KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If Jacob Lindgren makes it to the big leagues with the Yankees it will be as a reliever, according to scouting director Damon Oppenheimer, the man who took the left-hander with the club’s first pick in the MLB draft.
Selected with the 55th pick in the second round Thursday night, the 21-year-old lefty from Mississippi State went from a pedestrian starter in 2013 to a dominant reliever this past season when he struck out 100 batters in 55 ¹/₃ innings, allowed 23 hits (one extra base hit) and posted a 0.81 ERA in 26 games. Opposing hitters batted .124 (23-for-185).
“Me and the pitching coach decided to be a reliever this year. As a starter [my fastball] was in the upper 80s and low 90s,’’ Lindgren said. “Now I am throwing in the mid-90s. My slider plays better.’’
Using the scouts’ grading system of 20 to 80, Lindgren’s slider is rated at 65 and is thrown between 82-84 mph with bite. His fastball, which has been clocked as high as 95, is rated 60. The downside is Lindgren’s command has a 45 attached to it thanks to 25 walks.
Lindgren is represented by Bo McKinnis and is anxious to launch a professional career. He is looking at a $1.018,00 signing bonus.
“I want to sign as soon as possible and begin my dream as a New York Yankee. I am ready,’’ said the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Lindgren, who grew up in Bay St. Louis, Miss., as a Twins fan, has never been to New York and reminds some of former Yankee and current Tiger Phil Coke.
Lindgren was taken by the Cubs in the 12th round of the 2011 draft, but opted for college.
When the Yankees’ pick was announced on the MLB Network, it was mentioned that Lindgren has the tools to be the first player from this year’s draft to reach the majors. While he didn’t hear those words because he was celebrating, Lindgren soon became aware of them.
“I think it’s pretty cool that people think that, but making it to the big leagues is not easy,’’ Lindgren said. “It’s going to be hard work and I have to keep developing my game and get better one day at a time. If the Yankees think it’s my time to go up I am ready for it.’’
Including Lindgren, the Yankees selected five straight pitchers before taking Mark Payton, an outfielder from University of Texas in the seventh round.
With their second selection they took Austin DeCarr, a post-graduate at the Salisbury School in Connecticut. He was followed by Jordan Montgomery (University of South Carolina), Jordon Foley (Central Michigan) and Jonathan Holder, a teammate of Lindgren’s at Mississippi State.
“We did pretty good considering what was in the draft,’’ Oppenheimer said.
This is the second straight year the Yankees used their first pick on a college player. Last June, when the Yankees had three first round picks, they selected Notre Dame third baseman Eric Jagielo. The last time they used their top pick on a college pitcher was Andrew Brackman, who was the 30th pick in the 2007 season and never panned out due to injuries and a lack of control.
“Jacob has two major league pitches that are above average and possess swing-and-miss quality,” Oppenheimer said. “He has been extended for multiple innings and holds his stuff consistently. Jacob has been very successful in a tough conference and has produced exceptional strikeout numbers. We are very happy to have selected him.”