Sweeny: Yankees' Super Prospect Kaprielian Dominating A-Ball Hitters
By Sweeny Murti
» More Columns
The Yankees believe James Kaprielian, their first-round draft pick last June, could be a quick mover in their farm system. The teams he is facing along the way want that to be the case.
"Hopefully he gets out of this league real soon," Michael Johns, manager of the Charlotte Stone Crabs, told me after Kaprielian made his second straight dominant start in the Class A Florida State League.
The 22-year-old right-hander out of UCLA, pitching for the Tampa Yankees, actually lost the game, 3-1, because two errors led to three unearned runs. But the rest of his line? Brilliance. He allowed one hit, walked two and struck out four over seven innings. Kaprielian's fastball was 94-96 mph until the seventh -- when it jumped to 97 mph.
Kaprielian showed a good slider at times, but generally had little feel for his off-speed pitches, according to Johns, and still was able to dominate with mostly fastballs.
"His stuff is top of the charts," Johns said. "I hate to make comparisons at this stage because it's not fair, but I saw (Noah) Syndergaard in the Appy League do the same thing."
The Mets' star right-hander was 18 when he was pitching for Toronto's Appalachian League affiliate in Bluefield, West Virginia, in 2011.
"(Kaprielian) can pitch with his fastball even without his secondary pitches because he can work (the fastball) North-South and East-West," Johns said. "He's the real deal."
In his first start for the Tampa Yankees Kaprielian struck out nine over five innings of three-hit, one-run ball on only 60 pitches.
Let's be clear -- this is still a long way from the majors. Kaprielian certainly needs to improve and be more consistent with his off-speed pitches (curveball, slider, and changeup) before making the jump to the majors. But, realistically, it's possible for him to be moved up quickly along the way. By comparison, Luis Severino, who is only 10 days older than Kaprielian but made his professional debut in 2012, began the 2014 season in A-ball and was in the majors by August 2015, and that was a very fast ascension.
The following is what Yankees VP of player development Gary Denbo told me about Kaprielian at the start of spring training:
"Experience-wise, he has a ways to go. I mean, he's got a half-season of professional baseball under his belt," Denbo said. "It's easy to look at James and dream that he can move quickly through the organization because he has the tools to do so. Mentally, he's tough. He's been through some adversity in his life and he's overcome that and came out with just a great attitude and determination to work even harder."
For more on Kaprielian's personal story check out this fine piece from Mark Feinsand of The Daily News from spring training.
The Yankees hope there isn't a need to push Kaprielian faster than necessary. But GM Brian Cashman always says that "the prospect will tell you when he's ready," meaning that the performance will show whether or not he's ready for the next level.
If Kaprielian can continue this early-season ride Johns may get his wish, and Kaprielian will be torturing hitters and managers in a higher league very soon.
Follow Sweeny on Twitter at @YankeesWFAN
