When Will Jacob Lindgren Reach The Majors?
May 25, 2013; Hoover, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs pitcher Jacob Lindgren (21) pitches against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second inning of the SEC baseball tournament at the Hoover Met. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The Yankees announced late Saturday that they have agreed to terms with their top pick [Pitcher Jacob Lindgren. Lindgren is a hard throwing reliever out of Mississippi State he ranked first among all relievers with 100 strikeouts in 2014 and also led the nation with 16.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Experts say that Lindgren could be the first member of this years draft class to make it to the big leagues.
“I think its pretty cool that people think that, but making it to the big leagues is not easy, Lindgren said. ” its going to take hard work. I have to keep developing my game and getting better one day at a time. If the Yankees thinks it’s my time to go up, I’m ready for it”
Lindgren has been compared to former Yankees pitcher and current tigers reliever Phil Coke. Lindgren has a smooth easy delivery, his out pitch is a devastating slider that ranges from 82-84 mph and his fastball has jumped up to 95 mph from 91 since being switched from a starter to a reliever last year.
After watching Lindgren pitch this year, I think Lindgren will be ready to pitch by the beginning of next year. He’s got a lot of confidence on the hill, very good stuff and he’s even got the Johnny Cueto spin delivery going. At the latest he will be ready to be a big leaguer by 2016.
Lindgren signed for a bonus 1.1 million which is above the usual slot bonus of 1,018,700. He is expected to begin his career at class A Charleston or short season class A Staten Island. Lindgren is 21 years old.
So far the Yankees have also agreed to terms with right-hander Austin Decarr (third round), right- hander Jordan Foley (fifth round) right- hander Jonathan Holder (sixth round) left-hander Derek Callahan (16th round), right-hander Corey Holmes (20th round), and right-hander Lee Cases (28th round)