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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone reveals leadoff hitter for MLB Opening Day 2023

Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave a hint at what the Yankees' lineup construction would look like when he was quizzed about whether they could possibly start a rookie to leadoff Rizzo and Judge come opening day.

Aaron Boone implies that both Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza will have a big impact this season

Boone adds that DJ LeMahieu will be the leadoff hitter on Opening Day https://t.co/oRiKWB7oFR
"Aaron Boone implies that both Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza will have a big impact this season. Boone adds that DJ LeMahieu will be the leadoff hitter on Opening Day," Talkin' Yanks, Twitter

Speaking to Jomboy and Talkin' Jake, Boone made it very clear that he'd opt to start MLB vet DJ LeMahieu aka "LeMachine," siding with experience over youth.

"DJ will be leading off on Opening Day," Boone was quoted saying on the Talkin' Yanks podcast.

The move comes as no surprise considering the manager favors LaMahieu at the top of his lineup, even over the likes of superstars Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo. LeMahieu also compliments the batters thanks to his fearless attitude up front.

“He’s so good hitting in front of Aaron, because he’s not afraid to get to two strikes,” Boone said. “There were so many at-bats last year where he got in a 3-1 count where it’s like, the hitter in you, he’ll take a pitch, even if it means getting to 3-2, just knowing who was behind him.
"It’s like, ‘I’m going to do all I can to get on.’ Before he got injured, he was about .400 on-base. That’s what you want out of the leadoff hitter, somebody that’s getting on.”

LaMahieu's foot injury might have sidelined him at a pivotal time in the league last season, but Boone remains confident that the seasoned vet still has his best in him. What remains to be seen is how well he does once the season starts, and only time will answer that.

DJ LeMahieu is a four-time Gold Glove Awardee

Selected by the Chicago Cubs in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft out of LSU, LeMahieu made his debut with the team in 2011. He has also played for the Colorado Rockies and the New York Yankees, where he is currently at.

Versatile on defense and with his hitting ability, LeMahieu is a three-time All-Star who has won four Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards. He has twice been the batting champion and has also made it to the All-MLB First Team twice in his career.

Matt Chapman #26 of the Toronto Blue Jays slides in safely ahead of the tag by DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees for a second inning double at Yankee Stadium on August 18, 2022 in New York City.
Matt Chapman #26 of the Toronto Blue Jays slides in safely ahead of the tag by DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees for a second inning double at Yankee Stadium on August 18, 2022 in New York City.

In 2022, he became the first recipient of the American League Gold Glove Award for a utility player.

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