Miguel Andujar Wields Potential Impact Bat

The 22-year-old third baseman played well enough at Double-A Trenton to be promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in mid-June, and he hit .315/.352/.498 with 16 home runs and 82 RBIs in 125 games at the two levels.

“He is an impact offensive player and a very athletic player,” general manager Brian Cashman said of Andujar, who raised questions about his defense in spring training but, according to scouts who followed him this season, that aspect has improved tremendously.

Asked if the 6-foot, 215-pound Andujar could force his way into the big leagues next year, Cashman said, “A spot for him remains to be seen.” That’s because the Yankees owe Chase Headley $13 million for next season.

Best Pitcher: RHP Chance Adams

A 2015 fifth-rounder out of Dallas Baptist, Adams was drafted as a reliever but has thrived as a starter in 2016 and 2017. In 27 starts at Trenton and Scranton this year, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound righthander went 15-5, 2.45 and allowed 81 hits in 115.1 innings.

With the impending free agency of C.C. Sabathia and Michael Pineda, and with Masahiro Tanaka having an opt-out clause, the Yankees could be looking for rotation help during the winter in trades or the free agent market. Or for the second straight year, they could give a homegrown product a shot.

“(Adams) is knocking on the door,” said Cashman, who had no worries about inserting rookie lefthander Jordan Montgomery into the big league rotation this season and watched him gain valuable experience.

Keep An Eye On: SS Thairo Estrada

The Yankees opened the year with abundant shortstop depth in the form of Tyler Wade, Jorge Mateo and Gleyber Torres.

Add Thairo Estrada to the list that no longer includes Mateo, who was dealt to the Athletics in the Sonny Gray trade. Wade is being groomed as a utility player and Torres could be the Yankees’ starting second or third baseman next season when he will be 22.

“If you came in from Mars and watched Gleyber Torres and Estrada play, you would see how little difference there was—and that is a compliment to Estrada,” Cashman said of the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Venezuelan who hit .301/.353/.392 with six homers in 122 games for Trenton.