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New York Yankees Prospect Profile: Number 25 James Pazos

ByMartin Stezano|
Sep 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees relief pitcher James Pazos (67) throws a pitch during the fourth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees relief pitcher James Pazos (67) throws a pitch during the fourth inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

As we continue our Yanks Go Yard Prospect Profile series, we move down the pipeline to a familiar face: LHP James Pazos.

Scouting grades (courtesy of MLB Pipeline): Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

The Yankees took James Pazos in the 12th round of 2012 draft out of the University of San Diego, and signed him for $100,000. They sent him to A- ball in Staten Island, and Pazos immediately started his rise up the organization ladder as a left-handed reliever. Although he was never really hyped as a top prospect (few relievers are), he pitched well at every stop and kept on climbing.

He made a good impression in spring training last year and Hal Steinbrenner even included him on his list of “untouchables” after the July trade deadline. When rosters expanded in September, Pazos was one of the first guys the Yankees called up to fill out the roster. Girardi took a liking to the 24-year old, using him often against lefties. In all, Pazos pitched in 11 games, striking out 3 and walking 3 in 5 innings of work without allowing any earned runs. Pazos even made the one-game Wild Card playoff roster, although he didn’t get into the game.

According to Brooks Baseball, Pazos finds most of his success when he primarily uses his fastball, which averages 94.4 mph and touched 97.7 mph last season. His primary out pitch is a low 80s slider, although he did throw a few sinkers and changeups at the big league level last September. For the most part, he’s going to be a fastball/slider guy, which is just fine for a middle reliever.

Pazos came into camp this season with a chance at making the opening day roster as one of Girardi’s left-handed bullpen options. Aroldis Chapman‘s suspension certainly opens the door for a less established to travel to New York when camp breaks, and Pazos could very well be that guy. At the very least, I fully expect him to be “on the shuttle” this season. It might not be in April, but we’ll see Pazos multiple times throughout the season.

Next: New York Yankees Prospect Profile: Number 26 Bryan Mitchell

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