Yankees: Who's Hot and Who's Not

Who's Hot:

Starlin Castro

           Photo: Kim Klement USA Today Sports

Castro has put decent stretch, hitting .320 over the past week. He's definitely making the most of his first year in pinstripes and stands to provide a solid answer to the second base dilemma that plagues the team post Robinson Cano.

Aaron Hicks

                Photo: Al Bello Getty Images

Things did not start off well for Hicks as he struggled to make any solid contact with the baseball. In fact, through May 5th he found himself batting just .091. However, since then the 26-year-old outfielder has made headway with a .333 average over seven games and even delivering some key hits along the way. Hopefully he's finally made the adjustment to the Bronx and will be the valuable asset the Yankees sorely need

Kirby Yates

         Photo: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports 

In a twist of fortunes, Yates is defying many predictions that he would be the odd man out in the bullpen once Aroldis Chapman debuted. That's not been the case as once thought castaway has been pretty steady in his 14 appearances. This has to be a pleasant surprise for Girardi and anyone else who believed he wouldn't factor much to this point.

Chase Headley

          Photo: Brad Penner USA TODAY Sports

It was a troubling start to year to say the least for Headley. His hitting was nowhere to be found and it appeared to be all in his head. Not to mention he just nabbed his first two extra base hits of the season, as surprise in and of itself. Nonetheless, his swing has come alive this week to the tune of .333 giving hope that he is finally coming out of his slump and is will be a steady contributor to the offense.

Who's Not:

Mark Teixeira

                  Photo: Jim McIsaac Getty Images

Things are not going well for the Yankees first baseman as his .148 average this week has only exacerbated his conflict. There were high hopes that Teixeira would find motivation to prove that his bat was not fading, but that hasn't been the case. In a year that could make or break his future with the Yankees, He isn't giving the team much of a reason to keep him around past 2016.

Brett Gardner

          Photo: Anthony Gruppuso USA Today Sports

Gardner seems to have found himself maligned in several slumps since the middle of last season (when he made the All Star team). The .167 average he’s sporting this week only serve as a reminder of how problematic the offense has been, especially when a player like him struggles to get on base. Between that and his nagging injuries, bursting out of this recent rough stretch could become quite the endeavor.

Luis Severino

                    Photo: Tony Gutierrez/AP

The red hot prospect has looked like anything but that this season posting a horrendous 7.46 ERA to go along with an 0-6 record. Until recent developments, no one could figure out what was wrong with the 22-year-old and there was contemplation of even sending him down to AAA. Now it appears that the root of his problems was a strained triceps muscle he has been pitching with for nearly a month, but hasn't really told anyone about the discomfort.  It's an unfortunate situation for a guy that was once thought of as the next big thing for the Yankees. 

Michael Pineda

 Photo: Tom Szczerbowski Getty Images

Like Severino, Pineda finds himself in an ugly stretch that has lasted for far too long. Many believed he was headed for a good season after struggling so mightily to end 2015, but he has carried the effects of those struggles right into this season, adding to the overall problems of the Yankees starting pitching. With a 1-4 record and a 6.28 ERA (and well document first inning struggles), it's beginning to look like the Yankees may have got the worse of the 2012 deal that brought to New York. Perhaps things can straighten out for him with the right tools and coaching, but right now that's looking like a long shot.