Yankees 2017: Who's Hot, Who's Not 2

Photo: Patrick Gorsk/Icon Sportswire

\Who's Hot

Gary Sanchez

August has been very nice to Sanchez thus far as he's hitting .333 through 15 games. If he is rounding into the form he had when he broke in last season, the rest of the American League should look out. 

Dellin Betances

After a few hiccups in July, Betances is once again pitching strong. He has yet to surrender a run this month and has successfully closed out two games. The Yankees are really going to need him to keep it up for the stretch run if they are going to make a push for the playoffs and the division.

Didi Gregorius

No Yankee bat is hotter than Didi's as he is swinging a scorching .359 with 23 hits in August. This season has been a revelation for the 27-year-old shortstop and should his good fortunes continue, he and the club will reap the benefits.

Luis Severino

Despite a rough outing against the Red Sox last week, Severino has proven the be the ace of the staff. He's has very impressive starts over the past two months and probably should have more wins to his record. Once a bit of an enigma, the Yankees look to have found something in the 23-year-old flamethrower.

Who's Not

Aroldis Chapman

It's been a frustrating month for the Yankee closer. His ERA is 10.38 and his command has abandoned him. Many fans are clamoring for Betances and Robertson to split the closer duties until Chapman is right, but Girardi is holding fast with position to keep him in the spot. How that will fare is anyone's guess.

Todd Frazier

Since being acquired in mid-July, Todd Frazier hasn't put together a strong showing at the plate hitting just .207 in 27 games. The Yankees have gotten by unscathed by his struggles, but you would like to see the veteran third baseman pick thigs up and make a healthy contribution through September.

Aaron Judge

Judge in a fall from grace period right now, posting a .189 average in August with league high 27 strikeouts. He also set a less than stellar mark as he has struck out in 34 consecutive games. Many had high hopes that he would be leading the MVP race at this point, but the league has adjusted to him and it will take an adjustment of his own if he wants to return to the form that took the league by storm before the All-Star break.

Giants: Players To Look Out For In 2017

Photo: Bill Streicher USA Today Sports

B.J. Goodson

Goodson is looking more like the guy who will earn the job of starting middle linebacker by the start of the season. Some may chalk this up to the Giants lack of true candidates on the roster, but don't tell that to the second-year man out of Clemson, whom has been lobbying for this chance since OTA's. Should he get the nod, one should believe that he will seek to break the teams overly long streak if mediocrity from the mike position.

Eli Apple

Though he did play in 14 games in his rookie season, Eli Apple will tell you that he feels he didn't put his best foot forward. He was forced to leave a few games due to recurring problems with his hamstring and ankle and at times struggled to play through them. All in all, however, he did manage to contribute to a successful campaign that saw the team make the playoffs for the first time in 5 years. Now healthy, Apple is ready to get to work and prove just how valuable his skill set is for a secondary that improves by vast proportions in 2016.

Paul Perkins

Perkins has not yet been named the starting running back, but you must think it's only a matter of time before he is. His impressive abilities a runner have gotten him noticed by the entire coaching staff, many of whom claiming him to be the back of the future. Though he'll need to outperform the likes of Shane Vereen and the equally talented rookie Wayne Gallman throughout the preseason. Perkins looks to be confident he can get the job done and be a staple of the offense for the next few years.

Landon Collins

After a 2016 season that saw him finish second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting (Some believe he should have won) Landon Collins has not only helped solidify the safety spot but has become a force to be reckoned with on defense. If he can duplicate what he accomplished last season, He could earn a place as one of the best safeties in the NFL.

Odell Beckham Jr.

If there's a player on the Giants that has consistently delivered, it's OBJ. Having amassed over 4,000 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns, some may wonder what the 4th year man has left to prove. However, with a contract extension on the horizon and a taste of the playoffs on his pallet, Beckham certainly has a lot to play for in 2017. He also will look to establish himself as a vocal leader in the locker room that his teammates can trust and count on for this season and the seasons to come.