The New York Yankees are in Tampa, and while Grapefruit League games are finally around the corner, attention turns to one of the most frequent talking points of spring training: who will be the first player to hit a home run for the Yankees during the exhibition season. Wins and losses don’t matter much in the month of February, but the crack of a bat and ball leaving the park to find nothing but air between the ball and the back wall always brings fans’ attention, as well as the attention of those in the clubhouse.
Early spring lineups are a mix of stars getting their wind back before the season and younger players who are looking to show that they belong on the roster. The combination of that leads to lots of chances at a longball early in the season, given how many pitchers are still building arm strength.
Here are some of the most likely suspects among the Yankees who might make the first deposit into the team’s spring power account. Yankees are scheduled to face Orioles tonight.
Aaron Judge and other proven middle-of-the-order sluggers
If you rein in talk of Yankees power, the topic must start with Aaron Judge. Judge is such an imposing presence that even with limited spring at-bats, he can homer at any moment. We wouldn’t be shocked if he hits the Yankees’ first home run of the season as soon as a few early Grapefruit League at-bats come before things really get underway for him this spring.
Cody Bellinger is another strong candidate. Those spring training ballparks are tailor-made for Bellinger’s left-handed power (Bellinger likes to dial in his timing early in camp). That could get him a mistake pitch early in the games, and he has the ability to drive fastballs.
Austin Wells, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and the wildcard options
Austin Wells has always been a more interesting option in the younger, versatile bat realm. Wells displayed good power for a rookie, and in spring training, catchers usually get a lot of early at-bats. When he steps to the plate in one of the early games in that scenario, he has a legitimate chance to get a big hit, thanks to his short but powerful swing.
You could also throw in Jazz Chisholm Jr. Chisholm has earned a reputation for swing aggression and athleticism, and even if he does not make perfect contact, he doesn’t need much of an invitation to leave the yard. He has the requisite energy and attack angle to make an early-count pitch a classic spring-training home run opportunity.
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