Once a controversial figure among San Francisco Giants fans, Mike Yastrzemski is set to play a pivotal role this season. At 34 years old and with six seasons in San Francisco under his belt, ‘Yaz’ has emerged as a key leader for the team. His leadership skills are unquestionable, excelling in the media and serving as a strong role model for the Giants’ young outfielders. With his grandfather being the legendary Carl Yastrzemski, many expected him to step into a leadership role. However, unlike his famous grandfather, some critics argue that Mike’s bat hasn’t lived up to expectations.
Mike Yastrzemski’s Role in Guiding the Giants Towards Success
To call Yastrzemski a poor hitter would be a lazy opinion, but he has clear flaws in his game. He has a career 112 wRC+, making him 12 percent better than average over his six-year span. It is important to note wRC+ is arguably the most influential pure hitting stat. However, people continue to gravitate towards more ‘tried and tested’ statistics.
Many Giants hitters fall into this same category, and many hitters avoid Oracle park for this exact reason. At Oracle Park, left-handed hitters like Yastrzemski see a 22% decrease in home runs, with the right field wall continuing to be a challenge for them. Particularly as a 20 home run guy. He’s not hit above .235 for four years, despite having a wRC+ over 100 in three. The other being a measily 99. Too many, this is enough to write him off. Add in a career 89 wRC+ against lefties and questions are raised.
This is where context is important, though. According to Spotrac, The cost of Yastrzemski is just $9.25 million, due to it being the last year of arbitration. In fact, in his four arbitration years, he’s earned less than $27 million and provided $55.7 million in value. That number comes from Fangraphs’ calculation based on WAR.
He may be a prime platoon candidate, but it is right-handers he hits well. This meant he has still played 533 games the last four years, with nearly 2000 plate appearances. Since he is on a cheap contract, it also allows the Giants to pair him with a right handed outfielder. This year that’s expected to be Luis Matos.
What Makes Him So Important?
Amid all the discussions surrounding Yastrzemski, it’s easy to overlook just how impressive a player he is. Yastrzemski has quietly accumulated over 100 home runs and boasts a career .457 slugging percentage. His power is paired with remarkable athleticism. While he’s not known for stealing bases, his baserunning value is noteworthy—ranking in the 80th percentile in 2024 despite only stealing three bases. His defense remains solid as well. Playing right field in Oracle Park is a challenge, but Yastrzemski handles it exceptionally well. Despite some statistical regression, he was still nominated for a Gold Glove, underscoring his all-around capability in the position.
Off the field, Yastrzemski’s impact is equally significant. As the longest-tenured Giant, he was the team’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2024, which was ultimately won by Salvador Perez. His nomination recognized his commitment to supporting military veterans, as well as his involvement with the local nonprofit Family House. Alongside his wife, Paige, Yastrzemski organizes and attends events for veterans at Oracle Park and regularly visits children’s hospitals to meet with young patients.
Yastrzemski is also the driving force behind Mustache May, a Giants tradition that raises awareness for mental health. Through this initiative, Yastrzemski and others in the organization grow mustaches and sell merchandise to benefit the Heart and Armor Foundation.
On the field, Yastrzemski is a well-rounded player—a strong hitter, excellent fielder, and valuable baserunner. Off the field, he’s an even better human being, deeply committed to making a positive impact in his community.
Main Photo: © Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
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