The New York Yankees have acquired Jorbit Vivas from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade that saw their 2021 first-round pick, Trey Sweeney, head to LA. Initially surprising due to the perceived value exchanged, the trade now appears favorable for the Yankees. Sweeney, who was considered the “main piece” for the Dodgers, has struggled with an 85 wRC+ and a 26.5% strikeout rate in his first 82 games in Triple-A. Conversely, Vivas has excelled, posting a 123 wRC+ with the Scranton RailRiders, showing increased power and improved hitting under the Yankees’ development.
Jorbit Vivas Could Be a Key Infield Option for the Yankees
With DJ LeMahieu’s struggles and Gleyber Torres’s inconsistent performance, the Yankees desperately need infield reinforcements. Jorbit Vivas could be the internal solution they need. Vivas’s plate discipline is his standout skill, boasting a 16.6% walk rate and aggressive in-zone hitting.
Vivas’s pitch recognition, similar to Ben Rice’s successful adaptation to MLB pitching, has been crucial. His improved discipline has led to increased power output, making him appear MLB-ready. Walking more than striking out and bringing substantial slugging potential, Vivas has dramatically improved his batted ball data, with the lowest groundball rate of his Minor League career and a 37.8% Sweet Spot Rate, enhancing his chances for hits and extra bases.
Offensive and Defensive Potential
While his raw power may not be as high as other top prospects, Vivas’s ability to pull the ball in Yankee Stadium could yield significant results. As a left-handed hitter, he could compensate for his power limitations by targeting the short right-field porch.
Beyond offense, Vivas’s speed and athleticism could enhance the Yankees’ baserunning, an area where they currently lag significantly. Vivas’s speed could prove especially valuable in the infield, where both LeMahieu and Torres have below-average sprint speeds. The Yankees rank last in BsR (-10.9), and incorporating faster players like Vivas could be beneficial.
Projections and Defensive Capability
Steamer projects Vivas for a 90 wRC+, higher than both Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu. Defensively, Vivas shows promise with +0.6 Defensive Runs Prevented at second base and +0.3 at third base, suggesting he is an above-average defender at both positions.
Though Minor League defensive stats can be misleading, it’s worth noting that Defensive Runs Prevented has favored Ben Rice’s glove at first base, which has translated well to the MLB. The Yankees might experiment with Vivas at third base more frequently, making him a versatile left-handed bat with speed and plate discipline.
Future Prospects
Vivas’s profile is comparable to 2022 Oswaldo Cabrera, relying on ideal launch angles and pulled contact. While Cabrera’s profile diminished after ’22, there is confidence that Vivas can maintain his approach. This could mark another success for the Yankees’ hitting development, which has already turned Ben Rice into a valuable asset.
While Jon Berti’s return might delay Vivas’s promotion, he remains a strong candidate for a roster spot next spring. Already on the 40-man roster, Vivas’s development and potential call-ups will be closely watched by the Yankees.
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