Prospect of the Day: Hector Noesi, RHP, New York Yankees

Prospect of the Day: Hector Noesi

Hector Noesi, RHP, New York Yankees
    The Yankees promoted Hector Noesi from Triple-A Scranton to the majors last Friday. He's expected to fill a bullpen spot as a long reliever who can start if needed. What sort of future does Noesi have in New York?

Noesi was signed by the Yankees as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2004. His career was slowed by Tommy John surgery, and he didn't fully emerge as a prospect until 2009 when he posted a 2.92 ERA with a 118/15 K/BB in 117 innings in A-ball. Last year he went 14-7, 3.20 with a 153/28 K/BB in 160 innings at three levels. He had a 3.92 ERA in four Triple-A starts before his promotion, with a 11/9 K/BB in 21 innings. He is 24 years old.
    Noesi's fastball can hit 95-96 MPH but is more regularly in the 89-93 range. His best pitch is an excellent changeup. His slider and curveball are no more than adequate, but the fastball/changeup combination is his bread-and-butter. He throws strikes and has been durable since recovering from the elbow injury.
    He projects as a fourth or fifth starter, though in the short run he's most likely to be used as a reliever who can soak up spare innings. If he's impressive in his trial, he could have a chance at a rotation spot next year, or be used as a tempting morsel for other teams.