Yankees' Boone says Luke Voit will have 'leg up' on first base job in 2019

Voit proved to be a key mid-season acquisition for the Yankees

10/13/2018, 2:54 AM
New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit exults after hitting a solo home run off Oakland Athletics pitcher Fernando Rodney during the eighth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oakland Coliseum. / D. Ross Cameron/USA TODAY Sports
New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit exults after hitting a solo home run off Oakland Athletics pitcher Fernando Rodney during the eighth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oakland Coliseum. / D. Ross Cameron/USA TODAY Sports

Luke Voit had such a hot start to his time with the Yankees that manager Aaron Boone believes the 27-year-old has a "leg up" on the first base job heading into next season, according to the New York Post.

Voit, who hit .333 with 14 homers in just 39 games with the Yankees this season, made his big league debut with the Cardinals last season. He struggled in St. Louis, compiling a .246 batting average in 62 games last season before hitting .182 in his first eight games this season. 

But once he was traded to the Yankees, he wound up thriving at first base and even went on to contribute during the postseason when he hit a two-run triple in the AL Wild Card game. 

"He certainly came over here and was given that opportunity and took it and kicked the door in,'' Boone said, per the New York Post. "I'm sure there will continue to be competition on all kinds of levels,'' Boone said. "The one thing with Greg that I never lost is we've seen him be an impact player at times in his career. … This year, in a lot of ways, was a little bit of a lost season for him." 

In 39 games with the Yankees this season, Voit hit .333 with five doubles, 14 home runs, and 33 RBI.

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