Yankees Prospect: Dellin Betances

Bats: Right, Throws: Right Height: 6' 8", Weight: 255 lb.

Born: March 23, 1988 in New York, New York, US (Age 23)

Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 8th round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft.

Next Spring, Yankees fans can expect Dellin to be given every opportunity to compete for a spot in the Yankees’ rotation for the 2012 season. Despite having surgery earlier in his career, he has the stuff and the minor league experience of more than enough innings to warrant a legitimate shot at being a starter for the best team in the “The Show” next season.

His stuff is very impressive. He has a live fastball that’s consistently in the mid 90s with plenty of movement (he’s averaging 9+ strikeouts per 9 innings). As a side note due to his height, when he gets older and loses some velocity, he’ll still have movement on his fastball. Additionally, his curve is a plus curve and can drop off the table when he’s on and has had flashes of a plus change. At his age and experience, the fact that he already has an average change is very encouraging.

Despite needing to upgrade his change and improve his control, as he’s averaging around 4 walks per 9 innings, he has fairly sound mechanics. I really like the way he emphasizes tucking in his glove and elbow during the release point of his delivery. From what looks like a more deliberate and intentional action in comparison to other pitchers, he’s reducing rotary inertia and substantially increasing hip rotation in his delivery by doing this. Someone has taught him well. More importantly, I’m taking this as a sign that Dellin is not only a pitcher with superb talent, but he’s also a receptive learner. With that thought in mind, I’m going to go out on a limb and make the bold prediction that in the future Larry Rothschild, New York Yankees pitching coach, is going to love working this guy.