From Pensacola to Pinstripes

This offseason we are looking at the top Wahoo Wonders in Blue Wahoos history as we head into our fifth season. Didi Gregorius replaced the legendary Derek Jeter in 2015 with the Yankees, but before that, he played in Pensacola for half of the 2012 season. 

Didi Gregorius started the 2012 season with the Blue Wahoos, getting the Double-A team's first hit and starting the season on fire at the plate batting .333 in April. He earned a Southern League All-Star selection and a promotion to Triple-A Louisville Bats after 81 games in Pensacola, where he batted .278/.344/.373. Before moving on to Triple-A, Gregorius smashed a two-run homer July 3- his first and only longball for the Blue Wahoos - to lead Pensacola to victory over the Jacksonville Suns. He finished the day going 3-4 with a homer, triple and four RBIs. By Sept. 5 the athletic Dutch national and defensive-wizard-in-the-making made his major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds. Scouts who questioned Gregorius' plate discipline and consistency with the glove entering 2012, now had him battling for the Reds starting shortstop position.

Instead, the former Wahoos shortstop had the once-in-a-century challenge in 2015 of replacing the legendary and future Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter after joining the Yankees in a three-team trade in December 2014. Gregorius showed off his exceptional range and an excellent arm on defense, leaping and diving all over the left side of the infield like he did in Pensacola. The 25-year-old Yankee also proved himself at the plate in 2015 with nine home runs, 56 RBIs and hitting .265/.315/.370 in 155 games. With more seasons like that, expect Gregorius to become a permanent fixture in the big leagues.