For the moment, Clint Frazier is providing exactly what the Yankees need given the number of key players on the injured list.
The 24-year-old outfielder, who is not far removed from being considered one of the best prospects in baseball, is healthy after dealing with concussion issues last season and is displaying the "legendary" bat speed GM Brian Cashman has previously praised Frazier for.
In 13 games entering Thursday, Frazier was slashing .333/.347/.622 with four homers and 12 RBI; he also had 11 strikeouts against two walks.
This comes as Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Hicks are both nursing injuries, so the Yanks have been able to plug Frazier in at either DH or left field with Brett Gardner occupying center, Mike Tauchman seeing some time in left, and of course, Aaron Judge in right field.
But as SNY contributor Sweeny Murti notes in the above video, Frazier could force the Yankees' hand once their outfield is at full strength.
Frazier wasn't shy in Spring Training about wanting Gardner's spot, but because of his poor spring he was ticketed for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the 2019 season, but as soon as he landed in Scranton he got summoned to New York when Stanton went on the IL with a biceps strain.
Gardner, the 35-year-old in his 12th MLB season, had a strong spring but has had a rough go early on in the regular season. Entering Thursday, he was hitting .203 with a .301 on-base percentage, but he did hit a huge grand slam on Wednesday to propel the Yanks to a win over the rival Red Sox.
When Hicks recovers from a back issue he'll be the primary center fielder. Stanton should split time between left field and DH. Then there's Frazier and Gardner.
The Yankees could send Frazier back to Triple-A to make sure he's playing every day, but if he continues to hit as he has lately, there will be tough decisions for them to make. Gardner is a respected leader in the clubhouse, Converting him to more of a role player who doesn't play as much wouldn't be easy, but the Yankees are trying to win a World Series.
If Frazier is the real deal, they'll have to find a place for him in the lineup.