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Tyler Wade: the last prospect standing

 

If at the beginning of Spring Training you had to guess which prospect had the best chance of making the team, odds are Tyler Wade wouldn’t be your first choice. But here we are, near the end of spring and Wade is looking like the last prospect standing. That’s pretty impressive considering the other prospects at camp. Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar, Chance Adams, and Clint Frazier all probably had a better chance to make the team in everyone’s mind, yet Wade beat them all out.

Aaron Boone confirmed Tuesday that Wade has indeed made the team, entering into a likely platoon at second base with Neil Walker. After a triple and a double on Tuesday, the 23-year-old is hitting a smooth .316 this spring, though he doesn’t have any home runs. And that’s fine. Wade’s game is more about average and speed, as demonstrated Tuesday with his two extra-base hits. The power of the platoon will come from Walker, who has never hit less than 14 home runs in a full season and has hit as many as 23 twice in his career.

Despite his solid bat, it might be Wade’s defense that will bring the most value to the team. Boone and others this spring have raved about his defense, and fans watching have noticed some pretty impressive stops at second base. He isn’t limited to just second, either. He has experience at just about every position, except first and catcher, and the Yankees may use him as such. For that matter, Walker has multi-positional experience as well and can play at first, second and third.

Eventually, Torres should push his way back to the top of the depth chart as he climbs back from Tommy John surgery. When he gets called up, Wade may be sent down or relegated to the bench. But for now, to start the season, Wade is the last prospect standing and the Yankees are in good shape heading into the season.