After hitting .250/.250/.521 with four homers and a 102 wRC+ in 48 plate appearances in 2020, Kyle Higashioka was anointed as the starter in the postseason — without much success — over the struggling Gary Sánchez. Then Higashioka started off hot in the 2021 season, hitting .320/.414/.880 through April 27th, with four round-trippers and six RBI. His wRC+ was 240, and he had almost as many walks (13.8 BB%) as strikeouts (17.2 K%).
Considering his strong showing in 2020 and his hot start in 2021, Higashioka was making a case for increased playing time. I wondered whether he had the skillset to be a starter: he is a very nice fielder with a good arm, solid game-calling and framing skills.