Will The Yankees Give Ronnier Mustelier A Look?

With all this talk of the problems that the Yankees currently face, it is baffling at how much Ronnier Mustelier gets overlooked.

Ronnier Mustelier will hopefully get a look during Spring Training (Image: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports)

Mustelier doesn’t fit the typical mold of a “prospect.” This right-handed slugger is 28 years old, and has spent two years in the Yankees’ farm system. However, in those two years, Mustelier has proven he deserves to be playing with the big league club. In the 2012 season, he saw time with both the Trenton Thunder and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (now RailRiders). In 25 games with Trenton last year, Mustelier was able to compile a .353 batting average along with five homers and 20 RBIs. When he was promoted to Triple-A, he showed no signs of slowing down. With Scranton, he played in 89 games, hitting .303 with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs.

Despite his great hitting, it’s not what will make Mustelier valuable to the Yankees — he is valuable because of his versatility. He has a lot of experience playing different positions. In the 2012 season alone, he saw time at all three outfield spots, as well as third and second base. It goes without saying that he’s is the type of player that Joe Girardi would love to use as a platoon.

According to reports, Mustelier isn’t the greatest player in the system, but his tools make him a solid player for any team. Now that the Yankees have signed players like Russ Canzler and Matt Diaz as potential help, Mustelier should not be looked at as the Yankees’ only option.

These CAIRO projections from “Replacement Level Yankees Weblog” have a possible line for Mustelier of .268/.321/.420 if he were to play a season with the Bombers. Those are not the best numbers, but if Mustelier were to be used as a platoon player, they would be good enough to get him by.

When Spring Training comes around, the Yankees will probably invite and give him a good look. If he can outplay Canzler and Diaz, then there is a very good chance that he will make the Opening Day roster. It should be noted that Mustelier is currently not on the 40-man roster, so a spot would need to be made if that were to happen.

Get excited Yankees fans, the first Spring Training game is only 33 days away.