New York Yankees: Justus Sheffield not ready for primetime?
The New York Yankees currently have the second-best record in Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, the team with the best record in baseball has a six and a half game lead in the American League East.
However, there’s is still time for the New York Yankees to catch the Boston Red Sox before this season comes to a close. Justus Sheffield is one player Yankees fans will be keeping an eye on as we get into the month of September and rosters expand.
Unfortunately, Sheffield may not be as ready as most fans hope because of his expected role with the Big League club. According to some reports, Sheffield has struggled while making the adjustment to coming out of the bullpen during recent appearances in Triple-A.
The 27th ranked prospect in MLB has earned his opportunity to pitch in the Majors during this season. He has a .257 earned run average across 16 starts while pitching in Triple-A this season. The left-handed starter also has an impressive .207 batting average against with 77 strikeouts in 82 1/3 innings pitched during that span.
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His future in pinstripes will be near the top of this rotation. However, for Sheffield to have an impact during the stretch run this season he will need to be able to pitch out of the pen. The Bronx Bombers are in the midst of yet another historic pennant race and Sheffield has a chance to make a name for himself over the next five weeks.
You don’t have to look back into history very far to find another young left-handed Minor League starter who made a successful transition to the bullpen in the Majors. Josh Hader of the Milwaukee Brewers made his debut during the 2017 season as a fireman type of reliever and has turned himself into the top left-handed reliever in baseball.
The good thing for Sheffield is that his transition to the pen is only temporary, whereas Hader has found a home there. MLB Pipelines gives him a 60 grade for both his fastball and slider along with a 55 grade for his changeup. If he can develop the changeup a little bit more, he will be a difference maker in the rotation.
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Luckily the New York Yankees won’t be depending on his success to reach the postseason. If Sheffield is ineffective, he’ll get his real opportunity next Spring. One way or another, we’ll be seeing Sheffield in the Bronx soon.