{"id":26871,"date":"2025-02-18T03:09:43","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T03:09:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=26871"},"modified":"2025-02-18T03:09:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T03:09:43","slug":"shocking-yankees-bring-in-intriguing-journeyman-left-handed-pitcher-for-spring-training-whats-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=26871","title":{"rendered":"“SHOCKING: Yankees Bring In Intriguing Journeyman Left-Handed Pitcher for Spring Training \u2013 What\u2019s Next?”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"MLB:
Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The\u00a0Yankees<\/a> made a small but intriguing move on Monday morning, inviting veteran left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny to spring training.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
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<\/div>\n
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Cameron Payne has never heard of a bad shot<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The 32-year-old has bounced around the league over the past few years, with stops in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Milwaukee. His role with the Yankees is still undefined, but he offers a different look as a low-strikeout, weak-contact pitcher\u2014a style the team could use to balance their bullpen.<\/p>\n

A Journeyman With a Unique Skill Set<\/h3>\n

Zastryzny<\/a>\u00a0doesn\u2019t fit the mold of a power pitcher who racks up strikeouts, but he finds ways to be effective. Last season, he threw just 7.2 innings with the Brewers, posting a 1.17 ERA despite striking out only 5.87 batters per nine. His ability to leave runners stranded (83.3% left-on-base rate) and limit hard contact gives him a chance to carve out a role. The question is whether he can refine his approach to become a more reliable bullpen option.<\/p>\n

In Triple-A, he posted a 3.03 ERA over 29.2 innings.<\/p>\n

\"MLB:
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pitching Coach Matt Blake\u2019s Next Project?<\/h3>\n

Zastryzny\u2019s arsenal includes a four-seam fastball, sweeper, cutter, and changeup. His fastball has been particularly effective, not allowing a hit last season on 48 pitches. In 2023, opponents hit just .227 against it with the same slugging percentage, showing some real potential. His sweeper also produced solid results, holding batters to a .233 average. However, his cutter and changeup have been liabilities in the past, something the Yankees\u2019 coaching staff may look to tweak.<\/p>\n

Can He Improve His Ground Ball Rate?<\/h3>\n

In some ways, Zastryzny is reminiscent of Tim Hill, another soft-contact specialist. The main difference is that Hill generates far more ground balls, while Zastryzny\u2019s 33.3% ground ball rate is below average. The Yankees have emphasized groundball pitchers to support their improved infield defense, so this could be an area of focus for Matt Blake. If they can get Zastryzny to induce more weak grounders, he might become a viable left-handed depth option.<\/p>\n

\n

A Spring Training Lottery Ticket<\/h3>\n

The Yankees aren\u2019t expecting Zastryzny to suddenly turn into a dominant bullpen piece, but he provides veteran depth and a different look from the left side. With injuries always a factor over a long season, having a backup plan is always critical.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images The\u00a0Yankees made a small but intriguing move on Monday morning, inviting veteran left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny to spring training. 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