Aaron Boone is pleased with the lineup he’s seeing from the New York Yankees, noting that it closely resembles what the team will put out on opening day.
Star right fielder Juan Soto, acquired in the offseason trade with San Diego, showcased his prowess with his fourth homer of spring training, while catcher Jose Trevino, making his spring debut after recovering from a calf injury, also went deep in the Yankees’ 9-8 comeback win over Atlanta on Sunday.
The absence of shortstop Anthony Volpe, who has been impressive this spring, was notable. Volpe had played his way into the opening-day lineup last year and had a solid rookie season.
The lineup against the Braves mirrored what the Yankees have fielded when regulars have played this spring: DJ LeMahieu at third base, Soto, Aaron Judge in center field, Anthony Rizzo at first base, Gleyber Torres at second base, and Giancarlo Stanton as the designated hitter.
Boone expressed optimism about the offensive potential of the lineup, emphasizing the importance of keeping the players healthy. He believes that with consistent availability, the Yankees have the talent to score plenty of runs.
The addition of Soto ahead of the 2022 AL MVP Judge has created excitement within the team. Judge praised Soto’s versatility and ability to impact the game in various ways, which he believes will raise the performance level of the entire lineup.
Injuries remain a concern, particularly given Judge’s history of missing games due to toe ligament injuries and Stanton’s injury-plagued seasons. However, both players are currently healthy and ready to contribute.
Judge highlighted the depth of the lineup, noting that the offensive threat extends beyond the first few innings. He expressed confidence in what the lineup can achieve and emphasized the team’s eagerness to get the season underway.
