Who is Shane Greene And Where Did He Come From?

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees called pitcher Shane Greene to the majors this week after Joe Girardi had to shuffle his bullpen from overuse less than two weeks into the season. It’s a name many Yankees’ fans may not know yet, but you will soon.

Greene is the Yankees’ 15^th round draft pick from the 2009 draft out of Daytona Beach Community College. Yankees’ scout Jeff Deardorff actually knew Greene since he was 9-years-old. Initially, the story would end there. Greene did not receive any interest coming out of high school, and moved onto community college. His freshman year, Greene injured his elbow and needed Tommy John surgery. After returning from the injury, his father started calling Deardorff. Greene was now hitting 92 on the radar gun. Considering Greene is also 6’4, he suddenly became a player for Deardorff to take a real look at.

Today Greene can hit 95 on the gun, has a 90-mile per hour cutter, and an 87 mile per hour changeup. His arm has become the real deal, and the Yankees signed him before anyone else could find out. Initially laughed at for drafting him in the 15^th round and giving him a $100,000 signing bonus, the Yankees are about to show the league just what a lucky steal he is.

In 2013, Greene was named the Yankees minor league pitcher of the year. The 25-year-old will have the ability to both come in relief and make the occasional spot start. Greene definitely has one of the more unique stories to the majors on the team, and his story should grow this season.