Brian McCann has a lot to be proud of from his second season in the Bronx. He hit a career high 26 home runs, had a career high tying 94 RBIs and won his sixth Silver Slugger Award. What sticks out to the veteran backstop about 2015 though? His .232 batting average.
“I don’t like looking up there and seeing I’m hitting around .230,’’ he said. “I’ve got to get better. I’d like to hit .300 with 30 homers. I’m searching. That’s my mindset.’’
The Yankees bats all went dormant toward the tail end of last year, McCann’s included. He hit .206 in July, .224 in August and .174 in September/October. Defensive shifts have been the biggest problem for him. He tried to hit to the opposite field but didn’t get the results he wanted. He has talked with Mark Teixeira, who faces similar shifts, to try and make the necessary adjustments.
“I think Tex says it the best: walk more and hit for extra-base hits. The game today is about getting on base and driving runs in.’’
Pitchers and catchers report in 30 days and McCann is going to have a full plate this spring training. The bullpen got a face lift with the addition of Aroldis Chapman to bolster the already scary combination of Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances.
“There’s a handful of players that dominate the game. He’s definitely right there with the top,’’ McCann said of Chapman. “You throw him in the bullpen with Andrew Miller and Betances. We’ve got three of the best pitchers in the game coming on late in the game.’’
Another task that falls to him will be mentoring two young prospects competing to be his backup. With John Ryan Murphy getting traded to Minnesota, Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez will be fighting for playing time. McCann gave his vote of confidence to The Kraken.
“Sanchez has a huge upside. His tools are off the chart. There’s nothing he can’t do on a baseball field. He’s got power to all fields, he’s got a cannon for an arm. We’re going to miss Murph a lot, but we got Aaron Hicks and you got to give up something to get something. We’re excited about Hicks jumping on board. I love where we’re at.’’
