2013 New York Yankees Recap: David Phelps

Jun 29, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher

(41) throws in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

David Phelps was the guy who has flown under the radar among New York Yankees pitching prospects. For all the talk about the killer B’s, the guy who was done the most among prospects has been Phelps. Phelps had to fight through injuries this year yet again, and those injuries prevent him from starting in a game after July 4. When he’s aggressive and throwing strikes he can be a very effective pitcher. He’s kind of the forgotten guy on the Yankees staff. That’s what the Yankees are going to be banking on in 2014. Let’s take a look at the 2013 season for Phelps.

2013 stats: 6-5 with a 4.98 ERA. 86.2 innings, 79 strikeouts, 88 hits 1.41 WHIP, -0.1 WAR

2013 Game Of The Year: His performance against the Toronto Blue Jays. On May 18, he went seven innings, gave up six hits, walked three, struck out eight and gave up one run in the Yankees 7-2 victory.

2014 Outlook: Phelps will most likely be a member of the rotation. He’s going to have some competition for a spot though. Right now you have CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova locked in. If Phelps can stay healthy, he can get one of the remaining spots. If Michael Pineda is actually healthy he will compete for a spot and so could guys like Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno. You can bet the Yankees will go outside the organization for an arm or two as well.  If for whatever reason he can’t cut it in the rotation, he could certainly move into a bullpen role where he has pitched before.