury.
RF Ben Wallace/ 1B Edwin Roy: Depending on how they hit this year in the minors, expect to see one of these two called up if an injury befalls the DH or corner outfielders, and Roy if one occurs to 1B Tony Zambrano.
Prediction: 76-86