4 Things Yankees: Judging Judge, Projecting Playoff Roster

PROJECTED PLAYOFF LINEUP
According to ESPN, there’s a 99.5% probability that the New York Yankees will be submitting a playoff roster to Major League Baseball in two weeks. As a public service to Brian Cashman, Aaron Boone and their crew, here’s who should be on the roster.

Playoff Lineup

1. Trent Grisham (CF)
2. Aaron Judge (RF)
3. Cody Bellinger (LF)
4. Ben Rice (1B)
5. Giancarlo Stanton (DH)
6. Jazz Chisholm Jr (2B)
7. Austin Wells (C)
8. Anthony Volpe (SS)
9. Ryan McMahon (3B)

Reserves

1. Paul Goldschmidt (1B)
2. Jose Caballero (Utility)
3. Amed Rosario (Utility)
4. Austin Slater (OF)
5. Jasson Dominguez (OF)

Thoughts
Ben Rice’s body of work across his rookie season should earn him a regular spot in the playoff lineup. On days lefties pitch, expect Paul Goldschmidt to take over first, and Rice to slide into the catcher spot.

In the best-of-three Wild-Card round, the Yankees’ likely destination, they will keep both Dominguez and Slater on the roster and 12 pitchers. That will change if the Yanks make it to the League Division Series when they will want to keep the max 13 pitchers. My choice would be Dominguez over Slater because he would be the only bench player who bats left-handed, and he has the speed to pinch-run.

Finally, Volpe will be given an opportunity over these last 11 games to retain his shortstop job. However, now that his torn labrum is public knowledge, it will make it easier for Boone to pull Volpe if needed.

PROJECTED PLAYOFF PITCHERS
As mentioned above, the Yankees will keep 12 pitchers in the Wild-Card round, and 13 thereafter if they advance.

Playoff Rotation

1. Max Fried (LHP)
2. Carlos Rodon (LHP)
3. Luis Gil (RHP)
4. Cam Schlittler (RHP)

Playoff Bullpen

1. David Bednar (RHP)
2. Devin Williams (RHP)
3. Luke Weaver (RHP)
4. Tim Hill (LHP)
5. Fernando Cruz (RHP)
6. Mark Leiter Jr (RHP)
7. Camilo Doval (RHP)
8. Ryan Yarbrough (LHP)

Thoughts
In the Wild-Card round you stack up your best pitchers with Fried and Rodon at the top. If it goes to a Game 3, Gil starts with Schlittler ready as insurance.

If you make it to the LDS, then I would go Fried, Gil, Rodon, Schlittler one-through-four. In a best-of-five it will help to alternate righties and lefties and put one of your two aces in the pivotal Game 3 slot.

Finally, in a potential LDS, when you drop either Dominguez or Slater, you add Will Warren for bullpen length.

THE ROAD TO MONUMENT PARK
Since 1959, the Yankees Top 5 All-Time HR leaders were Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra. It took 66 years for someone to approach those legends. Then it took 72 hours for Aaron Judge to pass both Berra and DiMaggio. Here’s the updated list as of September 16:

1. Babe Ruth 659
2. Mickey Mantle 536
3. Lou Gehrig 493
4. Aaron Judge 363
5. Joe DiMaggio 361
6. Yogi Berra 358

MORE “JUDGIAN” NUMBERS
Judge has played only 1134 games, ranking 35^th on the Yankees All-Time list. That explains why, outside of homers, he’s still down the list on most under cumulative stats. However, when we look at OBP, SLG, and OPS, you can see why many believe he is building a monument park resume.

All-Time Yankees OBP:

1. Babe Ruth (.484)
2. Lou Gehrig (.447)
3. Mickey Mantle (.421)
4. Aaron Judge (.412)

All-Time Yankees Slugging:

1. Babe Ruth (.711)
2. Lou Gehrig (.632)
3. Aaron Judge (.613)

All-Time Yankees OPS:

1. Babe Ruth (1.195)
2. Lou Gehrig (1.079)
3. Aaron Judge (1.024)

Judge has already earned having his #99 retired. However, to fulfill his destiny, he knows he needs October success. Through this stage in his career, his career playoff numbers are as follows:

• OBP (.318)
• SLG (.450)
• OPS (.768)

To earn a monument in Monument Park alongside Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, and Mantle — Judge still needs at least one World Championship and his own memorable playoff moments.

ICYMI “4 Things Yankees: 137 Down, 25 To Go”