When the Yankees’ bats were silenced against Houston Astros’ ace Dallas Keuchel in the 2015 AL wild card game at Yankee Stadium, veteran outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury watched seven and a half innings from the dugout as a $153 million benchwarmer. At that time, only the 34-year-old’s salary kept him relevant, as his play on the field was anything but adequate.
But this October, the narrative might change, as Ellsbury has a legitimate chance at seeing his first playoff start in pinstripes.
In the month of September, Ellsbury owns a slashline of .429/.543/.625 in 72 plate appearances (19 games), with seven doubles, two triples, 13 walks, 17 runs, five stolen bases, and six RBI. Prior to Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins — a team which could be visiting the Bronx once again for a one-game playoff on Oct. 3 — he entered the afternoon with a slashline of .366/.477/.549 in his last 28 games. With three hits against the Twins yesterday, those numbers have gone up.
Although Ellsbury’s hot bat has kept his name in circulation, the remaining Yankee outfielders (sans Aaron Judge, who’s a lock in right field) are either banged up or slumping, which makes Ellsbury a viable option. On Wednesday, 34-year-old Brett Gardner extended his hitting streak to 11 games, but in the seventh inning was removed from the game after being drilled in the right shoulder by a pitch in the fifth. Gardner, who believes he will be available to play on Friday in Toronto, has made light of the situation. But Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi told the New York Post that “there’s some concern there” in regard to Gardner’s bruised shoulder.
Even if Gardner’s fine, both Aaron Hicks and Clint Frazier aren’t. Hicks, who’s been sidelined with a left oblique injury since Sept. 2, is expected to take batting practice this weekend in Tampa and play in an instructional game on Monday, per the Post. As for Frazier, his rookie mistakes have become glaring. In his last 37 plate appearances, the 23-year-old has hit just .184 (six hits) with three extra-base hits and 13 strikeouts.
The door of opportunity has re-opened for Ellsbury, and with 10 games left until the postseason begins, the Yankees have no choice but to consider him as an everyday lineup fixture, rather than the weakest link in the chain.
If you want to connect with Tom Hanslin, email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @tomhanslin.
