Drew Finley Belying his Youth as a Yankees Farmhand https://t.co/GrqQeoNTvG pic.twitter.com/cMHWSHvRo3
— Pinstriped Prospects (@PinstripedPros) June 17, 2016
In this edition of ESNY’s New York Yankees Prospect Profile, we take a look at right-handed pitcher Drew Finley.
The New York Yankees selected right-handed pitcher Drew Finley with their pick in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
The right-hander attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California which has produced four big leaguers within the past 20 years including Cole Hamels and Hank Blalock.
Finley has advanced sound through the system throughout the past few years, he is now currently ranked as the number 18 overall prospect in the Yankees farm, according to MLB.com.
The 20-year old has a repertoire which includes a fastball, changeup and a curveball that is the definition of lights out. His fastball has a lot of movement on it with good control and usually sits around 89-93 m.p.h. and has touched 95.
As mentioned, the pitch scouts look at most with Finley is his curveball, which was widely regarded as one of the best breaking pitches heading into the 2015 draft. It is truly a dominant pitch which he has a ton of confidence in.
Take a look at what scouts have to say about the rest of his skills:
Scouting grades via MLB Pipeline: Fastball: 55 / Curveball: 60 / Changeup: 50 / Control: 55 / Overall: 45
As seen by the grades, scouts have given Finley above average ratings for his fastball, curveball and his control. It is very promising that the right-hander is able to locate his pitches so well at such a young age, which will only get better with age.
Finley’s first season in the Yankees organization came in 2015 where he went directly to the Pulaski Yankees after being selected in the draft while still being only 18 years old.
In 2015 with Pulaski, the right-hander sported an ERA of 3.94 in 12 starts with 41 strikeouts. This was a very promising debut season for a pitcher who the Yankees feel like they have a very special talent in.
Following a great debut season in Pulaski, New York felt like it would be a good idea to let the pitcher begin the season with their Single-A affiliate Staten Island Yankees. Unfortunately, his campaign would be cut short following a bite by the injury bug.
In just six starts with Staten Island in 2016, Finley went 0-3 with a 4.28 ERA and 20 strikeouts. He was then forced to the disabled list due to tiredness in his elbow which prevented him from appearing in any more games for the rest of the season.
The right-hander is expected to return for the 2017 campaign fully healthy and ready to show the organization and it’s fans what he is made of and how he can one day help the big league club.
It will be a while though until Yankees fans see the right-hander in the Bronx since MLB Pipeline suggests that he will not receive his call-up until 2018 and showcase a ceiling that suggests a middle of the rotation starter.
