LOS ANGELES — In October, Giancarlo Stanton has showcased his status as one of the most effective postseason players of his generation. However, discussions in recent years have often focused on his struggles rather than his strengths.
During last year’s general manager meetings, Yankees GM Brian Cashman caused a stir with his candid comments regarding the former MVP. “We try to limit the time he’s down, but I’m not gonna tell you he’s gonna play every game next year because he’s not,” Cashman stated. “He’s going to wind up getting hurt again, more likely than not, because it seems to be part of his game.” This unfiltered remark was met with backlash, but it accurately reflected Stanton’s history of injuries, which have plagued him throughout his 15-year career, impacting his mobility and reducing his capacity to play as an outfielder.
Despite the toll of injuries, Stanton retains one unparalleled skill: his extraordinary power. “It’s massive bat speed,” remarked Yankees assistant hitting coach Casey Dykes. “It’s the best in the world. That’s where the power comes from.” Statcast, which has tracked batted ball data since 2015, introduced bat tracking in 2024, further confirming Stanton’s impressive bat speed, averaging 81.2 mph even at 34 years old. This feat is remarkable, particularly given the typical decline in bat speed among athletes as they age.
Stanton has continually adjusted his batting stance throughout his career to maintain his hitting prowess. “I’m always in the lab searching, trying to find the way I could be the most successful over a long period of time,” he noted, acknowledging the evolution of his approach at the plate.
Though his overall skills have waned, Stanton’s dedication to maintaining his strength has kept him relevant in his mid-30s, allowing him to play a crucial role in the Yankees’ pursuit of a championship. This October, he has further enhanced his impressive postseason resume, particularly with a stellar performance in the ALCS against Cleveland, where he hit four home runs and earned ALCS MVP honors.
Stanton has built a reputation synonymous with home runs from the start of his career. While players like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have also made their mark in power-hitting, Stanton’s slugging ability was apparent from his first season in the minor leagues in 2008, when he led the South Atlantic League with 39 home runs. Stanton made his MLB debut at 20 and has since amassed 428 regular-season home runs, positioning him as the active home run leader following the retirements of Miguel Cabrera and Nelson Cruz.
Stanton, however, is not preoccupied with personal milestones; instead, his focus is on helping the Yankees secure their 28th championship. Manager Aaron Boone praised Stanton’s preparation and focus, highlighting the work he does behind the scenes to ensure his success.
“I gotta study pitchers all the time,” Stanton explained, emphasizing the importance of analyzing opponents and understanding the environments he plays in. His meticulous preparation includes hitting practice with teammate Judge ahead of critical games to ensure he is ready from the first pitch.
Stanton’s long-awaited World Series appearance comes after a lengthy career marked by postseason near-misses. Facing the Dodgers adds a personal layer to this moment, as they are the team he admired growing up and the franchise that initially passed on him during the draft process.
As Stanton steps onto the field in Los Angeles for the World Series, he is poised to solidify his legacy even further after a remarkable postseason performance that has propelled the Yankees to this significant moment.