A former utility player for the Houston Astros has earned an opportunity with the New York Yankees after a standout spring performance.
On Friday afternoon, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Yankees had signed Hummel to a minor league deal, where he’ll begin at Triple-A with a chance to secure a spot on the MLB roster.
Hummel’s strong spring was highlighted by a .316/.435/.447 slash line, with seven walks, five doubles, and two stolen bases, demonstrating his baserunning ability.
Although he wasn’t able to break camp with the Astros, partly due to the emergence of top prospects Cam Smith and Zach Dezenzo, Hummel’s performance was impressive enough to land him another shot with a new team. Earlier this week, he had elected free agency.
Houston originally claimed Hummel off waivers in April of last year, but he was DFA’d shortly after the promotion of Spencer Arrighetti. He was then outrighted to the minors, where he spent most of the season.
In Triple-A last year, Hummel posted a .277/.419/.454 slash line, which closely mirrors his spring performance and aligns with his usual production levels.
At 30 years old, Hummel has demonstrated consistent skill in the minors but has never received a long-term opportunity in the majors. The Yankees may use him as a utility player in their outfield, which currently features many left-handed bats. Hummel’s ability to hit from both sides of the plate could make him a valuable asset in that role.
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