The Yankees youth movement is in full effect
For years, the New York Yankees had one of the oldest lineups in Major League Baseball. And after realizing a lineup strictly consisting of veterans wasn't the key to success, the Yankees made it their goal to give their fans a younger, more athletic team. It took a few years, including the emergence of right fielder Aaron Judge, but entering the 2018 season, the Yankees were right where they wanted to be age-wise. Sure, the Yankees had their bumps in the road during the month of April: They started the season without Jacoby Ellsbury and Clint Frazier, and they lost players such as Greg Bird, Tommy Kahnle, Adam Warren, and Brandon Drury to injury. But with the numerous injuries, the Yankees were able to use the depth they have in Scranton to round out a ball club that was predicted to be a postseason's favorite. Over the course of three weeks, the Yankees added Miguel Andujar, got Aaron Hicks back from the disabled list and yesterday, called up second baseman Gleyber Torres. With the multiple youthful additions, the Yankees sent out the following lineup against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.
Young & Hungry. pic.twitter.com/Lag7M9dJDk
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 22, 2018
Yesterday's lineup was significant in more ways than one. Not only did the Yankees win the game and take three-of-four against their AL East rivals, but they also sent out their youngest lineup since September 29, 1989. Every single starter in the lineup, including ace Luis Severino, is under the age of 30.
They're fresh. They're fearless. pic.twitter.com/zuEa01BINt
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 22, 2018
That was a far cry from a few years ago. It's almost hard to believe that just six years ago, the Yankees had the oldest roster in franchise history. The 2012 season is not a season we normally talk about--especially since the Yankees were knocked out of the ALCS by the Detroit Tigers in a series sweep--but the Yankees had Derek Jeter, Brett Gardner, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Raul Ibanez, Ichiro Suzuki, Eric Chavez, Andruw Jones, Curtis Granderson, and Nick Swisher in their starting lineup. The 2012 lineup was an average 32.7 years old. My, how things have changed. It's no secret the Yankees have a talented and youthful bunch. But the team can only go up from here. They have veteran, and Yankee homegrown, Brett Gardner along with CC Sabathia providing guidance. Drury, Frazier and Bird are expected to return at some point in May, and Giancarlo Stanton is expected to return to form now that the weather is getting warmer. The fans had a glimpse of the youth movement last season which led them a game short of the World Series. Now, the Yankees youth movement is in full force, and the organization hopes the youth movement can them farther into the postseason and create a whole new dynasty.