New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect James Kaprielian is reportedly heading to Arizona to take part in this year’s Arizona Fall League.
After missing most of the season with an elbow injury, Kaprielian has been listed on the Arizona Fall League transactions page and is listed on the Scottsdale Scorpions’ roster page on the AFL website via MLB.com. Â The Yankees have not officially announced the assignment.
RHP James Kaprielian added to @MLBazFallLeague Scottsdale roster. #Yankees' No. 9 prospect: https://t.co/OtO7aHjeax pic.twitter.com/f5Qg6NIBu0
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 24, 2016
“I’m pretty happy and excited with the progression we’ve made,” Kaprielian stated in an interview with Brendan Kuty last week.  “We’ve obviously taken our time with this and tried to deal with it smart.  The Yankees have done a really good job with handling me and the process and I feel good with where I’m at.”
Kaprielian will join fellow pitchers J.R. Feyereisen, Brody Koerner, and Dillon Tate.  Also on the roster representing the Yankees will be Greg Bird (shoulder surgery), Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres, and Tyler Wade.
He was the Yankees top draft pick in the 2015 (16th overall) MLB June Amateur Draft. Â In 2016 with High-A Tampa, the 22-year-old made just three starts. Â He went 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA, 0.611 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts in 18 innings of work before hitting the disabled list. Â He would not pitch again during the regular season or minor league playoffs.
On September 16, Kaprielian started facing live hitters again. Â He threw a two-inning simulated game on September 20 and the team plans to start him this week if everything goes as planned.
The 32-game Arizona Fall League schedule begins on Tuesday, October 11. Â It ends on November 17, culminating in a championship game set for Saturday, November 19.
