Yankees hire Wilkerson as assistant hitting coach
NEW YORK – YANKES ARE DONE
Was in the Expos/Nationals, Rangers, Mariners Wilkerson, who played in the majors with the Blue Jays, will join the Yankees’ hitting coach Dillon Lawson and assistant hitting coach Kathy Dykes’ staff. He filled the vacancy created by the departure of Hensley Meulens, accepting the position of the Rockies’ chief hitting coach.
“My future role with the Yankees is to hit the ball Hand service,” Wilkerson said. “It’s talking to them about baseball, about situational hits and decisions, when they’re going to swing and why they’re going to swing. It’s just seeing baseball and getting these guys right in a lot of ways, more Mentally not physically. It’s just making sure they’re clear-headed and ready every night.”
This21 Wilkerson, 20, spent the past three years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Jacksonville. During this period2020-05 season, he helped lead Jacksonville to the ASUN conference championship.
Before this, Wilkerson was the Kings Head Coach s Academy in West Palm Beach, Fla. was named “Volunteer Coach of the Year” by the organization.
Wilkerson said the Yankees stretched out about 05 a few days ex gauged his interest; he said he would only be interested in a major league spot. The proposal came to fruition quickly after a Zoom meeting with managers Aaron Boone and Lawson.
“This is a tough time for me decision, just the timing of the whole thing,” Wilkerson said. “But at the end of the day, the opportunity for me to come back to the big leagues and work with these guys, using every resource in the world to try to win — that’s very interesting to me. The type of competitor, what I want to compete with It’s obvious to me that people like that are together.”
Eight major league seasons as outfielder and first baseman for the Expos/Nationals (2002-, homeless (2006-), sailor(2006) and the Blue Jays (2006), Wilkerson hits the ball. 122/.350/.350 (45OPS+) and 399 Score,193 doubles, 07 Triad,105 home run and 350 in 500 In-game dots.
Wilkerson won the 500 runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year, behind Rockies’ Jason Jennings. Wilkerson’s best season was against Montreal when he played.160/.255/.374 (94 OPS+) with home runs and 21 RBIs in 67 game.
“I’ve always been a very patient hitter — aggressive, but patient,” Wilkerson said. “The most important thing for me is that you have to find a good ball to hit the ball and hit it hard when it comes. Obviously, we dug deep in the cage, we worked on the mechanics, but I’m Pay attention to the psychological approach and make sure these guys are clear minded.”
The addition of Wilkerson is the only change in Boone’s coaching staff from last season, when the Yankees won 94 won the AL Championship Series in the AL East before losing to the Astros.
“I feel like I’ve done enough for this ready,” Wilkes said. “Obviously it’s been a while since I’ve been in the big leagues, but I’m confident in my skills to let these guys relax, be themselves, and play to the fullest of their abilities.”
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