Every spring, there's a moment when Giancarlo Stanton steps up to the plate and reminds everyone why he's a force to be reckoned with. Thursday was one of those days.
In a tight 5-4 victory over the Orioles at Steinbrenner Field, the 36-year-old Yankees slugger was on fire. Stanton flirted with two home runs before finally sending one over the fence on his third attempt.
The first shot was a no-doubt rocket down the line, ruled foul, but anyone in the park knew it was close. His second attempt was a missile to center field, boasting exit velocity that had everyone in awe, only to be thwarted by the wind.
On a calmer day, Stanton might have left Tampa with a trio of homers. Instead, he settled for one, and the Yankees pocketed a win.
“If we can just bottle this up and move it north,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone joked afterward. “He looks great, feels great, obviously.”
A Look Back at Last Season
Before we get carried away, let's remember Stanton's past. Spring often brings optimism, but then injuries can complicate things.
In 2025, Stanton didn't debut until mid-June. He missed the first 70 games due to severe elbow issues, and surgery seemed imminent. However, he pushed through, rehabbed, and returned just before the All-Star break like a man on a mission.
His impact was immediate. In July and August, Stanton hit .309/.386/.721 with 17 homers and 43 RBIs, peaking with a 1.019 OPS. Over 77 games, he posted a .273/.350/.594 line with 24 homers and 66 RBIs, translating to a 158 wRC+-MVP-level numbers, despite playing in pain.
Stanton has been candid about his elbows. They're not going to heal fully.
“That’ll never be the case,” he admitted. Even simple tasks are tough, but swinging at 99 mph fastballs?
He’s still got it.
Why This Spring is Crucial
The Yankees need Stanton more than ever early in 2026. With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon out for a few weeks, maintaining offensive power is key.
This spring, Stanton's showing promise. Through eight games, he's hitting .273/.261/.818 with four homers and six RBIs.
The low on-base percentage is a quirk of spring stats, but his power is undeniable. The bat speed is back, and his elbow management seems effective.
Stanton's value isn’t just in his power-it's the fear he instills. When he's healthy, pitchers face tough choices.
Pitch around Judge, and Stanton's waiting. Face Bellinger or Rice, and Stanton's lurking.
A healthy Stanton makes the Yankees’ lineup one of the most formidable in the AL.
The Yankees expect 80 to 110 games from Stanton each year. Over the past five seasons, he's averaged 104 games and 28 homers annually. With 453 career home runs, he's nearing 500-a Hall of Fame milestone if injuries hadn’t cost him so many at-bats.
The real question is whether Stanton can stay on the field long enough to make his production count. Thursday was just one game. The next 162 are what truly matter.
But if the Stanton who nearly hit three homers against a major league defense this March is the same one who starts the season in San Francisco, the Yankees will be a tough team to beat.