Written by Greg Fertel
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15 June 2007
- Age: 22
- Height: 5'11"
- Weight: 180 lbs
- Acquired: Drafted in the 17th Round out of the University of Alabama in 2006
- Position: Relief Pitcher
- Throws: Right
Scouting Report: In college, Robertson was throwing in the 94-95 mph range, but has settled in at 92-93 mph since being drafted. It has some late life to it. To compliment the fastball, Robertson has a plus power slider. He also throws a cutter. Robertson struggled with control in college, but has shown above average control in the minors so far.
History: Robertson was a very good closer in college, pitching 127 2/3 innings with a 2.96 ERA with 170 strikeouts and 65 walks. Scouts speculated that his control problems were less the result of poor command of the baseball and more Robertson shying away from the inside part of the plate to aluminum bats. To confirm their theory, Robertson had a phenominal Cape Code League season, earning the Playoff MVP award while striking out the future Yankee draft pick
Brad Suttle to secure the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox's championship. He was not scored upon in 15 innings. A draft-eligible sophomore, Robertson was not expected to sign, but the Yankees liked what they saw and offered Robertson a six figure bonus to come and play for them. He signed but was not assigned to the instructional league or winter ball, so no one got a chance to see him until the spring.
This Season: Robertson, the least experienced of the 2006 pitching class, was sent to Charleston to start the season. He has pitches as well as any pitcher in baseball. Robertson has thrown 41 innings with an ERA of 0.88. He has 59 strikeouts and has allowed just 14 walks and 22 hits. He has not allowed a home run. Those rates are 12.95 K/9, 3.07 BB/9, and 4.82 H/9. On top of that, he has a 2.20 GO/AO ratio. Robertson cannot possibly get better than this, and frankly should not still be in low A ball.
Outlook and Movement: Robertson should be in Tampa any day now. He'll probably start 2008 in Trenton, and if he succeeds against AA hitters could be on major league radar as soon as June or July. Even if the Yankees decide to play it conservative, he should be ready by 2009. He'll have a lot of arms to compete with for a major league spot, with
Mark Melancon, James Cox, and several other potential bullpen conversions potentially looking for a spot around that time.
Ranking: I was the only blogger on the internet to get real excited about Robertson last year, when I ranked him #27 out of my top 30. He's got classic power relief pitcher stuff, especially if he finds his velocity back to where it was in his college days. At least, we'll see if he's able to reach back for a controlled 96 mph fastball when he needs to. Of all the top level Yankee relief prospects, Robertson has the fewest injury concerns. He's cutting through A ball guys so quickly that to be honest, he may be even need the stop in Tampa. Like Whelan, Robertson is as good an internal option as they come when looking for a Mariano replacement. I can't wait to see him, Whelan, Melancon, Cox, and others work out of the Yankee bullpen in the coming years. This blog and Yankee fans tend to focus on our starting pitching depth, but the truth is we also have a deadly group of shut down guys in the bullpen.
Next up: Eric Duncan
