Giancarlo Stanton went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Tuesday night, dropping his season batting average to .196 and his OPS to a lowly .680.
As the slugger continues to struggle in a time where the Aaron Judge-less Yankees desperately need him, Keith McPherson says the key to unlocking Stanton’s offensive production is by starting him in the outfield.
“He was supposed to do that Saturday, and it rained, but we’ve now played three games,” Keith said. “I don’t think they really want to put him in the outfield, but I think they need to put him in the outfield.
“That’s the key to getting him going. Get his blood flowing, let him get a little sweat, feel the crowd, get into the game.”
Stanton has a reputation of needing weeks after returning from the IL to get his timing back at the plate, but Keith, as Stanton has mentioned himself, says time in the field will accelerate that process and keep Stanton more engaged. The Yankees clearly have concerns, as more time on his feet means more chances for more lower body injuries that have plagued his New York tenure, but Keith says the risk is worth the potential reward.
“Stop playing for the future and preparing for October,” Keith said.
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