Miguel Andujar

Andujar remained an afterthought with the Yankees for the majority of the 2022 season, but he got a renewed chance when he was designated for assignment in late September and claimed by Pittsburgh. While a tremendous downgrade in team quality, joining the subpar Pirates' lineup provided Andujar the opportunity to play nearly every day while hitting in the middle of the order. He didn't experience much success in 2022, though it's worth remembering that Andujar was a well-regarded prospect with the potential for both above-average hit and power tools. He avoided arbitration in Pittsburgh early in the 2023 offseason, and he figures to get a chance at regular playing time while playing at first base, designated hitter, and left field even after the team added Ji-Man Choi and Carlos Santana.

Andujar's career was sidetracked with a shoulder injury in 2019 and it hasn't recovered as he's been just a reserve player. Andujar has appeared in only 78 games for the Yankees over the past three seasons after being an everyday player in 2018. He hit .253/.284/.383 with six home runs and 12 RBI in 162 plate appearances last year, and he's ticketed for a bench role if he makes the Opening Day roster.

Andujar struggled to remain in the big leagues during even a shortened season, appearing in just 21 contests. He slashed .242/.277/.355 with one homer and five RBI over that brief stretch. There were some encouraging signs from the 25-year-old at the dish, as he lowered his K% to 13.8 after sitting at 22.4 a season ago. Andujar's power has always been an attraction for most, especially as a young prospect, and he's showcased plenty of power in the past, slugging 27 homers in 149 games during the 2018 campaign, but it remains to be seen whether he can return to that form following an injury-plagued 2019 and an inconsistent 2020. After playing in just 33 ballgames over the last two seasons, it would be wise to exercise caution with Adnjuar on your league's draft day.

Andujar was one of the many injuries the Yankees dealt with in 2019, and they still won 100-plus games. Andjuar had a labrum tear in his right shoulder that he tried to rehabilitate without surgery, but went 3-for-34 before deciding to shut it down and have the surgery on May 20 which took him out for the season. His 2018 showed us what Andujar could be at the big-league level with the hard contact and impatient approach at the plate. The concern for 2020 is the time removed from live pitching due to the shoulder surgery and just how well that shoulder heals. It is his throwing shoulder, so he will need to be able to make the throws from third base as there is not much room to allow him to recover as a DH. If he were in another market, there may be more of a post-injury discount here, but the Yankee Inflation Factor will be strong on draft day. Do not allow yourself to buy back in at the pre-2019 prices.

Andujar, the runner-up for the AL Rookie of the Year award, came as advertised. He displayed a quick bat and excellent contact skills despite being a free swinger. Pressed into action at the hot corner earlier than planned, Andujar rewarded the Yankees for their trust, pairing 47 doubles with 27 long balls. Considering that level of production, a 4% walk rate can be forgiven. However, Andujar’s defense is a major concern, with 15 errors fueling -25 defensive runs saved. Andujar is athletic enough to improve with repetition, plus his bat plays if he’s shifted across the diamond. One reason Andujar’s walk rate is so low because his Z-Contact% (contact within the zone) was a stellar 92%, ranking 21st among qualified hitters. He wasn’t at the plate long enough to draw four balls. There was nothing fluky about Andujar’s freshman campaign. Expecting a repeat is always optimistic, but there’s no real reason to worry about a sophomore slump.

An athletic 22-year-old with electric bat speed, Andujar had his best professional season while splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A and it somehow flew under the radar. He has been understandably overshadowed by Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge, Clint Frazier and Gleyber Torres in the Yankees' youth movement, but now that Andujar appears ready for primetime, everyone should be taking notice. He was the youngest player to rank in the top 10 in the International League in wRC+ (139) and the only 22-year-old to rank in the top 15 with a 13.2 percent strikeout rate. His hit tool is currently ahead of his power, but he should eventually be a threat to hit 25-plus homers annually. He has the arm for third base, but his bat could profile anywhere. With Starlin Castro and Chase Headley getting dealt this offseason, top prospect Gleyber Torres now looks like the long-term answer at second base, which leaves third base open for Andujar. The Yankees may look to add a cheap placeholder, but it should be Andujar's job sooner than later.

Andujar showed some emerging power in 2016, recording career highs in home runs and RBI in 130 games between High-A and Double-A. Unfortunately, just two of his home runs came in the final 72 games of the year at Double-A, and Andujar batted just .266 over that span. He puts bat to ball with great consistency but will need to add more power to profile well as a regular corner infielder at the major league level. That said, Chase Headley has struggled in recent seasons, and for all the improvement in the Yankees' farm system, the Bronx Bombers do not seem to have many other options standing in Andujar's way at the hot corner in the immediate future. As a result, he could end up getting a look at third base before the end of the 2017 season. Andujar figures to begin the year back at Double-A.