In the world of baseball, players’ roles on their teams can be constantly evolving. This is especially true for players who have a history of injuries or inconsistent performance. One such player is Luke Voit, the first baseman for the New York Yankees.
Voit has shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the team, but he has also battled injuries and struggled with consistency.
Recently, Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced that Voit would be the starting first baseman, but many fans and analysts are wondering if this designation will last. In this blog post, we’ll explore the question of whether Luke Voit is a starter and what factors may impact his role on the Yankees in the future.
Luke Voit’s History With the Yankees
Luke Voit joined the New York Yankees in 2018 via a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. He quickly became a fan favorite with his impressive power-hitting and passionate play on the field.
In 2019, Voit had a breakout season, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 62 runs in just 118 games. However, he also suffered from a sports hernia that required surgery, which caused him to miss significant playing time.
In 2020, Voit led the majors in home runs with 22 in just 56 games, earning him the American League’s Silver Slugger award. However, he also dealt with foot injuries that caused him to miss time in both the regular season and the playoffs.
Voit’s injury woes continued into the 2021 season, as he was placed on the injured list four times with various ailments, including a knee injury and an oblique strain. During his time on the injured list, the Yankees acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs in a trade deadline deal.
Rizzo quickly became a key player for the Yankees, providing solid defense at first base and adding some left-handed power to the lineup. With Rizzo’s arrival, Voit’s role on the team became unclear.
Despite the uncertainty, Voit continued to produce when he was healthy, hitting .277 with 11 home runs and 28 RBI in just 49 games. This performance likely played a role in Boone’s recent announcement that Voit would be the starting first baseman moving forward.
However, with Rizzo set to become a free agent at the end of the season, it’s unclear what Voit’s long-term future with the team will be.
Luke Voit’s Performance in 2021
Luke Voit’s performance in the 2021 season was hindered by his multiple stints on the injured list. He played in just 49 games and had 173 plate appearances, which is a relatively small sample size compared to other first basemen in the league.
Despite the limited playing time, Voit was still productive at the plate. He hit .277 with an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of .838, which is above the league average for first basemen.
He also hit 11 home runs, which ranked him 15th among all first basemen in the league despite his limited playing time. In terms of advanced metrics, his wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) of 126 was also above the league average.
When compared to other first basemen who played in at least 100 games during the season, Voit’s numbers were not quite as impressive. For example, Vlad Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays hit .311 with an OPS of 1.000 and 48 home runs.
Pete Alonso of the New York Mets hit .262 with an OPS of .870 and 37 home runs. However, it’s worth noting that Voit’s numbers were produced in a much smaller sample size than those of his peers.
Overall, Voit’s performance in the 2021 season was solid when he was able to play, but his limited playing time makes it difficult to compare him to other first basemen in the league who played more games.
Voit’s Future With the Yankees
Luke Voit’s future with the Yankees is uncertain and will depend on several factors.
One of the biggest factors is his health. Voit has a history of injuries, and his ability to stay on the field and produce will be crucial in determining his future with the team. If he is unable to stay healthy, the Yankees may look to move on from him in favor of a more reliable option.
Another factor is his performance. Voit has shown that he can be a productive hitter when healthy, but his consistency has been an issue at times. If he can continue to produce at a high level and show improved consistency, he may be able to secure a long-term role with the team.
The team’s needs will also play a role in Voit’s future with the Yankees. If the team feels that they need to prioritize defense at first base, they may opt to go with a player like Anthony Rizzo, who is a superior defender. However, if they prioritize offense, Voit may be the better option.
There have also been trade rumors surrounding Voit in the past. If the Yankees feel that they can acquire a better option at first base via trade, they may choose to move on from Voit.
However, given his injury history and the uncertainty surrounding his performance, it’s unclear what kind of return the team would be able to get in a trade.
Overall, Voit’s future with the Yankees is uncertain, and it will depend on his health, performance, and the team’s needs. If he can stay healthy and continue to produce at a high level, he could secure a long-term role with the team.
However, if his injuries and inconsistency continue to be an issue, the team may opt to move on from him in favor of a more reliable option.
Luke Voit’s 2021 Stats to Those of Other First Basemen in the League
| Player | Games Played | Plate Appearances | Home Runs | RBIs | Batting Average | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Voit | 60 | 236 | 11 | 28 | .232 | .753 |
| Freddie Freeman (ATL) | 159 | 723 | 31 | 83 | .300 | .892 |
| Matt Olson (OAK) | 152 | 639 | 39 | 111 | .271 | .918 |
| Anthony Rizzo (CHC/NYY) | 142 | 611 | 23 | 79 | .248 | .784 |
The table shows that while Voit’s home run and RBI numbers were respectable, his batting average and OPS were lower than those of other first basemen in the league.
This highlights the importance of consistency in Voit’s performance, as he will need to improve his overall offensive output to establish himself as a long-term starting first baseman for the Yankees.
FAQs
Has Luke Voit ever won any awards or accolades during his time with the Yankees?
Yes, Voit was named the American League Player of the Week in September 2020 after hitting .583 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in six games.
How does Voit’s salary compare to other first basemen in the league?
Voit’s salary is relatively low compared to other first basemen in the league. He is currently under contract for $4.7 million for the 2022 season, which is significantly less than the salaries of players like Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt.
What other teams might be interested in trading for Voit?
It’s difficult to say which teams might be interested in trading for Voit, as it will depend on his performance and the needs of other teams. However, any team in need of a power-hitting first baseman could potentially be interested in him.
How does Voit’s defense at first base compare to other players in the league?
Voit’s defense at first base has been criticized at times, as he is not known for his range or athleticism. Other first basemen in the league, like Anthony Rizzo and Matt Olson, are generally considered to be better defenders.
Is there any chance that the Yankees will move Voit to a different position, such as designated hitter?
It’s possible that the Yankees could consider moving Voit to the designated hitter position, as they currently have a vacancy there. However, this would depend on the team’s needs and whether they feel that Voit’s bat is more valuable in the lineup than his defense at first base.
Conclusion
Luke Voit’s future as a starting first baseman with the New York Yankees remains uncertain. While he has shown the ability to be a productive hitter when healthy, his injury history and inconsistency raise concerns about his long-term role with the team.
Additionally, the team’s needs and potential trade rumors could impact his future with the organization.
Nonetheless, Voit’s performance in the 2021 season was solid, and if he can stay healthy and continue to produce at a high level, he could be a valuable asset for the Yankees in the future.
Ultimately, time will tell whether Voit will be able to solidify his position as the team’s starting first baseman or if they will need to explore other options to fill the position.
