As they grew up, with Simmons playing shortstop and Gregorius playing second base, they shared ambitions of reaching the big leagues. “When you’re a little kid and you’re one of the two best players on your team, you think it’s easy, you think it’s possible,” Simmons said. Unable to reach an agreement with the Atlanta Braves for Simmons, the Yankees swung a three-way deal to land Gregorius from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Eppler, who was an assistant to Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, was hired by the Angels a year later. Besides their backgrounds, stellar defense and bowlegged gait, Simmons and Gregorius share a trait that some believe has contributed to their late-blooming bats.

Source: New York Times April 29, 2018 23:07 UTC