The New York Yankees have reached the quarter mark of the 2021 season, and there have been some standout performances, as well as some disappointing ones. In this article, we will take a look at some of the notable Yankees’ award winners at the quarter mark.
MVP – Anthony Rizzo
Although Anthony Rizzo has only played 10 games for the New York Yankees, he has already made an impact on the team and become a fan favorite. In those 10 games, Rizzo has hit four home runs and driven in 11 runs. He has also provided excellent defense at first base, something that the Yankees have been lacking for a few years.
Rizzo’s energy and leadership have also been a breath of fresh air for the Yankees. He has become a vocal presence in the clubhouse and on the field, and his positive attitude has helped the team through some tough times. It’s safe to say that the Yankees wouldn’t have climbed back into the playoff race without his contributions.
LVP – Aaron Hicks
While there have been some tough decisions when it comes to the LVP (least valuable player), Aaron Hicks stands out as the worst performer on the Yankees roster at the quarter mark. Hicks, who is under contract through the 2025 season, has struggled mightily at the plate this year. In 43 games, Hicks is hitting just .194 with four home runs and 14 RBI. He has also struck out 52 times, which is the most on the team.
Hicks’ lack of production has been a huge disappointment, especially considering the expectations that were placed on him. He was supposed to be a key part of the Yankees lineup, but he has been anything but that so far this season. Hicks has also been shaky defensively, making a few misplays in center field that have cost the Yankees runs.
Other notable awards:
Best Pitcher – Gerrit Cole: This one was a no-brainer. Cole has been an absolute ace for the Yankees this year, as he leads the team in wins (7), ERA (2.26), and strikeouts (97).
Best Rookie – Deivi Garcia: Although Garcia has only made a few appearances this year, he has shown flashes of the potential that made him one of the Yankees’ top pitching prospects. He has a 3.38 ERA in four games (two starts) and has struck out 16 batters in 13.1 innings.
Best Comeback – Gio Urshela: After a slow start to the season, Urshela has turned it on in May. He is hitting .429 with four home runs and 11 RBI in his last 10 games and has been a key contributor to the Yankees’ recent surge.
In conclusion, the Yankees have had some notable performances, both good and bad, at the quarter mark of the season. Anthony Rizzo has been a standout addition to the team and has provided a huge boost to the lineup and clubhouse. Aaron Hicks, unfortunately, has been a major disappointment and will need to turn things around if he wants to avoid being labeled as a bust. Gerrit Cole continues to be the team’s ace, while Deivi Garcia and Gio Urshela have shown promise and potential. The second quarter of the season will be interesting to watch, as the Yankees look to climb even further up the standings.
