AL East 2017 Positional Rankings: Injuries Catch Up to Several Shortstops
By Nate Wardle
1. New York Yankees – Didi Gregorius, Ronald Torreyes
After being traded from Arizona to New York, many thought the bright lights of replacing Derek Jeter would wilt Didi Gregorius.
In 2017, Didi showed that won’t be the case.
The Yankees’ SS hit .287/.318/.478 with 25 home runs, 27 doubles, 73 runs scored, and 87 runs batted in. He also is a player who does not strike out a ton, helping to balance a Yankees line up with several free swingers.
Gregorius had a 3.6 offensive WAR and a 0.9 defensive WAR, a very good season.
It also was his best defensive season, making nine errors in 513 chances with a .982 fielding percentage. His range numbers were also below league average, but better than Bogaerts.
Didi carried the third best fielding percentage among short stops, helping to prove his worth to the New York Yankees.
Next: Orioles Interested in Jason Vargas, Andrew Cashner
Just now eligible for arbitration, Gregorius has a big pay day coming, and also will be in pinstripes for at least the next few years.