When a prospect is trying to make his way through the minor
leagues and to the Major Leagues no one bothers to ask him what he thinks about
it all. Not that they should but he is the one that worked all his life to get
drafted and then continued to work all his life to make it to the big stage.
The prospect rode the bumpy bus rides to and from minor league games and got
paid less than minimum wage in some cases when you count personal appearances
and charity events for the team. The prospect went through a lot and it can be
discouraging when a veteran is acquired to block his path to the Major Leagues.
It can be hard to keep a straight poker face and say all the right things but
the Yankees second base prospect Robert Refsnyder is doing just that.
In no way should anyone feel sorry for Refsnyder, that’s not
the point of this article. Refsnyder was not promised the second base job, not
even in a platoon with Dustin Ackley, and he was far from promised a place on
the 25 man roster. The Yankees had an opportunity to upgrade at second base and
they did it with Starlin Castro. Castro rode those same bumpy bus rides and did
those same charity events that Refsnyder did after working all his life to get
here. I just worry about Refsnyder specifically because he has seemingly let
this bother him before.
Refsnyder seems to me, just based on watching his
interactions as a minor league player and his interviews he gives and such,
like a guy that wears his heart on his sleeve. He was brought up to work hard
and be great at everything that you do and when he’s not he seems like he
becomes his own worst enemy. You can get over that with age and wisdom but I
just worry about it. Refsnyder, and the rest of us mind you, presumably thought
he would get a look at the starting job last season when Martin Prado was
traded only for the Yankees to sign Stephen Drew. Refsnyder presumably thought
he was going to get an extended look after the All-Star Break with Drew
struggling and he was sent back down to make room for Carlos Beltran. Refsnyder
presumably thought he had a shot at the starting job again this season before
Castro was acquired. Every time Refsnyder presumably thinks he is going to get
the job only to get shot down his production seems to mirror his presumed mood.
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times, you can
absolutely over-groom a prospect. The Yankees are doing that with Refsnyder. At
some point your development trends in the wrong direction and Refsnyder, who is
set to turn 25-years old this season, may be close. Or he may not be, I don’t
know the many personally and I’m far from an insider which my email has
continuously reminded me, but I do one thing… I’m worried.
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)