New York Yankees: 2012 Starting Lineup Predicted Stats

The Yankees seem to be content to go into the 2012 season with the lineup they have now.  

Offensively, as a team, the Yankees led Major League Baseball in home runs and walks.  They were second in the league in runs and RBI.  They were fourth in the league with stolen bases.  

Last year's statistics show that the Yankees have a good blend of power and speed.

Here are the 2012 predicted stats for the starting lineup of the New York Yankees.

Derek Jeter

For Derek Jeter, the 2011 season started right where the 2010 season left off.  Jeter continued to struggle, and it looked as if the captain's amazing career was coming to an end.  

In the first half of the season, Jeter had a batting average of .270 in 68 games and 24 RBI.  Then, while on the disabled list in June, Jeter worked on his swing with his first manager Gary Denbo, and something clicked.  Jeter ended the season with a .297 average because of a .327 average over his last 63 games.

The question for 2012 is whether Jeter will continue his resurgent success or if the end of last season was the last time we will see the Derek Jeter we all know.

2012 Projected Stats:

Batting Average: .295

Home Runs: 7

RBI: 68

Hits: 177

Stolen Bases: 14

Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson had his breakout season last year and was snubbed from the MVP award.  The main issue coming into last season was Granderson's struggles against left-handed pitching.  Working with Kevin Long clearly made a difference, as he hit .309 against lefties last year.  

Can Curtis have another MVP-caliber season?

2012 Projected Stats:

Batting Average: .274

Home Runs: 34

RBI: 103

Hits: 167

Stolen Bases: 24

Robinson Cano

Over the past few years, Robinson Cano has established himself as the best hitter in New York and possibly baseball.  Cano has also been a durable player, as he has played in almost every game in the past five seasons.  

Cano is probably going to be hitting third in the lineup, so expect great numbers again. 

2012 Projected Stats:

Batting Average: .313

Home Runs: 36

RBI: 127

Hits: 202

Stolen Bases: 5

Alex Rodriguez

Injuries are stunting the success of Alex Rodriguez.  If he can find a way to stay healthy he would be back as one of the best hitters in the game.  A-Rod only played in 99 games last year, but if you stretch his season out to 162 games, he would have had 26 home runs and 101 RBI.

2012 Projected Stats:

Batting Average: .287

Home Runs: 39

RBI: 134

Hits: 166

Stolen Bases: 10

Mark Teixeira

The 2011 season showed that Marky Mark Teixeira is still one of the best power hitters in baseball.  It also showed that he continues to struggle to come up with big hits for the Yanks.

Mark Teixeira has to find a way to fix his poor batting average, which he has had the past two seasons. 

2012 Projected Stats:

Batting Average: .269

Home Runs: 34

RBI: 108

Hits: 173

Stolen Bases: 3

Nick Swisher

Nick Swisher came to New York and gave the Yankees a shot of life.  His energy has made him a fan favorite.  However, his playoff struggles have not.  Swisher's name has come up in different trade speculations this season, but as of now he remains with the Yankees.  Expect a big season as it is the final year of his current contract.

2012 Projected Stats:

Batting Average: .254

Home Runs: 30

RBI: 88

Hits: 144

Stolen Bases: 1

Jesus Montero

Jesus Montero is the Yankees' top prospect and they finally brought him up to the big stage last season.  In his short stint with the Yanks, he was able to live up to the hype and give Yankees fans hope for the future.  

If you stretch his 2011 numbers out over 162 games, his stats look like this: avg. .328, 36 HRs, 108 RBI.

2012 Projected Stats:

Batting Average: .304

Home Runs: 24

RBI: 86

Hits: 180

Stolen Bases: 0

Russell Martin

Russell Martin had exactly the season he had to have last year with the Yankees.  He is on the team for his defensive ability.  Martin played excellent defense last year and helped the pitchers excel.  His gritty style and hard work brings fans back to the '90s with players like Scott Brosius and Paul O'Neill.

Rightfully so, the Yankees re-signed Martin for another year and the Yankees lineup could be the best ever if he is able to find his swing from his early days with the Dodgers.

2012 Projected Stats:

Batting Average: .251

Home Runs: 14

RBI: 61

Hits: 101

Stolen Bases: 11

Brett Gardner

Brett "The Jet" Gardner has become the Yankees' primary base stealer and a great defensive player.  His inconsistencies and inability to take the next step as an offensive player has locked him in as the No. 9 hitter for the Yankees.  He will continue to be valuable if he is able to steal bases like he has in the past.

2012 Projected Stats:

Batting Average: .266

Home Runs: 5

RBI: 41

Hits: 134

Stolen Bases: 51