I know it is probably the most cliché thing you can say
about a veteran player that was signed by a team either in transition or
towards the end of a rebuild but this is truly what is going on in the Bronx
right now with their newly acquired designated hitter Matt Holliday. Holliday
was signed to mash from the right side of the plate as a designated hitter, to
add some insurance and depth at both the first base and outfield positions and
to give the Yankees another big presence in the middle of the order but it
seems like he may have been signed for another reason as well. Holliday may
have been signed as a mentor for the young Yankees and may have also been
signed to be a leader for the team. If he wasn’t signed with that purpose in
mind he has taken it upon himself anyway to take the job with open arms, you
know like a true Yankee would.
Holliday is specifically working with one of the Yankees top
prospects Aaron Judge and he has a lot to potentially bring to the right
fielder. About 11 years ago Holliday added a leg kick to his swing that would
forever change his career as he immediately became one of the most potent
hitters in baseball. From 2006-2012 after adding his leg kick Holliday averaged
a .316/.393/.544 triple slash with 28 home runs, 104 RBI and 102 runs scored
average per season. Holliday also made six All-Star teams during that
seven-year span and will look to do the same for Judge and his career after an
abysmal start to his MLB career in 2016.
Holliday has been surrounded by leaders and coaches his
entire life so it makes sense that he is now in the position to pass along that
knowledge. Holliday’s father, Tom, was the assistant baseball coach at Oklahoma
State and Holliday spent time with players like Todd Helton and Albert Pujols
as a younger player in his career. Now Holliday looks to be to Judge what
Pujols, Helton and his father were to him because Holliday is a leader and is
already showing that in his short time with the Yankees.
Judge was seen taking batting practice at George M.
Steinbrenner field this week when Holliday walked up to Judge and said
something to him. The very next pitch Judge belted over the fence for a home
run, which is obviously very encouraging. If Holliday can work with the Yankees
presumed everyday right fielder and get that kind of immediate success we could
be in for a great season in 2017.