Meet the 2019 Yankees: DJ LeMahieu

On January 14^th, 2019 the New York Yankees signed second baseman DJ LeMahieu to a two-year deal worth $24 million. While many said the deal came out of nowhere, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I called it back on October of 2018. I saw something in DJ early on and the New York Yankees obviously did as well, so let’s meet our 2019 New York Yankees. DJ LeMahieu, everybody.

LeMahieu, 30-years old, stands 6’4” and weighs in at 215 lbs. LeMahieu bats from the right side and throws from the right side and will likely be the Yankees starting second baseman for much of the 2019 season, although the Yankees have already instructed DJ to bring “a lot of gloves” with him as the team plans to play him all over the infield.

David John LeMahieu was born on July 13, 1988 in Visalia, California. LeMahieu’s parents moved him and his family out to Michigan where DJ attended Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan. While at the school, DJ played shortstop and pitched for the school’s baseball team before committing to the LSU Tigers at Louisiana State. As a senior, the Detroit Tigers drafted LeMahieu in the 41^st round of the 2007 MLB First Year Players Draft. LeMahieu decided to not sign with Detroit and head to LSU to begin his collegiate career. While at LSU LeMahieu was moved to his natural position of second base during the 2009 season. LeMahieu led the LSU Tigers to the postseason and all the way to the College World Series in 2009 before winning the National Championship and 2009 College World Series All-Tournament Team honors.

The wave of emotions was not done during 2009, not by a long shot, as the Chicago Cubs came calling in the second round, 79^th overall, of the 2009 MLB First Year Players Draft. LeMahieu signed with Chicago and officially began his professional career with the Peoria Chiefs. LeMahieu remained in the Cubs organization through the 2011 season until Chicago traded their second baseman, along with Tyler Colvin, to the Colorado Rockies for Casey Weathers and Ian Stewart. LeMahieu would make his MLB debut with the Rockies the next season after Colorado called DJ up on May 23, 2012 and would remain in the majors after a strong rookie campaign.

LeMahieu would win his first National League Gold Glove Award in 2014 with 16 defensive runs saved for the Rockies. DJ followed that up by being named the National League’s starting second baseman for the All-Star Game in 2015, his first selection to the Mid-Summer Classic, and his first National League batting title in 2016 hitting .348. LeMahieu made another trip to the All-Star Game in 2017, replacing injured second baseman Dee Gordon, while also winning the Fielding Bible Award as well this season. LeMahieu would win his second National League Gold Glove Award in 2018 before hitting the free agent market this winter.

LeMahieu is a great defensive player and a player with opposite field power and control, both of which will fit in well with the Yankees and inside Yankee Stadium. In my opinion we could see LeMahieu hit 20+ home runs this season while hitting at or above the .300 mark while providing Gold Glove Award winning defense all over the field, especially at second base.

DJ, welcome to the organization, welcome to the team, welcome to the big lights and the big city, but most importantly… welcome to the family. 2019 is World Series or bust for New York and their fans, so no pressure.