Yankees’ Killer-Bs Not Only Pitchers Turning Heads Of Yankees Brass

All die-hard Yankee fans should, by now, know about the Yankees “Killer-Bs” currently pitching in the minors. Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos, and Andrew Brackman, who has struggled in AAA this season, all project to be big time MLB talent. Betances and Banuelos currently sit a level below Brackman but with Brackmans struggles in AAA they may be closer to the MLB. Although all three of these pitchers have Yankee fans excited for the future they may not be the team’s only option. Among the “Killer-Bs” in AA and AAA sit a few other Yankee starters who have turned heads this season. After the jump you may meet them.

Craig Heyer– Trenton Thunder

• 7-4
• 3.19 ERA
• 90.1 IP
• 41 K 19 BB

Heyer may not be the flashiest pitcher in the Yankees farm system but he gets the job done. Heyer doesn’t strike out every batter he faces and he often allows more hits than IP, but a former Yankee named Andy Pettitte made a living pitching that way. Oh you heard of him?

Adam Warren– Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

• 6-3
• 3.20 ERA
• 104 IP
• 67 K 38 BB

Although Warren those not get the same attention as the “Killer-Bs” he was a 4th round pick out of UNC in 2009 and has performed as so. Although he has had two consecutive so-so starts from June 9th-25th Warren made 4 starts, had 29 IP, allowed 2 ER, and struckout 17.

D.J. Mitchell– Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

• 6-7
• 3.20 ERA
• 98.1 IP
• 66 K 35 BB

Mitchell much like Warren was drafted “early”, 10th round, and has performed up to what should be expected. If one was to dissect Mitchell’s numbers he is even better than his already impressive numbers show.  It seems Mitchell suffers from AJ Burnetts inconsistency disease except where A.J. struggles on the road D.J. struggles at home. His home/road ERA splits are 5.36/1.60. If Mitchell can post an 1.60 ERA on the road he has more talent than his 6-7 record shows. Maybe him and A.J. should remove the periods from their name like CC Sabathia.

David Phelps– Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

• 4-6
• 3.38
• 85.1 IP
• 74 K 22 BB

Phelps is a name that Yankee fans have probably heard over the past few seasons. He has performed beyond expectations at every level so far in his pro career and if not for a poor April and one bad start in June this season would be another A+ for Phelps. Although Phelps currently holds a 4-6 record his 3.38 ERA, and under 3.00 for May and June, shows he is still defeating doubters who may not believe he is the real deal. In my opinion with Phelps; 74 Ks to 22 BBs he may be the most ML ready of the bunch.

Knowing the Yankees as well as I do, fan since 1995, most of these guys will spend their ML career in another uniform. What they have achieved is the “Killer-Bs” may not be untouchables and the Yankees may have more options than fans and so-called “experts” believe.

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