Monday, February 22, 2016

Meet a Prospect: Vinnie Pestano

The New York Yankees began the process of filling in the gaps in their minor league affiliates late this winter, specifically the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre team, and that included the signing of Vinnie Pestano. Pestano made his name with the Cleveland Indians and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and is just 31-years old. Pestano signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training with the New York Yankees this winter so now that he is Yankees spring camp we may as well meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: the Vinnie Pestano Edition.

Vinnie William Pestano was born on February 20, 1985 in California. Pestano attended Canyon High School in Anaheim, California where he played baseball catching the attention of the California State University Fullerton. While at Cal State Fullerton he caught the eye of the Cleveland Indians who drafted him in the 20th round of the 2006 MLB First Year Players Draft.

Pestano was called up by the Indians on September 23, 2010 and made his Major League debut the same day pitching in inning of scoreless relief. Pestano was dominant for two seasons in Cleveland, 2011 and 2012, before taking a step back a bit in 2013. In 2014 Pestano's struggles continued leading the Indians to trade him back home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Class-A pitcher Michael Clevinger.

YearTmWLERAGIPHRERHRBBSOERA+FIPWHIPH9HR9BB9SO9SO/W
2010CLE003.6055.04220581182.881.8007.20.09.014.41.60
2011CLE122.326762.0411616524841702.671.0486.00.73.512.23.50
2012CLE332.577070.0532020724761523.421.1006.80.93.19.83.17
2013CLE124.083735.137181662137945.031.6429.41.55.39.41.76
2014TOT012.892518.2188635261353.241.2328.71.42.412.55.20
2014CLE015.00139.013752113813.471.55613.02.01.013.013.00
2014LAA000.93129.251114134033.030.9314.70.93.712.13.25
2015LAA105.401911.215973813726.561.97111.62.36.210.01.63
Pestano spent just 12 games in the Angels bullpen in 2014 and those struggles continued in 2015. Pestano lasted just 19 games in 2015 before he was designated for assignment by the team on July 28, 2015. Pestano did not make it back to the Major Leagues that season and hit free agency this winter. The New York Yankees came calling hoping to find some lightning in a bottle while Pestano looks to harness the success that made him so great in 2011 and 2012 with Cleveland.

Pestano is a three-pitch pitcher. His fastball is clocked from 90-93 MPH on the radar gun while he also harnesses a 80 MPH breaking ball to keep batters off balanced. Some call his breaking pitch a curveball while others call it a slider, maybe we'll interview him one day and find out. His third pitch is an occasional two-seam fastball.

Will it happen? Who know! One thing is for sure though you have to play the game to win the game. The Yankees are playing the game with Vinnie Pestano. Will they win? Stay tuned.

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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)