Miguel Andújar was once one of the most promising prospects in the New York Yankees’ farm system. He burst onto the scene in 2018, hitting .297 with 27 home runs and 92 RBIs in his rookie season.
However, since then, Andújar’s career has taken a downward turn. He struggled on defense, particularly at third base, and was eventually moved to the outfield.
His offensive production also declined, leading to decreased playing time and eventually his departure from the Yankees.
In this blog post, we will examine the factors that contributed to Andújar’s struggles and discuss what the future may hold for him in baseball.
Early Career
Miguel Andújar was born on March 2, 1995, in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. He signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent in 2011, and spent several years working his way through the minor leagues.
Andújar made his Major League debut with the Yankees on June 28, 2017, against the Chicago White Sox. He appeared in 5 games that season, but only had 4 at-bats and did not record a hit.
The following year, Andújar won the starting job at third base for the Yankees out of spring training. He quickly established himself as one of the team’s top hitters, finishing the season with a .297 batting average, 27 home runs, and 92 RBIs.
Andújar finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, behind Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels.
Andújar’s rookie season was highlighted by several impressive performances, including a 4-for-4 game with a home run and 4 RBIs against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 16, 2018. He also had a walk-off RBI single against the Baltimore Orioles on July 10, 2018.
Andújar’s strong offensive performance helped the Yankees reach the playoffs in 2018, where they advanced to the American League Division Series before being eliminated by the Boston Red Sox.
Defensive Struggles
While Andújar’s offensive performance was impressive in his rookie year, his defense at third base was often a topic of concern. He committed 15 errors at the position in 2018, which tied for the third-most in the American League.
Andújar’s defensive struggles continued in 2019, and he was ultimately sidelined by a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.
In 2020, the Yankees decided to try Andújar out in the outfield, hoping that the change of position would allow him to contribute to the team while improving his defensive skills.
However, Andújar’s struggles continued in the outfield, and he made several costly errors that led to runs for opposing teams.
The Yankees continued to give Andújar opportunities to prove himself, but his defensive struggles ultimately led to decreased playing time. He appeared in just 21 games in 2021, and spent much of the season at the team’s alternate training site.
Andújar’s defensive shortcomings were a major factor in the Yankees’ decision to move on from him. While his offensive production was still impressive at times, the team could not justify keeping him on the roster if he was unable to contribute defensively.
Offensive Performance
Miguel Andújar’s offensive performance was the primary reason for his success and recognition as a top prospect in the Yankees’ farm system. In his rookie season, he hit .297 with 27 home runs, 92 RBIs, and an OPS of .855. He also finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.
However, in 2019, Andújar’s production at the plate declined, as he hit just .128 in 47 plate appearances before being sidelined by a season-ending injury.
In the limited playing time he received in 2020 and 2021, Andújar struggled to find consistency at the plate, hitting just .232 in 104 plate appearances over those two seasons.
It’s possible that Andújar’s defensive struggles impacted his offensive performance. When a player is struggling defensively, it can create added pressure and stress that can carry over to their performance at the plate.
Additionally, the reduced playing time that came with his defensive issues could have contributed to his inability to find a rhythm at the plate.
Despite his struggles in recent years, Andújar has shown that he has the potential to be a productive hitter at the major league level.
If he is able to address his defensive shortcomings and find a more stable role with a team, he could potentially regain the form that made him one of the most promising young players in baseball just a few years ago.
Departure From the Yankees
In February 2022, the Yankees announced that they had designated Miguel Andújar for assignment, removing him from their 40-man roster to make room for new acquisitions. Andújar was later traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.
However, Andújar’s time with the Pirates was short-lived. He struggled in spring training and was ultimately released by the team on March 29, 2022, making him a free agent.
The Yankees’ decision to move on from Andújar was likely due to a combination of factors. His defensive struggles and lack of a clear position made it difficult for the team to justify keeping him on the roster, particularly given the crowded outfield situation and the presence of several other third base options.
Additionally, the team may have been looking to clear roster space and reduce payroll, as Andújar was due to make over $2 million in arbitration in 2022.
While Andújar’s departure from the Yankees was certainly disappointing for fans of the team, it was not entirely unexpected given his struggles in recent years.
However, it remains to be seen whether Andújar will be able to rebound with a new team and regain the form that made him such a promising player in his rookie season.
Future Prospects
Despite his struggles in recent years, there is still potential for Miguel Andújar to catch on with another team in the future. He is still just 27 years old and has shown flashes of the talent that made him a top prospect in the Yankees’ system.
It’s possible that a change of scenery or a more defined role could help him regain his confidence and find success at the major league level.
In terms of areas of improvement, Andújar’s defense is the most obvious area that needs work. He struggled mightily at both third base and in the outfield, and improving his defense will be crucial if he wants to find regular playing time with a new team.
Additionally, he will need to become more selective at the plate and cut down on his strikeouts, which have been a problem throughout his career.
Despite his struggles, Andújar leaves behind a mixed legacy with the Yankees. His impressive rookie season showed that he has the potential to be a star player, but his defensive struggles and subsequent decline in production made him expendable in the eyes of the team.
However, he will always be remembered as a promising young player who showed flashes of greatness during his time in pinstripes.
Miguel Andújar’s key statistics during his time with the New York Yankees:
| Year | Games Played | Plate Appearances | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | 14 | .571 | 0 | 4 |
| 2018 | 149 | 606 | .297 | 27 | 92 |
| 2019 | 12 | 47 | .128 | 1 | 4 |
| 2020 | 21 | 62 | .242 | 1 | 5 |
| 2021 | 99 | 319 | .251 | 11 | 47 |
As we can see from the table, Andújar had a strong rookie season in 2018 but struggled in the years that followed. While his offensive production showed some signs of improvement in 2021, his defensive struggles ultimately led to his departure from the team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Miguel Andújar’s natural position?
Miguel Andújar is a third baseman by trade, but he was also tried out in the outfield by the Yankees in 2020 and 2021.
What was Miguel Andújar’s rookie season like?
Andújar burst onto the scene in 2018, hitting .297 with 27 home runs and 92 RBI in 149 games for the Yankees. He finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting that season.
Why did the Yankees designate Miguel Andújar for assignment in 2022?
The Yankees designated Andújar for assignment to make room for new acquisitions on their 40-man roster. They later traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.
What was Miguel Andújar’s offensive production like after his rookie season?
Andújar struggled at the plate in 2019 and 2020, hitting just .215 and .242 respectively. He showed some improvement in 2021, hitting .251 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI in 99 games.
What are some potential landing spots for Miguel Andújar?
It’s difficult to predict where Andújar might end up, but teams in need of a third baseman or corner outfielder could be potential fits. Some teams that have been mentioned as possibilities include the Seattle Mariners, Milwaukee Brewers, and San Francisco Giants.
To Recap
Miguel Andújar’s time with the New York Yankees was marked by both promise and disappointment. His impressive rookie season in 2018 showed that he had the potential to be a star player, but his struggles on defense and subsequent decline in offensive production made him expendable in the eyes of the team.
Despite his departure, there is still potential for Andújar to find success with another team in the future, particularly if he is able to improve his defense and become more selective at the plate.
Regardless of what the future holds for him, Andújar will always be remembered as a promising young player who showed flashes of greatness during his time in the majors.
