Day Eight: Joba Chamberlain

Age: 25 Bats: Right Throws: Right Height: 6'2" Weight: 230

Joba Chamberlain was drafted by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 2006 amateur draft. Chamberlain played 19 games in the big leagues in 2007 after climbing the ranks from single-A in one year. Chamberlain was rated as the #75 top prospect by Baseball America prior to the 2007 season and climbed all the way to #3 the following year.

Chamberlain started his Yankees career at the age of 21 pitching for the Tampa Yankees. He started seven games and finished with an impressive 4-0 record. He threw for 40 innings, giving up 25 hits, and 10 runs (9 earned). He completed his time with the T-Yanks with a 2.02 ERA before progressing to Double-A. Chamberlain played in eight games with the Trenton Thunder and recorded a win-loss record of 4-2. He had a 3.35 ERA in 40 and one third innings pitched. He gave up 32 hits, 15 earned runs, and four homeruns.

The Yankees saw great things from Chamberlain and in the same year, promoted him to Triple-A. In just three games with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, Chamberlain posted a 1-0 record and a 0.00 ERA. In his eight innings pitched he walked one batter and gave up only five hits. It was time for the big show, and Chamberlain joined a stellar pitching staff which included Roger Clemens, Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte.

Chamberlain threw for 19 games while keeping a 0.38 ERA. He struck out 34 batters, and only gave up 12 hits, two runs (one earned) and one homerun in 24 innings pitched. Chamberlain has since stayed playing at the Major League level and has appeared in three post seasons with the Yankees. Chamberlain will continue to impress the coaches as he looks to lock down one of the bullpen spots.