#Yankees No. 20 prospect Zack Littell ties career high with 10 Ks over six shutout IP (3H, 2BB) for @TrentonThunder. https://t.co/thwwz9o9Gv pic.twitter.com/dMZY3wNQ90
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 28, 2017
New York Yankees pitching prospect Zack Littell spoke with ESNY about the team’s recent movement as well as his career in the minor leagues.
In the eleventh round of the 2013 MLB Draft, the Seattle Mariners selected right-handed pitcher Zack Littell out of Eastern Alamance High School.
Littell was then traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for James Pazos following the 2016 season and has not looked back since.
The right-handed pitcher has climbed up the Yankees’ prospect rankings, landing himself at number 20 according to MLB Pipeline in the middle of this season.
In 18 games split between Tampa and Trenton this season, Littell is 13-1 with a 1.71 ERA and an 8.2 K/9. He has been the definition of lights out.
Like the rest of the players in the organization, Littell is very excited for the Yankees recent youth movement and is patiently waiting for his big shot in the major leagues to arrive.
“As far as the youth movement I think it’s encouraging to see guys like Montgomery and Severino get these opportunities, it shows you that the Yankees are invested in their young guys and makes you really push yourself to be the best.”
Based on Littell’s beliefs, it shows that the Yankees youth movement not only affects the players in the major leagues, but it also pushes the minor leaguers to work harder because they know their major league debut could be just a short time away.
One of the most recent young players to receive his call-up to the Bronx is left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who according to Littell, is a prime example of how fast things can change in the minor leagues.
“I was able to chat with Montgomery a little when he made a start in Tampa at the beginning of the year. Just to hear his story and how fast everything happened is pretty crazy and just shows how fast things can change.”
This just goes to show how at the beginning of the season Montgomery was not close to the position he is now and how it could inspire other minor leaguers to want to follow in his footsteps.
Despite all competing for the same spot, most of the young players in the Yankees system realize that they are all on the same team and help each other out when they need.
According to MLB Pipeline, Littell is not expected to reach the major leagues until 2019, which is only two short years away for the right-hander.
While he still has some time to go, the 21-year old is already excited for potentially donning the Yankee pinstripes one day and playing for one of the greatest sports organizations in history.