No Juan Soto in Yankees Leadoff Spot? Aaron Boone Floats Mystery Hitter Who’s Already in Tampa

The Bombers have certainly become explosive. Since they saw a nadir in 2023, the New York Yankees have focused on their hitting. The addition of Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo was the biggest shot in the arm. But there was a side-effect – the fans started creating a perfect batting lineup and asking if Soto could be a leadoff. Well, not so fast there. 

If one goes by the words of Aaron Boone, the Yankees may have a different plan. While it’s true that Soto and Aaron Judge will go back to back, the Dominican slugger won’t be the one leading off the attack. There are three options that could be perfect for that spot, per Boone.

New York Yankees manager shares who he envisions as a lead-off

The explosiveness of Soto and Judge can be maximized if they already have an on-base player. That’s the idea on which Aaron Boone is working on. For this one name sticks out more than others. In an appearance in the Foul Territory, Boone shared that name – DJ LeMahieu. 

“I really feel excited about the way DJ finished the season last year and the winter he’s had. He’s in Tampa, already getting rolling. So I’m hopeful that he gets back to being the player he was in the second half – where he’s getting on base a turn and can solve that lead-off spot for us,” said Boone. 

LeMahieu’s 2023 was a classic tale of two halves. His season began disastrously with the Yankees’ contact hitter could not make hits. With an average of .220 and a strikeout rate of touching 25%, LeMahieu was on pace to get his worst career numbers. But then the Pinstripes laid off their hitting coach Dillon Lawson and appointed Sean Casey. 

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Casey’s arrival acted as an elixir for LaMieu. With the coach immediately catching the issue in the slugger’s swinging speed, the two worked together to solve it. After that, LaMieu returned to his normal self and slashed .273/.377/.432. The relative high end to his season does make him an apt leadoff for the Soto/Judge duo. But LaMieu isn’t the only one on Boone’s list.

Boone’s mind is filled with names 

Aaron Boone was quick to point out that he also sees Alex Verdugo as a possible leadoff option. Verdugo had a good record as Boston Red Sox’s lead-off, with him being only the third player since 1900 in MLB to hit a home run in three consecutive games as a lead-off, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Pinstripes would love to see that explosiveness in the Yankee Stadium.

Gleyber Torres was another name bounced around by Boone. The Yankees have been trying to fit Torres in the first base role for a long time. 2024 could be the year they find a permanent place for him. With so much to do, Aaron Boone surely has his hands full right now.

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