The Yankees took a shot on several fringe major-leaguers this year, to varying degrees of success. Jake Bauers and Billy McKinney, both former first-round picks, have been bang-up reclamation projects for Aaron Boone and the coaching staff. Both have unexpectedly held down mostly everyday outfield duties, at least against right-handed starting pitchers.
McKinney’s modest breakout year has some signs of being sustainable. Results-based stats check all the boxes of an above-average offensive contributor. McKinney carries a 108 wRC+ in 123 plate appearances, and an 111 wRC+ since the All-Star Break. Not a star, but the kind of quality production that helps fill out a lineup in the spots after Aaron Judge.