Veteran scouts who have watched Derek Jeter since 1996 believe he has gotten quicker at 37 than in previous seasons.
“His legs look quicker,’’ said a scout who watched Jeter play for the Yankees against Baltimore this week. “The first step out of the box is quicker. It doesn’t seem to show up in his range in the field, but the first step from the plate is quicker.’’
The scout timed Jeter in 4.24 and 4.25 seconds from home to first. The major league average from the right-handed batter’s box to first is 4.3.
Scouts who watched Jeter play against the Rays on Tropicana Field’s turf said Jeter was faster.
“He was 4.20 in Baltimore and the watches had him at 4.16 on the turf,’’ a scout said. “He looks great. He has found a natural fountain of youth.’’
Jeter, who has 10 hits in 27 at-bats and is batting. 370, has hit in five of the six Yankees games and went 4-for-4 Monday night in Baltimore.
* Yesterday’s off day gave manager Joe Girardi a chance to re-charge a bullpen he was forced to lean heavily on Tuesday and Wednesday in Baltimore because of a pair of extra-inning games and Freddy Garcia leaving Tuesday’s game after 4 2/3 innings.
In the last 15 1/3 innings worked by the bullpen, the other team hasn’t scored and has collected six hits. The last Yankees reliever to give up a run was Boone Logan. He surrendered a homer to the Rays’ Jeff Keppinger Sunday in the sixth inning.
* Though there is some hand-wringing about the Yankees’ .222 (14-for-63) average with runners in scoring position, the pitchers are holding opposing hitters to .210 (13-for-62) in the clutch.
* Jorge Posada will throw out the first pitch in the Yankees’ home opener today. … The Yankees have won 13 of the last 14 home openers and 18 of the previous 20.
* Jeter has been part of home openers since 1996 and never changes his thoughts about it.
“It never seems like the season officially gets underway until you have the home opener,’’ Jeter said.