For the first time in what seems like ages, the Yankees’ starting lineup will be at full strength — and just in time.
After a slew of injuries shorthanded a team that still found a way to win 103 games last year, an unprecedented 60-game schedule will leave no margin for error, meaning that the Yankees need their A-grade lineup for as many games as possible.
It looks like that will be the exact case. Aaron Judge revealed he is ready after healing from a broken rib and stiff neck, Giancarlo Stanton is a full go, DJ LeMahieu recovered from COVID-19 and is making a push to be ready for Opening Day, and Aaron Hicks has recovered from Tommy John surgery.
The likes of star-in-the-making Gleyber Torres — who broke out last season as a 22-year-old — Gary Sanchez, and the returning Miguel Andujar only sweetens a lineup that already boasts an embarrassment of riches.
While a 60-game season won’t yield the gaudy numbers that are synonymous with a 162-game campaign, the Yankees are going to be one of the most dangerous offensive teams in MLB:
2020 projected Yankees starting lineup, stats
1) DJ LeMahieu- 2B
- 2019 stats: .327 batting average (BA), .893 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), 26 HR, 102 RBI
- 2020 prediction: .302 BA, .806 OPS, 6 HR, 24 RBI
2) Aaron Judge- RF
- 2019 stats: .272 BA, .921 OPS, 27 HR, 55 RBI
- 2020 prediction: .268 BA, .960 OPS, 16 HR, 38 RBI
3) Gleyber Torres- SS
- 2019 stats: .278 BA, .871 OPS, 38 HR, 90 RBI
- 2020 prediction: .272 BA, .849 OPS, 14 HR, 37 RBI
4) Giancarlo Stanton- DH
- 2019 stats: .288 BA, .894 OPS, 3 HR, 13 RBI
- 2020 prediction: .268 BA, .905 OPS, 16 HR, 40 RBI
5) Gary Sanchez- C
- 2019 stats: .232 BA, .841 OPS, 34 HR, 77 RBI
- 2020 prediction: .239 BA, .846 OPS, 17 HR, 42 RBI
6) Aaron Hicks- CF
- 2019 stats: .235 BA, .769 OPS, 12 HR, 36 RBI
- 2020 prediction: .229 BA, .729 OPS, 8 HR, 25 RBI
7) Luke Voit- 1B
- 2019 stats: .263 BA, .842 OPS, 21 HR, 62 RBI
- 2020 prediction: .259 BA, .850 OPS, 11 HR, 30 RBI
8) Brett Gardner- LF
- 2019 stats: .251 BA, .829 OPS, 28 HR, 74 RBI
- 2020 prediction: .247 BA, .793 OPS, 7 HR, 21 RBI
9) Gio Urshela- 3B
- 2019 stats: .314 BA, .889 OPS, 21 HR, 74 RBI
- 2020 prediction: .270 BA, .740 OPS, 4 HR, 23 RBI
As for the Yankees’ pitching staff, they finally have their true No. 1 ace in the form of Gerrit Cole, who will lead a promising staff flanked by James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka — who will miss his first turn in the rotation after suffering a concussion — J.A. Happ, and Jordan Montgomery.
Believed to be the true Achilles heel of the franchise, the presence of Cole has only strengthened the team’s standing as a World Series contender. But they’ll need premier stuff out of the righty for the 2020 sprint:
2020 projected Yankees starting rotation, stats
Gerrit Cole (RHP)
- 2019 stats: 20-5 record, 2.50 ERA, 326 strikeouts (K’s), 0.895 walks/hits per inning pitched (WHIP)
- 2020 prediction: 8-1, 2.67 ERA, 83 K’s, 1.023 WHIP
James Paxton (LHP)
- 2019 stats: 15-6, 3.82 ERA, 186 K’s, 1.281 WHIP
- 2020 prediction: 5-3, 3.61 ERA, 73 K’s, 1.226 WHIP
Masahiro Tanaka (RHP)
- 2019 stats: 11-9, 4.45 ERA, 149 K’s, 1.242 WHIP
- 2020 prediction: 5-3, 3.86 ERA, 64 K’s, 1.194 WHIP
JA Happ (LHP)
- 2019 stats: 12-8, 4.91 ERA, 140 K’s, 1.295 WHIP
- 2020 prediction: 5-4, 4.09 ERA, 57 K’s, 1.308 WHIP
Jordan Montgomery (LHP)
- 2019 stats: 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 5 K’s, 1.750 WHIP
- 2020 prediction: 4-2, 3.91 ERA, 55 K’s, 1.259 WHIP
