Dustin Ackley has been a target for the New York Yankees and
Brian Cashman for more than a few trading deadlines now and much like with most
targets of Cashman, he eventually gets his man. Cashman has made it a habit of
getting his man just a few seasons too late, Carlos Beltran and Ackley come to
mind immediately, but he got his man nonetheless. New York sent outfielder
Ramon Flores and right-handed starting pitcher Jose Ramirez to Seattle in
exchange for Ackley who has one more season of arbitration eligibility after
the 2015 season. Where will Ackley play, who will he replace and how will he
fit in with the team? That’s anybody’s guess but let’s meet him anyway. The
Man, the Myth, the Brian Cashman led Legend, Mr. Dustin Ackley.
Dustin Michael Ackley was born on February 26, 1988 to John
and Joy Ackley in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where he spent his High School
and College days playing baseball.
Ackley attended South Stokes High School in Walnut Cove, North Carolina
for his first three seasons playing baseball for the school’s team before
transferring to North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem. Ackley helped South
Stokes win North Carolina 1A state titles in 2003 and 2004 before transferring
where he pitched and played third base there as a senior in Winston. Ackley’s
High School playing career and the fact that he was a straight A honor roll
student garnered enough attention for him to attend the University of North
Carolina on a full baseball scholarship.
Ackley wasted no time etching his name in the record books
as a Tarheel as he set UNC’s single-season record for hits in a season, 119, at
bats in a season, 296 and games played, 73, as a rookie and teammate of the
Yankees RHP Adam Warren. Ackley led the team to the 2007 College World Series fial
round before losing to the Oregon State Beavers. Ackley and UNC were back in
the College World Series in 2009 with Ackley named an All-American after
hitting over .400 for the second straight season and setting another
school-record for runs scored in a single season with 82. Ackley slacked off a
bit in his junior season hitting just .399 although he did hit 20 home runs for
the club leading to be named the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Player of
the Year. Ackley once again participated in the College World Series in 2009
which prepared him for everything that was about to come in his career,
including the MLB First Year Players Draft of 2009.
The Seattle Mariners came calling with the second overall
pick in the 2009 Draft handing him a five-year deal worth $7.5 million with a
$6 million signing bonus with another $2.5 million possibly based on how
quickly he made it to the major leagues. Ackley immediately won the Arizona
Fall League MVP Award in his first season and just like that his Mariners career
was underway. Ackley wasn’t long for the minors though as in June of 2011 he
was promoted to the big leagues to face the Phillies starter Roy Oswalt where
he collected his first hit, a single. Ackley played second base for Seattle
until the Mariners brought former Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano in via
free agency to man the position and has basically been an everyday outfielder
since the beginning of the 2014 season. Ackley played third base, first base,
pitcher and shortstop as a member of the UNC Tarheels and adjusted to the
constant position moving well while in Seattle.
Ackley was acquired before the deadline by the Yankees and
will bring his .215 average at the time of the trade with six home runs and 19
RBI to the Bronx. How he will react under the bright lights, exactly where he
will play and what role he will fill remains to be seen but I am somewhat
intrigued to watch it all play out. Welcome to the family Dustin, let’s go get
a ring.
