The #NextManUp mentality was a calling card of the 2019 Yankees season. Miguel Andujar was a Rookie of the Year finalist in 2018, and the eyes of the Yankee universe were on just how he’d answer all that pressure in 2019. On April 2nd, he tore his labrum, putting him on the shelf for the year and giving the starting third base job to Mr. Gio Urshela.
For half a season, Urshela was even better than his replacement, with a 117 wRC+ and league-average defense. The fault in Andujar’s game has always been the defensive side, and Urshela seemed to balance that with a good, if not great, glove and a perfectly serviceable stick.