Injury Update on Top Pitching Prospect James Kaprielian

Yankees top pitching prospect James Kaprielian is expected to miss the remainder of the 2016 campaign according to Tampa Yankees manager Patrick Osburn.

Updates on New York Yankees 2015 first round pick James Kaprielian have been few and far between this season. The 22-year-old righthander has been out since April 21st after making just three starts for the High-A Tampa Yankees.

Originally placed on the minor league disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow, there was no news of Kaprielian for several weeks until Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner told reporters at the annual Owners’ Meetings in Manhattan that the club’s top pitching prospect was going to begin a throwing program and would return to the mound in late June.

That plan hit a snag, as Kaprielian reportedly still felt discomfort in his elbow during the rehab process, and team doctor Christopher Amad diagnosed him with a flexor tendon strain. The injury does not require surgery, but the news put the young starter’s season in jeopardy. 

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A month later, and Kaprielian is making progress, however minimal, in his rehabilitation. Tampa Yankees manager Patrick Osburn recently told Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media,

“He’s playing catch. He’s not off a mound. I talked to him the other day. He said he’s doing all right. He’s in his throwing program. As far as his time table and when he’s gonna be back on the mound, I don’t know.”

Osburn wouldn’t rule out a 2016 return, but didn’t sound too hopeful, noting that, “this year is probably going to be a wash.”

The 16th overall pick of the 2015 draft apparently made quite the impression in his three starts. “He was the best pitcher I’ve seen in this league all year, and it’s not even really close,” Osburn raved to Miller. He went on to say:

“Kaprielian’s raw stuff is premium. You’re talking about a fastball that goes up to 96-97 with quality command. He’s got two out pitches, his slider and his changeup, and his curveball at times even shows promises of a plus pitch.”

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Losing Kaprielian for an entire season after he got off to such a promising start is a huge blow for the Yankees. It’s not a stretch to imagine the polished college arm even making his debut in the next month or two had the injury not set him back.

Still, it’s probably best at this point that New York just shuts Kap down for the year and bring him back in 2017 at full strength.