RiverDogs Are Well-Represented at Yankees' Spring Training
CHARLESTON, SC - The end of this week brings with it the best time of the year - baseball season. Pitchers and catchers within the New York Yankees organization will descend upon the spring training complex in Tampa, Fla. today, with the other position players not far behind.
The Yankees' 40-man roster will be in attendance, of which 14 former RiverDogs are a part of - yes, including former Charleston RiverDog (of two days) Alex Rodriguez. In addition, 27 non-roster invitees will make the trip to Tampa for big-league camp and of those 27, 16 are former RiverDogs giving Charleston 30 alumni at the Yankees' spring training.
YOUTH IS SERVED: Of the 30 former RiverDogs with the Yankees in spring training as non-roster invitees, four of them were part of the 2014 Charleston team.
LHP Jacob Lindgren was drafted by the Yanks in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft from Mississippi State University and quickly ascended within the system, playing 19 games across four levels. The southpaw pitched four games out of the bullpen for Charleston and compiled a 1-0 record with a 1.80 ERA at his second of four stops.
RHP Luis Severino joined the RiverDogs for four games at the tail end of the 2013 season and opened the 2014 campaign with the RiverDogs. Severino, who is widely regarded as the top prospect in the Yankees system, went 3-2 with a 2.79 ERA in 14 games before earning a promotion to High-A Tampa and ultimately to Double-A Trenton.
RHP Nick Rumbelow, like Severino, began the 2014 season with Charleston and like Lindgren pitched across four levels peaking at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Bullar, Texas native picked up five saves with nine-scoreless innings covering eight appearances. He allowed just four hits and struck out 18 opposing hitters.
OF Aaron Judge exploded on the scene in his first professional season and split the year between Charleston and Tampa. In 65 games with the RiverDogs, the 6-6 monster hit .333 (78-234) with 26 extra-base hits and 45 RBI before earning the nod to the Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League.
Remaining former RiverDogs at big-league camp include (year w/CHS in parentheses):
Pitchers: Dellin Betances (2008), Danny Burawa (2011), Vicente Campos (2012-13), Nick Goody (2012), Bryan Mitchell (2012), Ivan Nova (2007), James Pazos (2013), Jose Ramirez (2010-11) and Tyler Webb (2013).
Catchers: Francisco Arcia (2011-12), Kyle Higashioka (2010-12), John Ryan Murphy (2010-11), Austin Romine (2008) and Gary Sanchez (2011-12).
Infielders: Greg Bird (2013), Cito Culver (2012-13), Jose Pirela (2009), Rob Refsnyder (2012-13), Alex Rodriguez (2013) and Kyle Roller (2011).
Outfielder: Tyler Austin (2012), Jake Cave (2013), Ramon Flores (2010-11), Brett Gardner (2012), Slade Heathcott (2010-11) and Mason Williams (2012).
The RiverDogs, the Class A affiliate of the New York Yankees, begin their season on April 9 with a seven-game homestand that features the Lexington Legends (April 9-12) and the Augusta GreenJackets (April 13-15). Ticket information may be secured by contact the box office at 843/577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com. If you can't make the games, remember that RiverDogs baseball can be heard throughout the season on the flagship radio home, WTMA 1250AM.
--RIVERDOGS--