5 observations from New York Yankees spring training

TAMPA, Fla. — There’s been no scarcity of giddiness around George M. Steinbrenner Field this February. 

Yankees fans program up to the campingsites early in the earlymornings, well inthepast gamers even showup, to catch a peek of stars driving into work. The high-pitched sounds of kids shrieking in pleasure? That’s generally the outcome of getting a signed sign. People are continuously crowding the group shop, trying to get their hands on a No. 22 jersey. 

Inside the clubhouse, there’s a particular buoyancy to the location. Fresh and gifted blood is blending with developed star veterans to develop a high and transmittable energy. The self-confidence originating from the 31-acre complex begins with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge batting in the exactsame lineup and ends with a pinstriped belief that this is the year the Yankees return to the World Series.

Without additional ado, here are 5 observations from Yankees spring training. 

1. The Juan Soto reveal

Ah, yes, the primary character, the leading male, in this production. Soto is the always-smiling superstar who fits right into the Yankees clubhouse. Whether he’s bouncing from space to space, taking a minute to unwind by sitting at his locker, or talking store with Judge and Giancarlo Stanton on the field, Soto looks comfy with New York on his chest, and it’s simple to thinkof the slugger finalizing a long-lasting offer there. Of course, even if Soto is as promoted, the Yankees have to win, veryfirst and primary, to encourage the generational star to remain. Judge is relying on the Yankees’ loud fan base to sell out the Bronx and do the convincing for him.

“I think the fans, when we program up on [Yankees’ home opener] April 5th, will do a lot of persuading, too,” Judge stated. “I think we’ll be great.”

Speaking of that home opener, Soto appears distressed about playing in the Bronx. He stated his greatest obstacle this year will be to keep his feelings in check in front of home crowds, especially because he’s looking forward to the big contingent of Yankees fans who represent the Dominican Republic.

“It’s going to feel like home,” Soto stated of playing at Yankee Stadium. “It’s going to feel terrific, however it’s going to be a lot of pressure, too.”

2. DJ looking explosive

With all the buzz engulfing Soto at Yankees camp, DJ LeMahieu’s development hasactually flown under the radar. The two-time batting champ, who turns 36 in July, goesinto the season as the earliest gamer on the Yankees lineup. He understands he has a lot to show after a average 2023 season that saw him carryout 4% evenworse (96 OPS+) than the average significant league player. Even however it’s early, and gamers frequently confirm to being in the finest shape of their lives in these veryfirst coupleof weeks of spring training, LeMahieu is so far getting high appreciation that hadactually been missingouton last spring.

He simply finished his veryfirst completely healthy offseason because 2020, which was the verysame year he led the league in striking for a 2nd time. Now, with his toe injury and sports hernia behind him, LeMahieu’s excellent health this winterseason permitted him to train regularly, and he’s looking forward to turning the page from last year. On Monday, in his Grapefruit League launching, LeMahieu went 1-for-2 with a run scored, while Aaron Boone gushed later about how explosive he looked at the plate. LeMahieu has the high job of being a leadoff player for a deep lineup that now consistsof Juan Soto. The offense will have a scarier appearance to it if LeMahieu can be its table setter on a nighttime basis. 

3. Dugie bringing the energy

Alex Verdugo has currently incorporated himself so well with the Yankees that it looks like he’s been in the company for years. He may as well haveactually been, giventhat no one in Boston would acknowledge his brand-new clean-shaven appearance, anyhow. Whether it’s teasing Anthony Volpe’s spiky hair by referring to him as Jersey Shore’s DJ Paulie D, or splitting more jokes throughout batting practice, Verdugo’s relaxed mindset and pleasant personality is a significant factor Yankees’ spring training has a various ambiance to it this year. He’s that guy who is constantly torturing his colleagues and keeping the environment light, taking a page from Anthony Rizzo’s playbook on how to keep everyone loose.

And if that makes you concerned about Verdugo’s sense of focus and attention — he is, after all, simply a year gotridof from Alex Cora benching him on 2 different celebrations, for a absence of hustle on the bases and for revealing up late on videogame day — then appearance no evenmore than Judge’s response to the finalizing. Apparently, Judge hasactually been asking the Yankees front workplace to acquire Verdugo “for years.” Judge enhanced Verdugo for being a player who plays through injuries and reveals up allset to go every day. It’ll be difficult for Verdugo to slack off when the Yankee captain is paying such close attention.

4. “Nothin to it” for Nasty Nestor

Nestor Cortes provided what was quickly my preferred quote of spring training. After the left-hander struck out Soto all 3 times they dealtwith off in live batting practice, Cortes was fast to modest himself when asked about the accomplishment. 

“Nah, it’s too early for him to be out there,” Cortes stated of Soto. “It’s mostlikely the veryfirst live pitching he’s seen because last season. Nothin’ to it.”

Accordingly, Soto homered and selected up 5 RBIs and 2 strikes in his veryfirst 4 spring training at-bats, so there’s no issue about him. Instead, Cortes’ whiffs versus Soto provided us a muchbetter concept of how reliable the southpaw currently is, this quickly into spring training. In that lefty-lefty match, Cortes looked like the beginning pitcher who broke out for the Yankees in 2022, when he went 12-4 and published a 2.44 ERA in 28 begins. Cortes thinks he can return to that type this season, now that his rotator cuff stress is completely behind him.

5. First-class experience

Trent Grisham is happily delighted with what he called a “first-class experience” giventhat he signedupwith the Yankees. The outfielder, obtained from the Padres in the Soto trade, stated the Yankees have “everything you require” for gamers to be their finest selves. Whether it’s their big training and weight space, detailed spring training schedule, limitless resources, or his brand-new colleagues, Grisham stated the Yankees have invited him to the company in a method he hadn’t formerly experienced while playing in San Diego or Milwaukee. 

Grisham couldn’t put his finger on what precisely it is about the Yankees company that feels like such an upgrade to him. He chalked it up to, well, “the feel of the location.” 

“After simply being here for a day, you can kind of feel that appetite, that drive, that keeps us all focused on one objective,” Grisham stated. “That’s really revitalizing.”

Deesha Thosar is an MLB author for FOX Sports. She formerly covered the Mets as a beat pressreporter for the New York Daily News. The child of Indian immigrants, Deesha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow her on Twitter at @DeeshaThosar.