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We’ve already reached the midway point of the season, and the Yankees – currently minus stars Aaron Judge, Max Fried and Giancarlo Stanton – are leading the AL East.
In a lackluster American League, the 2026 Yanks have positioned themselves as favorites to win the pennant, and they’ve shown their overall depth to maintain that status.
Friday’s game at Boston marks the official halfway mark of the Yankees’ season, and our midterm grades are in.
For this exercise, we used eight pitching starts, 15 relief appearances and 25 position player games played as our minimum to post a grade.
*An exception was made for utility player Max Schuemann, on the active roster since April 28.
Starting pitcher
The AL’s first half Cy Young, leading the league in ERA, hits per nine innings and strikeout-walk ratio.
First baseman/DH
The team’s first-half MVP, leading the club in homers and OPS.
First baseman/DH
Saw increased playing time due to Giancarlo Stanton’s injury and responded with fountain-of-youth first half, mashing lefties with a 1.304 OPS.
Outfielder
Consistently performs well in all facets and his left field defense is Gold Glove Award worthy.
Reliever
Aaron Boone’s most valuable setup man, with a lethal swing-and-miss splitter that has been more reliable in 2026.
Starting pitcher
Lefty posted a 2.09 ERA in the first seven of his 10 starts before landing on the IL with a bone bruise to his pitching elbow.
Reliever
Converted lefty starter has become an important setup piece, trusted against both right and left-handed hitters.
Right fielder
Credit for playing through an injury, diagnosed as rib stress fracture that placed him on IL (retro to June 2). Still posted 150 OPS-plus.
Starting pitcher
Steady.
Infielder/Outfielder
Important for his defensive versatility, speed and offensive ability. There’s daring to his game, but sometimes to a fault.
Center fielder
Was enjoying one of his best offensive stretches as a Yankee when he hit the injured list, June 13, with a strained hamstring.
Bounced back after a rough mid-May stretch, with a zero ERA in 11 appearances since.
Reliever
Has done a solid job in a thankless hybrid long-relief role. Mostly effective in varied use.
Starting pitcher
Yanks have won the last five of the lefty’s eight starts. Season was delayed by rehab from October elbow procedure.
Infielder/Outfielder
Has started at five different positions, showing good defense and posting a .395 on-base percentage in a limited role.
Infielder
Defense can be rough, and he’s been better vs. righty pitching than lefties, but a valuable presence in an inconsistent role.
Shortstop
Generally better since his May call-up, a year after suffering a torn left labrum.
Starting pitcher
Fun to watch when he’s rolling, with strikeout stuff, but susceptible to the long ball.
Second base
Got off to a rough start in his free agent walk year, remains prone to lapses. Expects more from his performance, with talent galore.
Reliever
Preserves other arms in a sporadic, long relief role.
Reliever
Not as effective as last season, but still capable and unflappable in any spot.
Third base
Recovered from a brutal start, reliable defender in a strict platoon, now on IL with a throat infection.
Reliever
Has struggled to find consistency in a pinstriped setup role, despite high-octane sinking fastball and good stuff overall.
Reliever
Sinker-sweeper combo is real but still plagued by inconsistency.
Catchers
Wells’ framing and handling of a staff, and Escarra’s pitch-blocking aside, team is getting zero production out of their catching tandem.
Manager
Guides a clubhouse with stars and personalities well, getting the best lately from a bullpen that hasn’t been a signature strength.
General manager
Run-it-back critics have largely been silent. As the MLB trade deadline nears, upgrades at catcher and bullpen – or possibly something bolder - will hold Yankees Universe’s attention.
Outfielders Jasson Dominguez, Giancarlo Stanton, Spencer Jones; starting pitchers Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Elmer Rodriguez; relievers Yerry de los Santos, Kervin Castro, Angel Chivilli, Yovanny Cruz; catcher Ali Sanchez; infielder Oswaldo Cabrera.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: From Cam Schlittler to the catching tandem, Yankees' midterm grades
Continue reading...
In a lackluster American League, the 2026 Yanks have positioned themselves as favorites to win the pennant, and they’ve shown their overall depth to maintain that status.
Friday’s game at Boston marks the official halfway mark of the Yankees’ season, and our midterm grades are in.
For this exercise, we used eight pitching starts, 15 relief appearances and 25 position player games played as our minimum to post a grade.
