Bench
The Yankee bench provides a mixed reaction if there ever was one. Rob Refsnyder has been stellar serving as a utility guy and his potent bat off the bench has often found him in the starting lineup. Furthermore, Austin Romine has provided an unexpected offensive lift out of his backup catching duties.
However, the bench has its flaws as well. While Ronald Torreyes was a nice addition, you probably see him once a week if you are lucky. He is as nonexistent as it gets, but at least he is not of the horrendous nonexistent nature which belongs to Aaron Hicks.
The 26-year-old offseason acquisition has been absolutely dreadful in his transition to a part-time playing role. His slash is .197/.261/.301 overall and a horrific .155/.218/.225 against left-handers — what the organization pays him to do. If it was not for the franchise’s obsession with having a young outfielder as a three-to-four times a week insurance policy, he would be long gone.
Grade: C+
