Part 7/10:
The Mental Game: Pressure on the Young Guns
Perhaps the most unpredictable aspect of the upcoming season lies in the psyche of the younger players who will be under immense scrutiny. The transition from minor league to major league play often comes with intense pressure, particularly for teams like the Yankees where expectations are inherently high. For young players, particularly, the challenge is also about managing the mental aspect – are they prepared to handle the rigors of playing in New York?
Further complicating the situation is the looming question of how they will cope with inevitable failures. The young players may have the potential for greatness, but the pressure of playing for the Yankees could overwhelm any developmental progress they have made thus far.