Yankees report card: From Aaron Judge to Josh Donaldson, the ugly postseason grades are in
3 minute read
NEW YORK – While the Houston Astros’ latest pennant-winning celebration carried on across the way late Sunday night, they were saying their goodbyes in the New York Yankees clubhouse.
"They’re a really good team. So are we," said Jameson Taillon, after the Astros completed a four-game sweep of the American League Championship Series with a 6-5 win at Yankee Stadium.
"But they showed up when it mattered. Quality arms, quality at-bats – a little bit of everything."
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Here’s our final report card from another deeply disappointing pinstriped postseason:
Harrison Bader
The surprise No. 1 power source of postseason, going 10-for-30 (.333) with five homers, but that costly dropped fly ball in Game 3 remains an indelible ALCS image.
Grade: A
Wandy Peralta
Became the ALDS hero, appearing in all five games and on three straight days – saving elimination Game 4 and closing out Game 5 vs. Cleveland.
Grade: A-
Gerrit Cole
Won twice in the ALDS, coming up huge in elimination Game 4 at Cleveland. Why manager Aaron Boone lifted him in the sixth inning of ALCS Game 3 will resonate all winter.
Grade: B+
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Jonathan Loaisiga
Made six postseason appearances, pitched five scoreless innings in ALDS, was generally effective but took the loss in ALCS Game 4.
Grade: B+
Anthony Rizzo
On base in eight of nine postseason games, batted .276 (8-for-29) overall with two doubles, two homers and led the club with eight RBI.
Grade: B+
Clay Holmes
Technically five scoreless postseason appearances but yielded Alex Bregman’s go-ahead RBI single in ALCS Game 4.
Grade: B+
Nestor Cortes
Wasn’t at his best yet set the tone on short rest (5 IP, 1 run) in ALDS Game 5 clincher. Early exit in ALCS Game 4 (groin injury) hastened the Yanks’ postseason exit.
Grade: B
Giancarlo Stanton
His two ALDS hits were home runs but batted .167 overall. Some points for being pressed back into outfield service for two left field starts.
Grade: C
Lou Trivino
All anyone will remember of his first Yankee postseason is all three of Cole’s inherited runners scoring in ALCS Game 3.
Grade: C-
Luis Severino
Bottom line, charged with six runs over 11 innings in two postseason starts, both Yankees losses.
Grade: C-
Aaron Judge
The league’s MVP hit two homers against Cleveland but went 1-for-16 versus Houston, leaving him a grandly disappointing 5-for-36 (.139) overall.
Grade: D+
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Jameson Taillon
Took the loss in ALDS Game 2, coming out of the bullpen for the first time. Went just 4.1 innings (one run) in ALCS Game 1 at Houston.
Grade: D+
Clarke Schmidt
Didn’t appear again after Guardians’ walk-off win against him in ALDS Game 4 at Cleveland.
Grade: D
Gleyber Torres
Concluded a .176 postseason with zero extra-base hits by going 3-for-19 in the ALCS, with no RBI and a costly error in Game 4.
Grade: D
Jose Trevino
Primary duty is behind the plate, but provided next to nothing offensively, going 1-for-22 overall and 0-for-11 in the ALCS.
Grade: D
Oswaldo Cabrera
Rookie started eight of nine playoff games at either left field or shortstop but overall batted .071 (2-for-28) with a homer and went 0-for-9 in the ALCS.
Grade: D
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Kyle Higashioka
Backup catcher started two postseason games, went 0-for-6 overall with five Ks and a walk.
Grade: D
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Starting shortstop was benched in four postseason games due to defensive issues during the ALCS and batted a respectable-looking but shallow .278 (5-for-18).
Grade: F
Matt Carpenter
Added to the roster after missing two months (fractured foot) but couldn’t regain his rhythm, going 1-for-12 with nine strikeouts mainly as a pinch-hitter.
Grade: F
Josh Donaldson
Earned the extreme ire of Yankees fans with a beyond-poor ALCS (1-for-13, 10 strikeouts) to conclude an empty 5-for-29 (.172) postseason.
Grade: F
Manager Aaron Boone
Going to Schmidt, sticking with Carpenter, juggling leadoff/left field/shortstop decisions will linger, but removing Cole - and going with Trivino - will haunt the offseason.
Grade: D
Incomplete
OF Tim Locastro, RHP Frankie Montas, IF-OF Marwin Gonzalez, IF Oswald Peraza, OF Aaron Hicks, RHP Miguel Castro, RHP Domingo German.