The Yankees’ offense is getting a huge boost from slugger everyone thought was washed

Entering the 2024 season, the Yankees were hoping that former MVP and slugger Giancarlo Stanton would hit for average. The first few games of the season were disappointing, to say the least, as he struggled to pick up fastballs and find his groove.

However, Stanton’s last three games have showcased that he isn’t only a contributor but can also be a key component in the Yankees’ offense. Over nine games this season, Stanton is hitting .250/.270/.556, including three homers, six RBIs, and a 136 wRC+.

While Stanton is trying to reduce his 43.2% strike-out rate and boost his 2.7% walk rate, nobody is complaining about his recent production. Over the last three games, he’s collected six hits, including two homers, four runs, and five RBIs. He hasn’t posted a wRC+ below 253 over that small sample, logging an average exit velocity of 101.5 mph against the Miami Marlins on Monday evening.

The Yankees Are Getting a Different Version of Stanton

The interesting thing is that Stanton isn’t only aiming for home runs; he’s also picking up hits and playing the game with a bit more diversity, not focusing on mashing balls out of the park. His hard-hit percentage is now up to 45% and has a 15% barrel rate, but his launch angle is at a career low of 4.7°. That is an interesting development, indicating that Stanton is trying to drive the ball into the field of play rather than out of the stadium.