New York Yankees: Justus Sheffield moved to bullpen for a September call up

The New York Yankees have moved their top prospect to the bullpen in preparation for a September call up. Will this move pay off for the team?

According to MLB Pipeline, Justus Sheffield is the top prospect in the New York Yankees farm system.  Sheffield also ranks twenty-seventh on the MLB’s top 100 prospects list.  As the Bronx Bombers have their sights set on their twenty-eighth World Series Championship, they are going to call up their prized left-hander to help out in September.

Jack Curry, an analyst for the YES Network, reported through Twitter that Sheffield would be moved to the bullpen in preparation for a September call up.  The Tweet specified that Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman would like Sheffield to make three or four appearances out of the bullpen before he is called up to the MLB level.

Although Sheffield is a starting pitcher, it makes sense to call him up as a reliever.  The Yankees acquired Lance Lynn and J.A. Happ prior to the trade deadline, so they do not currently have an opening in their rotation.  If there is an injury, the team would likely look towards Chance Adams, Luis Cessa or Jonathan Loaisiga to start, which would still leave Sheffield without a rotation spot.  Due to this, using him as a reliever will maximize his value to the 2018 Yankees.

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This strategy has paid off for teams that want to get their top prospects involved in a postseason push.  For example, in 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays called up their top prospect David Price to help down the stretch.  Price performed very well through his five appearances in the regular season and his five appearances in the postseason.  He even recorded a save in Game 7 of the ALCS to help the Rays reach their first ever World Series.

The Yankees have a very strong bullpen already, but there is always room for more pitching, especially in September.  When the month of September rolls around, the Yankees will be able to have their entire 40-man roster up at one time which will allow the team to further bolster its bullpen.

As Aroldis Chapman has been battling knee-pain, the door could open for Zach Britton to close games.  This would then leave the team without another left-handed reliever for specific matchups.  Therefore, the team will add Sheffield to their bullpen to give Manager Aaron Boone additional matchup options.  It will also give Sheffield a chance to play in meaningful games and tryout for the postseason roster.

Sheffield is not currently on the 40-man roster, so a move will need to be made to get him onto the roster.  Potential players that could be designated for assignment to make room for the lefty include Shane Robinson, Ryan Bollinger, and A.J. Cole.  The Yankees could also potentially look to move Luke Voit or Sonny Gray to another team to make room for Sheffield.  Regardless of the roster decision, the promising left-hander will have an opportunity to help the Yankees as they attempt to get back to the World Series.