Yankees observations: One quick hit on each player as ALDS vs Royals begins

NEW YORK - On the eve of their playoff opener, the Yankees arrive at MLB's October tournament with some things already having gone their way.

Gone are the Houston Astros, that frustrating foe of past Octobers, and the Baltimore Orioles - a formidable club that had won eight of 13 games against the Yanks this season.

"We have a great shot,'' said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, generally on the subject of winning the franchise's first title since 2009. "But we only have a great shot if we play our best baseball.''

Before the Yankees host the Kansas City Royals in Saturday's Game 1 in the best-of-five AL Division Series, a few quick-hit observations on the roster entering postseason:

Aaron Judge

The grind of his 62-homer pursuit in 2022 might have impacted a non-productive ALCS, but his time, he could be primed for a big postseason.

Gerrit Cole

He’d rather have 200 innings entering October, but he’s at midseason form and trending upward as postseason begins.

Juan Soto

Already has 29 games worth of postseason experience, including a World Series ring; thrives in the spotlight, and this is as big as it gets.

Carlos Rodon

The home runs can scare you, but he’s a more complete pitcher now, coming off a healthy regular season, winning half of his 32 starts.

Giancarlo Stanton

An impact postseason hitter, with 11 homers and a .963 OPS in 27 career playoff games.

Luke Weaver

Yankees had a huge question mark in the closer’s spot in early September, and Weaver has quickly filled the void entering October.

Anthony Volpe

Reaches his first postseason after a streaky season of highs and lows, and September was his toughest month (.177 average, .432 OPS).

Clarke Schmidt

Seems better positioned to start Game 3 at Kansas City over Luis Gil, whose walk rate is a concern.

Gleyber Torres

Batting .313 with an .840 OPS in 39 games since becoming the team’s leadoff hitter. Likely in his last month as a Yankee.

Anthony Rizzo

Desperately trying to make the ALDS roster despite fractured fingers. Yankees could use his defense and on-field leadership.

Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Can impact a game with his power and speed, but he’s not a natural third baseman, and Rizzo might not be there to save wayward throws.

Luis Gil

He’s never had a bullpen role before, but pitching coach Matt Blake mentioned the potential upside of his arsenal playing up as a postseason reliever.

Oswaldo Cabrera

More valuable in a utility role than locked into first base in Rizzo’s absence. Except against the toughest lefties, almost exclusively a lefty hitter now.

Clay Holmes

Has 30 regular season saves, but winds up in an October setup role – best positioned against righty hitters – due to a shaky late summer stretch and Weaver’s ascension.

Jasson Dominguez

Didn’t set it ablaze offensively in a small September big-league window, and now his left field defense has become an issue.

Alex Verdugo

Wouldn’t shock to see him start Game 1 in left field at Yankee Stadium over Dominguez. Still capable of a big offensive moment, despite a summer-long struggle.

Ian Hamilton

Yankees’ bullpen might be better now than at any point in the year, and his comeback from a lat strain is one more reason.

Trent Grisham

Enough occasional power, with elite center field defense, to merit a reserve spot.

Tim Hill

Discarded by the historically bad Chicago White Sox, Hill posted a 2.05 ERA (35 games) with the Yanks and could play a vital role as possibly the lone lefty setup man.

Austin Wells

Lefty-hitting rookie catcher earned the staff’s respect and hit his way into the 4/5 spots, but struggled in September (.111 batting average, .411 OPS).

Jake Cousins

Another castoff from the White Sox who found pinstriped success. Slider is a big weapon, and Yanks need him in top form after a late season pectoral strain.

Jon Berti

Could be an even more vital right-hitting infield option off the bench, with base stealing ability, if Cabrera is pressed into a starting role.

Jose Trevino

Strictly the backup to Wells now, with just 48 plate appearances since coming off the IL on Aug. 16.

Marcus Stroman

Not in the plans for a postseason start. With an unknown postseason role, other than depth, he seems on the bubble for a roster spot.

Ben Rice

Lefty hitting rookie showed some good offensive signs in 49 games as Rizzo’s first base injury replacement before dropping off. Now, might be forced to sub for Rizzo in October.

Tommy Kahnle

Dares hitters with changeup after changeup, throwing that pitch 73.1 percent of the time in 2024, according to MLB Statcast.

Nestor Cortes

His flexor tendon issue is probably a season-ender, and it’s a significant hit to the Yanks’ staff, due to his versatility and moxie.

DJ LeMahieu

Hasn’t been ruled out for an ALDS spot yet, but still a long shot for this round, coming off a hip impingement and an overall rough season.

Mark Leiter Jr.

Due to a 4.98 ERA in 21 games as a Yankee, he’s on the bubble for a bullpen roster spot, along with fellow relievers Cody Poteet, Clayton Beeter and Tim Mayza.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees observations: One quick hit on each player as ALDS vs Royals begins