*An exception was made for utility player Max Schuemann, on the active roster since April 28.
Cam Schlittler: A+
Starting pitcher
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The AL’s first half Cy Young, leading the league in ERA, hits per nine innings and strikeout-walk ratio.
Ben Rice: A
First baseman/DH
The team’s first-half MVP, leading the club in homers and OPS.
Paul Goldschmidt: A
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First baseman/DH
Saw increased playing time due to Giancarlo Stanton’s injury and responded with fountain-of-youth first half, mashing lefties with a 1.304 OPS.
Cody Bellinger: A
Outfielder
Consistently performs well in all facets and his left field defense is Gold Glove Award worthy.
Fernando Cruz: B+
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Reliever
Aaron Boone’s most valuable setup man, with a lethal swing-and-miss splitter that has been more reliable in 2026.
Max Fried: B+
Starting pitcher
Lefty posted a 2.09 ERA in the first seven of his 10 starts before landing on the IL with a bone bruise to his pitching elbow.
Brent Headrick: B+
Reliever
Converted lefty starter has become an important setup piece, trusted against both right and left-handed hitters.
Aaron Judge B+
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Right fielder
Credit for playing through an injury, diagnosed as rib stress fracture that placed him on IL (retro to June 2). Still posted 150 OPS-plus.
Will Warren: B
Starting pitcher
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Steady.
Jose Caballero: B
Infielder/Outfielder
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Important for his defensive versatility, speed and offensive ability. There’s daring to his game, but sometimes to a fault.
Trent Grisham: B
Center fielder
Was enjoying one of his best offensive stretches as a Yankee when he hit the injured list, June 13, with a strained hamstring.
David Bednar: B
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Bounced back after a rough mid-May stretch, with a zero ERA in 11 appearances since.
Paul Blackburn: B
Reliever
Has done a solid job in a thankless hybrid long-relief role. Mostly effective in varied use.
Carlos Rodon: B-
Starting pitcher
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Yanks have won the last five of the lefty’s eight starts. Season was delayed by rehab from October elbow procedure.
Max Schuemann: B-
Infielder/Outfielder
Has started at five different positions, showing good defense and posting a .395 on-base percentage in a limited role.
Amed Rosario: C+
Infielder
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Defense can be rough, and he’s been better vs. righty pitching than lefties, but a valuable presence in an inconsistent role.
Anthony Volpe: C+
Shortstop
Generally better since his May call-up, a year after suffering a torn left labrum.
Ryan Weathers: C+
Starting pitcher
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Fun to watch when he’s rolling, with strikeout stuff, but susceptible to the long ball.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.: C
Second base
Got off to a rough start in his free agent walk year, remains prone to lapses. Expects more from his performance, with talent galore.
Ryan Yarbrough: C
Reliever
Preserves other arms in a sporadic, long relief role.
Tim Hill: C-
Reliever
Not as effective as last season, but still capable and unflappable in any spot.
Ryan McMahon: D+
Third base
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Recovered from a brutal start, reliable defender in a strict platoon, now on IL with a throat infection.
Camilo Doval: D
Reliever
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Has struggled to find consistency in a pinstriped setup role, despite high-octane sinking fastball and good stuff overall.
Jake Bird: D
Reliever
Sinker-sweeper combo is real but still plagued by inconsistency.
Austin Wells/J.C. Escarra: F
Catchers
Wells’ framing and handling of a staff, and Escarra’s pitch-blocking aside, team is getting zero production out of their catching tandem.
Aaron Boone: B+
Manager
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Guides a clubhouse with stars and personalities well, getting the best lately from a bullpen that hasn’t been a signature strength.
Brian Cashman: B+
General manager
Run-it-back critics have largely been silent. As the MLB trade deadline nears, upgrades at catcher and bullpen – or possibly something bolder - will hold Yankees Universe’s attention.
Incomplete grades
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Outfielders Jasson Dominguez, Giancarlo Stanton, Spencer Jones; starting pitchers Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Elmer Rodriguez; relievers Yerry de los Santos, Kervin Castro, Angel Chivilli, Yovanny Cruz; catcher Ali Sanchez; infielder Oswaldo Cabrera.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: From Cam Schlittler to the catching tandem, Yankees' midterm grades
Continue reading...
