As if the Red Sox’s nine stolen bases in a game weren’t enough to mock the Yankees, former Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka was one of the top players in the MLB at catching base stealers.
And now, just when the struggling Yankees need offensive support from their catchers during a disastrous stretch of 17 losses in 23 games, guess who’s suddenly hitting home runs? That’s right, it’s Higashioka.
RESTORING THE GLORY
Higashioka achieved a career high by hitting his 11th home run for the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night. Over the last three seasons with the Yankees, he hit 10 home runs each year. However, it’s not just the number of home runs that’s impressive: Higashioka has managed to hit 10 homers in his last 69 at-bats.
Traded in the deal for slugger Juan Soto, Higashioka went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer and a walk in Tuesday’s 8-3 loss to the Mariners. His two-run homer in the eighth inning narrowed the deficit to 7-3, and it was his only hit of the game.
Despite playing part-time, Higashioka has been performing remarkably well, with a slash line of .342/.375/.842, six home runs, 17 RBI, and eight runs scored in 40 plate appearances over his last 11 games. He will continue to share playing time with Luis Campusano.
