The Yankees have often been criticized here their lack of speed and athleticism, something one minor trade won’t fix, but recently acquired Tim Locastro has given the team a burst of speed and energy during the team’s three-game winning streak.
Locastro’s energy was on display on Wednesday night when he bounced a seemingly routine base hit up the middle that he stretched into a double, and scored shortly after on a two-run home run by Aaron Judge to open up a 5-0 lead for the Yanks. It was the third run scored for Locastro in his last two games, as he has made the most of his time on the bases and given the Yanks a lift in an area they desperately needed.
“What an athlete,” Judge said. “He can play all outfield positions. We saw him show off that speed a little but today. It was a routine base hit up the middle, but out of the box he’s sprinting hard. He’s a guy that hustles. He gives 110 percent every single day and every single play. It’s been fun to have him. He’s gonna be a big part of this outfield…we’re excited to have him. He fits right in.”
Locastro’s presence also gives an opportunity for Judge to get a break in center field and move back to his natural position in right, which comes at a good time when Clint Frazier is on the IL with vertigo. Locastro came to the Yanks with offensive numbers even worse than the struggling Brett Gardner’s, but in a very small sample size, he has been able to show his worth in other areas.
“It’s obviously elite speed and and really play the outfield, and he’s really contributed for us at the bottom of the order,” Aaron Boone said. “Big walk the other night, a couple hits tonight, and when you have that athleticism and that speed, which is a little bit of an added dimension for us, I think it brings a little energy to the ballclub.”
Locastro had two hits in Wednesday’s win and has three hits in his last two games, which feels like an added bonus for an acquisition not expected to do too much at the plate. Locastro likely won’t be an unexpected impact trade like Luke Voit or Gio Urshela, but so far, he has been an asset for his the club he dreamed about playing for as a young fan.
“I’m just trying to help this team win any way I can,” Locastro said. “The last few days we’ve had a few good wins, and we’ve got one more game here in Seattle and three more before the break, and want to keep it going.
“It’s been great. The guys here are unbelievable. They’ve made we feel very welcomed, and I want to continue this.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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