New York Yankees News: Prospect Alex Robinett to Report For Service After the Season

At the end of each minor league season, most prospects take a few weeks off to regroup before beginning their off-season workouts. Some play in fall leagues, others play in winter leagues, but one Yankees prospect will be doing something completely different. Alex Robinett, a 22-year old reliever on the Staten Island Yankees who was drafted in 32nd round of this years draft out of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York will be joining the United States Armed Forces.

According to Jack Braziller of the New York Post, Robinett will report to Fort Still in Oklahoma to begin training as a second lieutenant before joining the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, North Carolina to begin a five year tour of duty once his minor league rookie season ends.

"“It’s part of the job I signed up for,” Robinett told the Post. “Just giving back to the country. I’m sure it’s dangerous, and I would probably sound like a fool if I said I didn’t see that, but we’re the best military in the world and we have all the equipment backing we need. I’m not anxious at all about the prospects of going [overseas].”"

The Yankees were completely aware of Robinett’s future obligations when they selected the West Point graduate in the 2015 Draft. He will need to serve a minimum of two years before the Yankees would be able to offer him a minor league deal.

"“I want to be part of something bigger than myself,” Robinett said. “I always told myself when I was younger, if baseball hadn’t worked out, I would join the military. Going to West Point, I could join the military and play baseball.”"

Interestingly enough, Robinett owns an impressive 1-0 record with a 1.35 ERA and 17 strikeouts through 13.1 innings pitched for the ‘Baby Bombers.’

His ultimate goal for this season is prove to the Yankees that he’s a worthy investment.

"“They have to know they can utilize me down the road. I think it’s important to show them you have a high ceiling for potential.”"

While Robinett is excited to serve our great country, the young right-hander certainly envisions a future for himself in the major leagues. When asked where he saw himself a few years down the line, Robinett replied: “Hopefully, pitching in the Bronx.”

Hopefully Alex Robinett can one day join the list of Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto and Bobby Murcer as great Yankees who also served in the United States Armed Forces.

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