Jablonski Rico Noel. Yes, Jablonski is his legal first name. The September call-up and pinch running sensation could be a difference maker for the Yankees down the stretch.
Now I understand your skepticism. A guy who hit below the Mendoza line in Triple-A and was cut loose by the Padres? How is he supposed to make a difference? The answer here is his speed. Noel is blindingly fast, having stolen 283 bases in 611 career minor league games, including 90 in 2012 for San Diego’s High-A affiliate. Noel already has two stolen bases, including one in the 8th inning of last night’s game vs. Tampa Bay. In five games, he has already come around to score twice, having played exclusively as a pinch runner thus far.
At this point, with the Yankees lineup in a serious slump, any base runner serves as an opportunity to manufacture a run. If it’s a low-scoring game late (like last night), it serves the club well to put Noel in for one of the slow, aging veterans probably on base. The Yankees are the 4th worst team in the majors in terms of stolen bases, with 50 total. For some perspective, the Marlins’ Dee Gordon has 50 stolen bases by himself (and he doesn’t even lead the league in steals.)
The Yankees’ offense made do for most of the year without relying on stolen bases, but in the postseason, a pinch runner can make the difference. Down the stretch, when expanded rosters provide an almost infinite bullpen, runs can be tough to come by late. The same is true in the postseason, where runs are always at a premium.
Noel can shine here. Look at the way Terrance Gore caused a stir for the Royals in last year’s postseason. His three stolen bases in last year’s postseason provided the Royals with a spark and the instant chance to manufacture a run off the bench (and distract the pitcher as well.) Interestingly enough, Noel worked in San Diego’s spring trainings with the Padres’ bench coach, Dave Roberts. Yes, the same Dave Roberts who infamously pinch ran the Red Sox right back into the 2004 ALCS.
At the same time, there are a few drawbacks to this strategy. At this point in the season, when the Yankees offense has been depleted to the point that Joe Girardi has relied on Dustin Ackley and Brendan Ryan on a regular basis, it might not be the best idea to sub in Noel for one of the better hitters who probably reached base. For instance, if Noel runs for Brian McCann late in the game like he did on Saturday, then you take McCann’s bat out of the lineup for the rest of the game if it goes into extra innings. On the other hand, if you want to send somebody to pinch-hit for Noel, that would use another bench spot.
This may work in September when there are 40 players available, but that may limit the usefulness of Noel on the postseason roster. Then again, bringing Noel on is a risk, and frankly, it’s one worth taking in the postseason and especially now down the stretch. The impact that a pinch runner has, especially a speed demon like Noel, is hard to tangibly value, but if done right, it can have a huge impact.
