3 key roster battles unfolding at Yanks camp

This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

There are already conversations transpiring behind closed doors at Yankees camp, where general manager Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone can see difficult decisions on the horizon.

Trimming a spring roster from 69 players to 26 is no simple task, made infinitely more difficult -- in a good way -- as the club’s top prospects continue to impress.

“It’s early. I’ve seen a lot of things that I’ve liked, but I also want this just to play out,” Boone said. “Right now, I’m looking at it as, I’ve got to get these guys ready for the season in the best possible ways. As we get closer and closer, we’ll start having those debates in more earnest.”

Here is a rundown of where the club’s three most important position battles stand:

Battle 1: Isiah Kiner-Falefa vs. Oswald Peraza vs. Anthony Volpe

Coming into the spring, Peraza appeared to have the edge to serve as the Opening Day shortstop, backed by a strong September and a start during the postseason. That may still be the case, with Boone saying that Kiner-Falefa could shift into a utility role if he’s not the starter, but the decision has been complicated by Volpe’s excellent spring so far. All three players will see time at shortstop and second base to increase their flexibility.

The Yankees’ top prospect and baseball’s No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, Volpe is batting .353 (6-for-17) with a home run through six Grapefruit League games. Though he has collected just 99 plate appearances at Triple-A, the Yankees are open to the idea of the 21-year-old Volpe forcing his way north if he proves to be the best option by the end of camp. A trade of Kiner-Falefa, who started 131 games at shortstop last season, remains possible.

Quote to note: “I think he’s got all the makeup tools. He checks a lot of boxes -- defensively, offensively. He’s a tough at-bat. He’s got the speed, which is a big factor now in the game. My thing has always been, if you’re the best player, it shouldn’t matter your age. You should be up helping the New York Yankees. It doesn’t matter if you’re 19 or 41. If you’re the best guy for the job, you should be playing.” -- Aaron Judge, on Volpe

Battle 2: Oswaldo Cabrera vs. Estevan Florial vs. Aaron Hicks

Cashman said he believed Hicks would break camp as the starting left fielder, and the switch-hitter says he is in a much better place than last season, mentally and physically. Hicks is hitting .333 (5-for-15) with a homer through six games.

While Cabrera is hitting .263 (5-for-19) with two homers through seven games and is capable of playing all three outfield positions, the club values his versatility; Boone describes him more as an infielder who occasionally plays the outfield.

One wrinkle in the equation is that Judge has volunteered to play left field, making his first start at the position on Wednesday. Judge is scheduled to play left field again on Thursday, an alignment that Boone hopes would permit Giancarlo Stanton to make as many as 60 starts in the outfield this season.

Some of those could come on days when Judge is the designated hitter, of course, but that added roster flexibility might result in Hicks receiving less playing time than he’d expect. Florial is out of Minor League options, and non-roster invitees Willie Calhoun and Rafael Ortega are also having nice springs.

Quote to note: “It’s a new season, so that’s what you’ve got to focus on. Take advantage of the opportunities that I have and go have fun, play baseball. I’ve just got to have a good Spring Training and play solid defense, and pretty much make it to a point where I’m in there every single day, and we never have to talk about this again.” -- Hicks

Editor's Note: The Yankees announced on Thursday morning that Carlos Rodón will begin the season on the IL.

Battle 3: Domingo Germán vs. Clarke Schmidt

Four of the five slots in the rotation are guaranteed, with Boone recently saying that he expects Gerrit Cole, Rodón and Luis Severino to pitch the season-opening series against the Giants. The battle for the fifth rotation spot between Germán and Schmidt is actually for the No. 4 spot, since Nestor Cortes is being brought along slowly following a hamstring injury and will begin the year as the No. 5 starter.

So far, Germán seems to have the edge based on his previous experience and spring performance. Through 5 1/3 spring innings, Germán has permitted just a run on two hits (1.69 ERA), striking out seven with one walk. Schmidt has allowed four runs over 3 2/3 innings (9.82 ERA). However, the pitcher not slotted into the rotation could still break camp as a reliever, especially after a recent injury to Tommy Kahnle, who may not be ready on March 30.

Quote to note: “There’s no pressure. Honestly, the way I look at it is, if there’s a competition, I’m competing with myself. I’m trying to be better every single outing. That’s my competition right there. Just keep improving, keep putting the work in and find ways to keep getting better.” -- Germán