The New York Yankees are going to need to find a reliable leadoff option for this lineup, as Juan Soto and Aaron Judge have consistently come to the plate with nobody on. With the Cincinnati Reds not having the year they were hoping for, we could see them sell ahead of the trade deadline, and Jonathan India could be on the move. Their plethora of young infielders might entice them to get a return on the surging infielder who is finally having a big season after two years of mediocrity at the plate.
It’s been one hell of a season for Jonathan India, who has found himself hitting at a clip we haven’t seen since 2021 when he took home Rookie of the Year honors. Through 85 games, India is slashing .269/.369/.411 with a 119 wRC+ and seven home runs, as he’s done an excellent job of getting on base and hitting doubles. India is top-20 in both walk rate and OBP, and the batted ball data has really improved as of late, generating more barrels and damage contact.
Over his last 24 games, Jonathan India has slashed .341/.410/.591 with an 11.1% Barrel Rate and 47.2% Hard-Hit Rate, showing off some serious raw power and driving the ball in the air with authority. The Yankees need both more power and more OBP skills at the top of the lineup, and he would provide that and more in a hurry. Originally a third baseman at the Minor League level and throughout college, India shifted over to second base where he’s been a below-average defender in his career.
The Yankees might be able to shift him back to the hot corner where he profiles a lot better due to how well he moves to his left side versus his right side. This season, he has -4 OAA going towards third base while he has +3 OAA going towards 1B, and the third base foul line naturally creates less space to account for when you’re playing the position, which is likely why he’s struggled at second where there’s far more room to account for. This doesn’t mean India is slow, as he ranks in the 61st Percenile in Sprint Speed and can swipe a base or two.
