The New York Yankees are shaking things up this spring by testing their 2022 shortstop, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, in center field. Kiner-Falefa was spotted shagging fly balls this week and is in the lineup at that position on Friday. While he struggled offensively last season, the Yankees see value in his versatility as a utility player who can cover catcher, shortstop, and third base. Testing him in center field will determine if he can increase his trade value or be a backup all over the diamond. In the meantime, the Yankees are looking to hand the shortstop position to one of their young prospects, with Oswald Peraza as the favorite, but Anthony Volpe also impressing this spring. It remains to be seen if Kiner-Falefa will be wearing another uniform at some point this year.
Important Details about The Yankees Have An IKF Experiment In Play On Friday –
– New York Yankees are trying Isiah Kiner-Falefa in center field this spring
– Kiner-Falefa was acquired as a shortstop stopgap, but struggled offensively last season
– The Yankees are testing him in multiple positions to increase his trade value
– The Yankees are looking to hand shortstop position to one of their exciting young prospects
– Oswald Peraza is the favorite, but Anthony Volpe is also impressing this spring
– Kiner-Falefa has likely lost his spot as an everyday player with his poor offensive performance in 2022
– He is a candidate to be traded or a backup player on the Yankees.
New York Yankees: Isiah Kiner-Falefa Transitioning to Center Field?
The New York Yankees are testing Isiah Kiner-Falefa in center field during spring training. Kiner-Falefa was acquired last season to be a stopgap at shortstop for a year but struggled offensively with just four homers and a .642 OPS. Despite his struggles, the Yankees have identified him as a valuable utility player who can cover catcher, shortstop, third base, and potentially center field. If he can adapt to playing outfield, it could increase his trade value, as he is no longer in the running for the starting shortstop job, which will likely go to Oswald Peraza or Anthony Volpe.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s 2022 Season
Isiah Kiner-Falefa was acquired by the New York Yankees last season to fill a temporary void at shortstop, as Didi Gregorius had left the team in free agency. Kiner-Falefa, a former Gold Glove winner at third base, was expected to be a versatile player who could fill in at several positions for the team. However, Kiner-Falefa’s offensive struggles overshadowed his defensive abilities. He hit just four homers and had a .642 OPS, one of the worst marks in the league for a regular, making him expendable as a starting shortstop.
Kiner-Falefa as a Utility Player
Despite his poor offensive performance, the Yankees believe that Kiner-Falefa could be a valuable utility player for the team. He has demonstrated great defensive skills in third base and shortstop. He can also play catcher and is being tested in center field to add to his versatility. Being able to play in multiple positions increases Kiner-Falefa’s trade value as he can be a valuable addition to any team. However, if he fails to transition to the outfield or if no teams are interested in him, he’s expected to remain a backup infielder for the team.
Kiner-Falefa’s Transition to Center Field
The Yankees are testing Isiah Kiner-Falefa in center field during spring training. Kiner-Falefa has been spotted shagging fly balls in this position, and he was listed in the center field position during one of the team’s spring training games. The Yankees are not expecting Kiner-Falefa to start in center field regularly. Instead, they are trying to see if he can play this position in a pinch, creating more options for the team’s defense during games. Kiner-Falefa’s versatility is something that could benefit the team in the long run, making him a more valuable player in the eyes of potential trade partners.
The Shortstop Position
With Kiner-Falefa out of the running for the shortstop position due to his poor offensive performance, the Yankees are looking to hand that position over to one of their up-and-coming prospects. The two most promising candidates are Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe. Peraza is the favorite to win the starting job at this point, having hit 20 homers and stolen 35 bases between Triple-A and the majors. Meanwhile, Volpe is impressing everyone in spring training despite his lack of Triple-A experience. Which of these young prospects the Yankees will ultimately choose to start at shortstop is unknown at this point.
Conclusion
With Isiah Kiner-Falefa transitioning to center field during spring training, the Yankees are taking steps to improve their team’s versatility. Kiner-Falefa’s poor offensive performance last season disqualified him for the shortstop role, but his defensive skills in multiple positions make him a valuable utility player. If he can add center field to his utility roster, the Yankees can have a more flexible and versatile defense in games, providing them with more options on the field. Additionally, if Kiner-Falefa adapts to center field successfully, it could increase his trade value in the eyes of potential trade partners. As for the shortstop position, the Yankees have two promising prospects in Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe, and it remains to be seen which one will emerge as the starter for the team.