Robert Refsnyder Could Be Player Of The Future And The Future May Be Now

Robert Refsnyder-Mandatory Credit: Robert Pimpsner/PinstripedProspects.com

Yankees’ prospect Rob Refsnyder has been making quite a stir in the minors this season. He has possibly become the closest Yankees’ prospect to the big leagues. About a week ago, Yankees GM Brian Cashman sent word down to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to have Refsnyder play the outfield and he has been hard at work learning the position ever since.

Hard work is just a part of Refsnyder, he spends so much time in the batting cages that his teammates often laugh at him, but Refsnyder says that’s just how he gets better, by spending hours in the cage. He also has been playing some outfield at the Yankees’ request, and is adjusting well to the change. If Refsnyder did get called up, he would most likely need to play some outfield although he is a second baseman by trade.

Refsnyder is getting looks in the outfield, but he could be the Yankees’ second baseman of the future. His bat is what is getting him immediate looks, but his play at second base is what will make him stick.  Scouts have said that Refsnyder is a natural at second, and is definitely capable of playing second in the big leagues.

This season, he has found a big boost in power, blasting 12 homers between Double-A and Triple-A this season. Refsnyder says he improved on this by watching Alex Rodriguez take batting practice in 2013 while A-Rod was in Tampa, getting ready to return to the majors, and that inspired him to shorten up his swing and take a more direct route to the ball. Watching A-Rod every day helped him realize he was working under the ball instead of through it.

In 2014, Refsnyder is hitting .330 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI. Look for him to be on the major league squad soon, as a call up could be looming in the next few weeks.