Yankees’ MiLB News: Thunder’s Bleich Promoted to SWB

Recently promoted pitcher Jeremy Bleich. Mandatory Credit: MiLB.com

The carousel of Yankees’ minor league pitchers continues between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and the Trenton Thunder. Zach Nuding, who started the season on fire for the Thunder, had a rough go at it at the Triple-A level. Going 2-4 with a 6.25 ERA, over his eight starts with the RailRiders, earned him a bus ride back to Trenton. In his place the RailRiders have called up Jeremy Bleich.

Despite his record showing otherwise, Bleich was having a great season with the Thunder. Sitting at 4-5 with a 3.51 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 12 starts he seemed primed to take the next step. When the RailRiders saw enough of Nuding, Bleich got the chance.

The 26-year-old lefty was drafted 44th overall in the first round of the MLB June Amateur Draft out of Stanford. He has bided his time bouncing around from Staten Island, Tampa, and Trenton the past six seasons as both a starter and a reliever. This season, he claimed the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Award after hurling seven shutout innings and striking out ten Flying Squirrels at the end of May. He gets his first start of his young career above Double-A tonight against the Columbus Clippers.

“He’s getting older and it’s time to see what he can do when given the opportunity,” pitching coach Tommy Phelps told the Trentonian. “He’s throwing the ball well. He’s got confidence, so lets get him up there and hopefully he’ll keep progressing.”

The RailRiders and Yankees certainly hope Bleich shows that he is ready. With all the pitching woes the boys in the Bronx have endured this season, all arms must be ready to go. Hopefully, Bleich is.