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Yankees News: Mitchell Can Win Starting Spot?

By Jason Evans

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The Yankees fifth starter competition is heating up. I’ve pounded the pavement all spring for Adam Warren to win it. Esmil Rogers, Scott Baker (who was excellent against the Mets on Sunday) and Chase Whitley are all involved in the competition. Don’t count out prospect Bryan Mitchell according to Yankees skipper Joe Girardi according to Wallace Matthews of ESPNNY.com

"“This is a young man with good stuff,” Girardi said. “It’s learning how to pound the strike zone with that good stuff and learning how to put guys away that is going to be a factor for him. I think this kid’s got a pretty high ceiling, I do. There’s stuff there.”"

"“We’re still going to look at him going forward, absolutely,” Girardi said."

In fairness to Mitchell, he hadn’t started in a non-simulated game since March 15. Mitchell got the ND yesterday in the Yankees loss to the Nationals.

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Mitchell so far this spring is 0-1 in three games (two starts) with an ERA of 7.36. He’s given up 12 hits and six runs in 7.1 innings, walked four and struck out six. That doesn’t exactly scream must make team and must start caliber, though it is in a very small sample size.

I think Mitchell can be a part of the Yankees moving forward, and I think that he will start a few games this season for the big club. But I don’t think that time should be now.

Mitchell got a cup of coffee last season in the majors last season, and did pretty well in his promotion to AAA, going 4-2 in nine starts with a 3.67 ERA. I don’t like the fact that he gave up more hits (45) than innings pitched (41.2).

To be honest, I’d rather see him out there than Whitley, because I think we know what Whitley is and we don’t yet with Mitchell.

The Yankees may have more exciting arms further down in the system, but Mitchell may be the guy you see. Just not yet.

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