Meet the 2019 Yankees: Tyler Wade

Every year, for whatever reason, the odd man out of the Yankees 25-man roster always seems to be Tyler Wade. Now, granted, Wade has not done himself any favors offensively at the Major League level, but his defense remains versatile and above league average at multiple positions. Versatility sometimes isn’t enough, and it likely won’t be enough this year as well with the additions of DJ LeMahieu, Troy Tulowitzki and others. Wade may find himself either on the Yankees bench at the beginning of the 2019 season, or he may find himself back at Triple-A with the Scranton RailRiders. Here’s to the former, and not the latter, as we meet the man with a very active Instagram account, Mr. Tyler Wade.

Tyler Wade, 24-years old, is listed as a right-handed throwing and left-handed batting shortstop and second baseman but has the ability to play all over the infield and all over the outfield as well, including in center field. The only position that Wade hasn’t really played professionally is the catcher and first base positions. Wade, listed at 6’1” and just 185 lbs., has excelled at the Triple-A level only to struggle with the bat at the Major League level for whatever reason.

Tyler Dean Wade was born on November 23, 1994 in Murrieta, California where he attended Murrieta Valley High School. Wade had committed to attending San Diego State University after his High School years were complete, but the New York Yankees came calling in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft. Wade ultimately decided to forego his commitment and signed with the Yankees for a $371,300 signing bonus.

Wade spent the 2013-2015 seasons in the minor leagues with New York, leading the Yankees to invite Wade to their spring training camp before the 2016 season. Wade did not make the team out of spring and spent the entire 2016 season down in Double-A with the Trenton Thunder. Wade was back in Yankees camp in 2017 and was competing for a starting job after New York learned that Didi Gregorius would start the season on the disabled list, but ultimately began the season down in Triple-A with the RailRiders. Wade was promoted to the big leagues on June 27, 2017 and was optioned and recalled multiple times throughout the season. In 30 games with the Yankees, Wade finished with a .155/.222/.224.

Wade was invited to camp with the Yankees once again in 2018, and this time made the team on Opening Day wearing Chase Headley’s recently vacated #12 jersey. Wade struggled with the Yankees out of the gate and was optioned back to Triple-A on April 22, once again bouncing back and forth between Scranton and the Yankees. Wade will look to make the team once again here in 2019, but this time he will look to stick on the roster for much of the season. Good luck Tyler!!