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When Josh Donaldson was acquired before the 2022 season, New York Yankees fans thought they could expect at least 30 home runs from the veteran third baseman. However, things rarely go according to expectations in baseball.
Donaldson started off strong, delivering a first walk-off single for the Yankees in the 11th inning on Opening Day against the Boston Red Sox. However, by the dog days of the summer, his average had fallen well below the Mendoza Line.
Donaldson finished with a slashline average of .222/.308/.374 with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs. These numbers marked the worst full season of the 36-year-old's career. Needless to say, Donaldson was eager to get back to the Yankees' preason facility in Tampa to iron out past batting woes.
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In February 2023, Kris Kirschner of The Athletic shared a video of Josh Donaldson getting struck out during batting practice. The pitcher in question was Jhony Brito, a 25-year-old Dominican New York Yankees pitching prospect who has yet to throw a pitch in the MLB.
"Jhony Brito strikes out Josh Donaldson." - @ Chris Kirschner
The footage may be anecdotal. However, it did not stop some Yankees fans from excersing some pointed criticisms that Donaldson got to know all-too-well during the final stages of the 2022 season. One of them wrote on Twitter:
"Lmao thats not too hard to do"
Fans referenced the nature of Donaldson's performances throughout the 2022 season. His production last season cooled off as the weather started to warm up. He batted only .195 during the month of July last season.
One fan tweeted:
"Mid season form for Donaldson"
Josh Donaldson came to the Yankees alongside shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa in a trade last year that sent catcher Gary Sanchez to the Minnesota Twins. He was previously regarded as one of the most potent hitters in the game of baseball, and even won an MVP Award in 2015 whilst playing for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Fans also referenced the fact that Donaldson was noticeably indecisive in the Yankees' 2022 postseason push. He went 5-for-29 with no home runs or RBIs as the Yankees fell in a 4-0 sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros during the 2022 ALCS.
Josh Donaldson needs to prove he can play in New York
Josh Donaldson's current trajectory is looking eerily similar to that of Joey Gallo. Gallo was a star for the Texas Rangers, winning successive Gold Glove Awards. However, after coming to the New York Yankees in 2021, he struggled to hit his weight.
Gallo was eventually shipped off, marking a massive disappointment for his team. Unless Donaldson can turn his stats around in 2023, it looks like he might be facing a similar future.
