Perspectives: Three Games In

By Paul Semendinger

March 31, 2025

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What follows are some random thoughts on the start of the 2025 Yankees season:

• I like games when the Yankees hit 9 home runs and score 20 runs. Those are good games. I hope most games are like that. I don't need close games.

  
  

• But, in case anyone thinks I am unreasonable, I also like games where the Yanks score 12 runs and hit four homers. That's also good. It's not as fun as 20 runs, but I'll take 12 runs every game.

  
  

• I know a lot of people noted that Jasson Dominguez started fielding better as Spring Training wore on. If so (I didn't watch any practice games), he sure didn't remember whatever he learned. Jasson Dominguez is an adventure a minute in the field. His outfield play is concerning to say the least.

  
  

• At this rate, Trent Grisham, as a defensive replacement, will play in 162 games.

  
  

• In the last two games, Aaron Boone lifted his starting pitcher one out shy of the necessary five innings to qualify for a win. If that trend continues, the starting pitchers won't be big fans of the manager.

  
  

• Dave Simms on the radio is a completely different sound than John Sterling. Simms is doing a fine job. He is very professional. He's good at what he does. He'll be fine to listen to, but I'll always miss John Sterling.

  
  

• The Yankees are 3-0 and look like a very fun team. Of course, in the big picture, three games doesn't mean much. Still, I'd rather be 3-0 than any other record after three games.

  
  

• Jake Bauers threw 65 MPH and pitched two scoreless innings. I throw in the mid 60's. Bauers proves that I could get Major League hitters out. I'm not saying I'd be any good, of course I wouldn't be, but Bauers showed that if one throws slowly enough, it messes up the timing of big league hitters. It can work on occasion. Even when players hit the ball, they sometimes hit them right at other players.

  
  

• The Yankees might rotate their leadoff hitter as the season goes on. I like that more than having the catcher batting there.

  
  

• I was happy to see Carlos Rodon get into the 6th inning in his first start. The Yankees will need length from a starter or two. Rodon will need to be one of the guys who gives them some necessary length.

  
  

• When a team sweeps and scores 32 runs over a weekend, it makes the manager look very smart. Aaron Boone looks like a genius right now.

  
  

• The Yankees won their 2,500th game with Brian Cashman as the General Manager. That really is something.

  
  

• I like no-stress Yankees baseball. I hope this continues like this all year. I'm not in favor of any losing streaks, even one game losing streaks.

  
  

• I discuss the "torpedo bats" a bit on the SSTN Podcast that will air tonight at 9:00 p.m. In short, the Yankees' analytics people figured out a new way. That's a plus. They did well here. They deserve a lot of credit. The Yankees are not cheating. Any player on any team can use a similar type of bat. These new bats seem to be working well, but before people get totally crazy about all of this, three games doesn't prove much of anything.

  
  

• It might turn out that the bats are dangerous that balls rocket off of them in ways that tilt the competitive balance way in favor of the hitters. If that's the case, MLB will have to outlaw the bats. They did that with "sticky stuff" a few years ago which gave too much of an edge to pitchers. But, for now, we'll see what transpires.

  
  

• Let's Go Yankees!