DON'T COUNT KYLE HIGASHIOKA OUT!

Photo: Baseball America

In just a little over a month from now, pitchers and catchers will begin reporting to Tampa for our Yankees. The battle for a rotation spot will then start. At catcher, a battle for a starter and backup will occur. Most teams already know who their starter will be. For the most part they have an idea who their backup will be as well. But sometimes a kid comes out of nowhere and that makes a team's decision alittle harder.  That's team competition. The Yankees have a kid in that catching role that could stir things up this season.  in their mist. His name is Kyle Higashioka.

Photo: MiLB.com

On a personal level, I was lucky enough to meet Higashioka a couple years ago when he was playing in the Arizona Fall League. He's a good kid. He only played 24 games for High-A Tampa as, the year prior he underwent Tommy John surgery. 

Kyle has always been known as a defensive catcher with a weak bat. But that seems to have changed. NJ.com writes this of Cashman speaking of Higashioka:  

Photo: MiLB.com

"He's always had a great (pitch) framing reputation and now the bat's come on as we hoped it would..."

Photo: New York Daily News

Can this kid stir it up a bit in Spring Training? Well, in all likelihood, as the season opens, Austin Romine will be our backup catcher, but I believe Higashioka will at least open some eyes this spring.

(Feb. 26, 2016 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)    

Kyle Higashioka. Remember that name.  It's gonna be a fun session of 'Pitchers and Catchers' this year... I have a hunch.




--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer