Why Yankees’ Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole approve of new analytics whiz in dugout

TAMPA, Fla. — The New York Yankees had a communication problem. Amid all the things that went wrong last year that led to a season that general manager Brian Cashman called a “disaster,” some players felt like the analytics they received from the front office wasn’t delivered well. Alternatively, it might come at the wrong times or in the wrong ways or from the wrong people. The information was good, and the intentions were better, but something was off. Even Aaron Judge alluded to it after the final game of the regular season. They needed a fix.

Enter Aaron Leanhardt, who has a doctorate from MIT and spent seven years as a physics professor at the University of Michigan.

“It’s an important role,” ace Gerrit Cole said.

Leanhardt, who spent the last two seasons as the Yankees’ assistant hitting coordinator, will be the newest face in the Yankees dugout, taking over the role previously held by Zac Fieroh. Fieroh, however, is still employed by the club and will work in an off-the-field role.

Manager Aaron Boone said he was impressed with Leanhardt already.

“Intelligence, work ethic, he’s connected well, started to forge relationships, and he’s done a good job with all of it,” the manager said.

Boone pointed out Leanhardt’s coaching background, which should help him better understand how to facilitate communication between the clubhouse and the front office. Leanhardt worked as a hitting coach in the lower level of the Yankees’ minor leagues for three seasons and has been in the organization for seven total. He also coached at Dawson Community College in Montana.

On Thursday, owner Hal Steinbrenner said he had been speaking with Cole recently about how information was being presented to players.

“We’ve added a new person in the clubhouse,” Steinbrenner said, “a guy here from Tampa that is unbelievably versed and intelligent in analytics but also was a coach — a college coach, actually. Great working with people, great explaining things and teaching things and listening to what the people he’s dealing with had to say. Judge already met with him one-on-one over there for an hour or two, working with him and he likes him. So he’s going to be a great addition.

“So many questions about significant changes. We’re introducing somebody new to the clubhouse. That’s a significant change, as far as I’m concerned.”

After the Yankees lost to the Kansas City Royals to finish last season 82-80 and in fourth place in the American League East, Judge said he’d like to see the team focus on some stats and less on others. He also suggested the team needed a “better process” for communicating analytics to younger players.

“As a player, I do a pretty good job filtering what I need to filter, but I think maybe some of the younger guys are just kind of getting into it,” Judge said at the time.

Cole said Leanhardt’s blend of analytics knowledge and experience dealing daily with baseball players would prove vital. Cole added that communication between the front office and the clubhouse won’t be just top-down. Leanhardt will be helpful when players want to convey messages about certain things to the front office.

“We have a lot of coaches who are versed in analytics to a certain extent,” Cole said. “But Aaron (Leanhardt) has a thesis that’s published. It’s a different level. But also just super versed in the clubhouse dynamic and the player dynamic as well.”

If Leanhardt’s students are any indication, he should excel in the Yankees dugout. His page on Rate My Professors has a perfect score.

“He’s the main faucet that kind of taps into the players,” Cole said. “It’s an important piece.”

(Photo of Aaron Judge: New York Yankees / Getty Images)