MAKING THE MOST OF AN OPPORTUNITY

(In Photo: Preston Claiborne)
Preston Claiborne’s experience in the Yankees minor league system wasn’t eye-popping.   In four seasons the 25 year-old had a 10 – 12 record, 3.00 ERA and a pedestrian 1.29 WHIP in a little over 200 innings pitched.  Since 2010 he has pitched at every level of the organization, including 30 innings last season at Scranton-Wilkes Barre where he held a 4.05 ERA.  Again, nothing earth-shattering jumps out at you. But then opportunity knocked.

On May 2^nd the Yankees placed reliever Joba Chamberlain on the DL with an oblique strain.  Surprisingly, rather than call up future star Mark Montgomery the team chose to bring Claiborne to the big league club to fill Chamberlain’s spot.

For over 80 years Major League Baseball has used the term “Wally Pipped” to describe players who through injury lost their starting jobs to men called in to fill their roles.   It originated with the Yankees when, in 1925, starting first baseman Wally Pipp sat out a game with a head ache.  A young backup by the name of Lou Gehrig stepped in to play the position that day.  The rest, shall we say, is history.

Has Joba been “Wally Pipped”?

In three appearances to date Claiborne has not yielded a run, has not walked a batter, and has given up just three hits (all in one game at Colorado).  Basically, he has looked dominant in featuring a low-to-mid 90’s fastball, slider and change-up. 

(In Photo: Preston Claiborne)

Manager Joe Girardi has praised what Claiborne has done saying:

“He's been in some tough situations.  It's not like we put him in when we're down six runs to just go out and get some work. He's done a really good job. And sometimes pitchers can be intimidated pitching here [at Coors Field], too. You hear a lot of things -- the breaking balls don't break the same. But I've been really impressed with what he's doing.”

When Joba Chamberlain comes back, it is anyone’s guess what the team will do if Claiborne continues to impress. 

Joba began this season in the same erratic manner that fans have become accustomed to.  In his first three appearances he walked six batters and gave up four hits and four runs – giving him a 13.50 ERA.  Since his third appearance he has gone 6 2/3 innings without allowing a run in his last seven games.

Now he’s back on the DL.

Which Chamberlain we get when he returns has yet to be determined, and if the Yankees have become tired of holding their breath when he takes the mound, perhaps Claiborne will be a more appealing seventh inning option.

Regardless of what the Yankees decide to do, Preston Claiborne was given an opportunity that he has seized and it looks like he intends to hold onto it.

   
--Steve Skinner, BYB Guest Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1

 

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