Why Yankees haven’t lost faith in this Aroldis Chapman pitch
Had Travis d’Arnaud’s fly ball to right field died on the warning track Monday night instead of crawling into the seats for what turned out to be a game-winning, three-run homer, Aroldis Chapman getting beat on a slider wouldn’t have been the hot topic it was Tuesday.
Before Tuesday night’s 8-3 win over the Rays, manager Aaron Boone was asked about the pitch selection to the former Mets catcher.
“I think he still throws two-thirds fastballs. I think people underestimate what a good pitch and what a weapon the slider has become for [Chapman]. As great a year as he’s having, on many a night, it’s been because of the slider. … It’s a weapon. It’s not only a pitch that he’s really good at throwing for a strike typically, but it’s also a put-away pitch for him,’’ Boone said of his All-Star closer, who has converted 25-of-29 save chances. “So, he pitches with both of those effectively. Some nights it’s more lean on the fastball, other nights it’s slider, other nights it’s a combination.’’
According to Boone, Chapman’s 3-2 pitch to d’Arnaud was up and out and led to the former Met’s third homer and fifth RBI of the Rays’ 5-4 victory.
Cito Culver, the Yankees’ first-round pick in the 2010 draft out of Irondequoit High School in Rochester, was at the Stadium on Tuesday taking advantage of a night off for the Sussex County (N.J.) Miners in the Can-Am League.
“You just sometimes gotta tip your cap. But that slider’s a real factor for him and for people kind of wondering about the usage of it, I don’t see it,’’ Boone said. “With his delivery and with how elite his fastball is, still guys are much more equipped to handle high-end velocity now. So, it’s hard to be a one-trick pony nowadays. And because that is such a quality pitch, the slider, it’s become a real factor and I think a big contributor in why he’s having such a special season for us.’’
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Aaron Judge gives Yankees reminder of how important he is
Statistically? Nah. Spiritually? By all means. His April oblique injury…
“As long as I can,’’ the 26-year-old infielder, who bunks at the ballpark, said about continuing to play ball in the independent circuit. “It’s baseball all the time.’’
Culver hit .231 in nine seasons of affiliated baseball, eight of them with the Yankees. His last year with the Yankees was 2017. He played in 69 games in the Marlins organization last year when he broke a finger and was sidelined for nine months.
Culver was a minor league teammate of Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, Gary Sanchez and Luis Severino.
DJ LeMahieu’s sixth-inning homer Tuesday night was his 13th, and all have been hit in the leadoff spot. The 13 homers are two short of his career high set in 2018. … Tuesday’s victory was the Yankees’ 28th comeback win of the season. Since April 13, they are 19-7 following a loss.
Outfielder Cameron Maybin ran, did agility drills and fielded ground balls in right field Tuesday. Maybin, who is on the IL due to a strained left calf, has been taking batting practice in the indoor cage and will graduate to hitting on the field Wednesday.
“As far as getting closer [to returning], yeah, but hitting has never been an issue for me,’’ said Maybin, who has been out since June 23. “I feel great, the leg feels good. I have passed every test with flying colors.’’
According to Boone, the reports on Deivi Garcia’s initial start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday night went well and the manager liked what he saw on film.
“He had a good presence. I watched a little over an inning and watched his stuff. It wasn’t as dominant as we have seen some of his outings, but a very good first showing in Triple-A,’’ Boone said of the 20-year-old right-hander several organizations believe is the Yankees’ top overall prospect. “The reports were he had a really good presence and flashed all pitches that have made him really special.’’
LeMahieu was named by the MLB Players Alumni Association as the Yankees’ nominee for the Heart and Hustle Award. It is the second time the Yankees’ MVP candidate has been nominated. The first time was 2015 with the Rockies. The award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game and embody the values, spirit and tradition of the game. The winner will be announced on Nov. 7, 2019.
Boone said a couple of days ago that Giancarlo Stanton’s return from a sprained right knee was going “a little bit slow’’ but has picked up.
“Just as far as trying to get that strength going and in the last couple of days, talking to Giancarlo [on Monday], he felt good about some of the breakthroughs he is starting to have in the last 24 to 48 hours,’’ Boone said. “Nothing he is doing is baseball related, it’s more of the rehab stuff now. It was slow for the first couple of weeks but I feel like in his eyes he is making a little bit more progress in the last couple of days.’’
The “Bottom Of The Ninth’’ movie premiers Friday at the Cinema Village in Greenwich Village. Sophia Vegara and Joe Manganiello star in the movie that also features co-star and associate producer Ray Negron.