One of the biggest questions surrounding the New York Yankees entering the 2012 season is what kind of production will New York get from Alex Rodriguez? The 36-year-old third baseman suffered through an injury-plagued 2011, playing in just 99 games and posting the worst power numbers of his career with only 16 home runs and 62 RBI.
Ten Spring Training games and 13 at-bats is hardly enough to declare A-Rod ready for a monster comeback season. So far, so good, however. Rodriguez has five hits in those 13 at-bats (a .385 average). More importantly to the Yankees three of those hits are for extra bases -- a home run and two doubles for a current slugging percentage of .769.
Here are a few other notables Spring Training stats for the Yankees at this point:
- Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter are off to good starts, each hitting .308 (4-for-13).
- Robinson Cano has just two hits in 13 at-bats (.154).
- New left-handed hitting designated hitter Raul Ibanez is just 2-for-18 (.111).
- Right-handed hitting designated hitter Andruw Jones is even worse, hitting .067 (1-for-15).
- Clay Rapada, bidding for a spot as a lefty specialist in the bullpen, has surrendered just one hit in 3.1 innings pitched.
- Hiroki Kuroda was hit hard in his one start thus far. The free-agent acquisition surrendered three runs in two inning for an ERA of 13.50.
- Highly-touted rookies Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances have not yet been scored upon. Banuelos has two appearances covering four innings, and Betances two appearances covering two innings.
-- See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees