The New York Yankees sit in last place in the American League East, something one former prospect blames on the organization\'s all-in approach to analytics.
Ben Ruta said big changes are needed for the franchise after its drastic pivot toward analytics didn\'t work out. He added that minor league coaches hired by recently fired hitting coach Dillon Lawson may need to be replaced.
\"Fully expect them to clear house in the minor leagues,\" Ruta wrote.
\"All the coaches were brought in by Dillon Lawson and the analytics guys. Lawson is the hitting coach who was let go. They will change developmental culture back to old Yankees days. Keep in mind, I played in the Yanks org. before analytics in \'16 to \'18, and then after in \'18 to \'20. Stark difference in development.\"
The Yankees drafted Ruta in the 30th round back in 2016. He said the team did a worse job emphasizing fundamentals after it chose to take a deep dive into analytics.
\"Here\'s all you need to know: In 2020, before COVID, we played a game called pitchers vs. hitters,\" Ruta wrote. \"The only way to win was to walk or hit a ball 95-mph-plus. There is no baseball being taught there anymore. No baserunning, moving runners, fundamentals, etc.\"