TAMPA, Fla. – Speed and versatility will probably always be José Caballero’s most recognizable traits, but people around the Yankees have noticed something else during his batting-practice displays: untapped power.
With 18 big league homers under his belt, Caballero isn’t about to challenge Aaron Judge for the team lead, but he agrees that his thump hasn’t fully shown up in game action.
“I have some power,” said Caballero, who homered in the Yankees’ 6-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Mets on Sunday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I know I haven’t showed that in the stats, but I know I can hit the ball hard.”
Caballero’s third-inning blast off Justin Hagenman offered a glimpse of that potential. He’s among the World Baseball Classic-bound Bombers getting an early start to game action, and he said the chance to represent Panama will be “excellent for me.”
“I’m going to have the opportunity to compete at a 100% level,” Caballero said, “so I’m going to be in midseason form, ready for the beginning of the season.”
The 29-year-old Caballero is in his first spring with New York after being acquired from the Rays last July. With Anthony Volpe recovering from left shoulder surgery, Caballero is the likely choice to serve as the Opening Day shortstop.
That would mean a reunion of sorts with second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who got to know Caballero while they were together in the Diamondbacks’ system.
“It’s a really good combination – power, speed and dynamic in the middle,” Caballero said. “I think it’s a great fit for the team. I’m just trying to be out there, try to help the team and try to do my best every day.”
Caballero and Chisholm departed the Arizona system on the same day at the 2019 Trade Deadline, when Caballero went to the Mariners for right-hander Mike Leake and Chisholm was shipped to the Marlins in a deal for righty Zac Gallen.
Their relationship has picked up where it left off, both on the field and away from it.
“We’re kind of used to each other from the Arizona days when we used to practice with each other,” Chisholm said. “It was easy to get into feeling that comfort and rhythm of playing together again.
“It’s just fun. We were kids coming up together, growing up together. We get a chance to play in the big leagues as grown adults together. I feel like we’re just having fun and enjoying every second.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that familiarity could help stabilize the middle infield early this season.
“I’ve paired them together a lot,” Boone said. “For sure, early in the season, I want to get them working as much as possible. I expect them to be good.”
In his first 40 games as a Yankee, Caballero slashed .266/.372/.456 with three homers, nine RBIs and 15 stolen bases. His 49 combined steals led the Majors; Caballero said he’d like to steal at least 50 bags this year.
As for the power?
“We’ll see,” Caballero said. “I don’t have a number. I can’t be shooting for a number that I’ve never hit before. But double digits are a good thing.”
Chisholm said he always believed it was in there.
“He never swung for it in the Minor Leagues, but I always told him he had a little bit in there,” Chisholm said. “We’re still funny and goofy, but the difference is the physical strength. As a young kid, you think you’re the best. Now we’re better at listening to each other and everybody else.”
The Yankees have been careful not to circle a date, but the expectation is that Volpe will reclaim shortstop when he’s ready – likely in May, though Volpe said he’s not ruling out an April return.
Boone has repeatedly described Caballero as a high-end 10th man, reiterating on Sunday: “He’s one of those guys that’s a really good complete-your-roster [player] for a winning club.”
Caballero said the role will take care of itself.
“That’s out of my control,” Caballero said. “I control what I can control. I’m going to go out there and do my best every day. They’ll make the decisions. Every day is important for me.”