CINCINNATI — Seven games are not nearly enough to know what the Yankees are going to get out of Giancarlo Stanton this season.
But in the limited sample size, Aaron Boone has liked what he has seen so far, even without Stanton flashing any of his power just yet.
“I think he’s looking pretty good,” Boone remarked after Stanton managed a hit in four tries, striking out three times during a 6-1 defeat to the Reds at Great American Ballpark.
“It seems like he’s well-timed and following the ball well. … It’s expected for there to be some swing-and-miss in G’s game, that’s just part of it. Overall, I feel he’s in a solid spot right now.”
Stanton wrapped up Monday with a batting record of 7-for-23, featuring a double, two walks, and nine strikeouts since returning to the season lineup after being sidelined for over two and a half months due to tendonitis in both elbows. Of these strikeouts, eight occurred over his past three games.
The 35-year-old DH, who started Monday for the sixth time in eight games, has continued to hit the ball hard when he makes contact, including a 109.8 mph single against the Reds. Where he can improve, Boone indicated, is getting those balls in the air.
“Some of his best shots have been a low liner or ball in the ground,” Boone said. “I think the next step is getting some balls a little bit more airborne. But feel like he’s recognizing pitches pretty well.”
Before the game, Boone said he will be deliberate in getting Stanton days off to try to make sure he stays healthy the rest of the season.
“With our club and the roster, we have that freedom a little bit to say, be a little bit more disciplined to probably play him two out of three days here and there,” Boone said. “We’ll continue to evolve as we go and continue to pay attention to how he’s doing and how he’s recovering.But right now, especially in these early days, I’m putting a value on making sure I give him that day, even when maybe you want to do otherwise.”
Marcus Stroman will make another rehab start with Double-A Somerset on Tuesday, when he is expected to throw around 70 pitches. It could be the veteran’s last rehab outing, depending on what the Yankees want to do with him — possibly slotting him back into the rotation while Ryan Yarbrough is on the injured list, though Allan Winans was called up on Monday to fill his spot in the meantime.
In the latest update on fan voting for the All-Star Game, Aaron Judge was the only Yankee leading his position — not to mention all of baseball. Paul Goldschmidt (who was overtaken by the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the lead at first base) and Ben Rice (at DH) ranked second at their respective positions.
The first phase of fan voting ends on Thursday at noon, with the top two vote-getters at each position advancing to the second phase of voting to determine who makes the team.
