Mister Robertson Sailing Along
Via Kevin Kernan –
There are two young relievers on the fast track to Yankee Stadium, one you’ve heard about – Mark Melancon. The other has been quietly streaking up the ranks. His name is David Robertson.
Remember the name. When you see him pitch, you’ll certainly remember the curve ball. That’s his out pitch, a pitch that is a lost art to this baseball generation.
“His curve ball is amazing,” says one National League scout, who recently saw Robertson pitch. “Combine that with the command of his fastball, and you really have something special.”
Robertson, 23, recently was promoted from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Last June, I wrote about another young pitcher in the Yankees system who was better than Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, even though those two pitchers were getting all the pub. His name was Joba Chamberlain.
Robertson is not in the same speed class as Chamberlain, but he could wind up inheriting his setup role in the bullpen. He’s that talented.
“He might be the guy,” GM Brian Cashman says of Robertson.
I shared a report on Roberston last February. At this point, what are the Yankees waiting for? Let’s get rid of Hawkins and give Robertson a try.
[...] Last week it was the Post singing the praises for David Robertson. This week it’s the Daily News. Via Mark Feinsand: Robertson, a 5-11 righthander, was taken in the 17th round of the 2006 draft after serving as the closer at the University of Alabama. The Yankees thought of him as a draft-and-follow player, but after an impressive summer in the Cape Cod League in which he developed an above-average curveball, the Yankees gave him a $200,000 bonus to leave college and join the organization. [...]