Brian Cashman found another hidden gem for the New York Yankees
Absolutely no one paid any attention when the New York Yankees brought Ron Marinaccio back to the majors in May. He was a 19th round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, serving in a middle relief role as he climbed through the system. It is a role that he has taken on in the majors as well, one that does not generate much attention or fanfare.
His overall body of work is solid enough. Marinaccio has posted a 2.45 ERA and a 0.927 WHiP in his 18.1 innings, striking out 23 batters with ten walks. There is no question that he has emerged as a solid piece in the Yankees’ bullpen, and one that could end up seeing work in higher leverage situations.
Ron Marinaccio proving to be an impressive piece for the New York Yankees
Even those numbers do not tell the true story. Marinaccio had been sent to Triple-A at the end of April after he allowed five runs on six hits and a walk while recording five outs in his previous two outings. After spending close to three weeks in the minors, he returned to New York as injuries began to mount yet again.
He has been as close as possible to unhittable in that time. He has allowed just one hit to the last 60 batters he has faced spanning 15.1 innings, issuing eight walks with 17 strikeouts. That one hit was an infield single on a weak grounder to third that Gio Urshela was able to leg out.
It speaks volumes as to what Brian Cashman and the Yankees scouting department have been able to do. They saw something in Marinaccio during his time at the University of Delaware that they could develop, turning him into a pitcher that generates plenty of weak contact as a reliever.
Chances are, he will end up being sent down again as the Yankees pitching staff is starting to get healthy. Marinaccio has options and as their bullpen has dominated, he could be considered expendable. However, his performance since returning to the majors could force the Yankees to rethink those plans.
Ron Marinaccio has been a force of nature in the New York Yankees bullpen. Brian Cashman and the scouting department found yet another bargain.