Sisco in Pinstripes ???

The AAA Yankees have some decent prospects this season, but one of the more unknown names is the Relief Pitcher, Andy Sisco.  The 28 year old lefty reliever stands at 6’ 10’’, and is nearly three years removed from Tommy John surgery.   Sisco is now approaching  the ‘make or break’ phase of his career.   He received Tommy John surgery back in 2008, but did not return to pitch until 2010.  Sisco is at a crossroads now and needs to show that he can still pitch after the surgery.

He seems to be having no problems with showing off his arm this season, as he has a 0.00 ERA over the past 9 innings.  In AAA he has been used as a lefty specialist and called into situations where a lefty comes to the plate later in the game. Sisco has been effective and has only allowed 4 hits in those 9 innings.  He has also struck out 10 batters within those 9 innings.  Right now, opposing batters are hitting a mere .133 against him!

He was signed this offseason based upon his performance in the Mexican league where he went 6-5 as a starting pitcher.  In the 15 games he pitched, he had a 4.04 ERA.  Although he was previously a starter, he has been used solely in relief for the Scranton Yankees.  Sisco relies on four pitches: fastball, cutter, changeup and his slider.  In the Mexican league he was throwing his fastball about 95mph, but since the regular season began, he is topping out in the low 90’s.  This could be cause for concern, but since we are only in the first month of the season, it’s merely just another variable to keep an eye on.

Ever since Pedro Feliciano went on the DL for what looks to be a long term stint, the Yankees have been calling up pitchers from AAA.  Surprisingly enough, Sisco hasn’t been called up and instead the Yankees went with Buddy Carlyle, a righty.  With Pendleton and Carlyle getting the job done right now, it doesn’t seem like Sisco will get called up.  BUT, based upon Girardi’s managing style and how he plays the matchups/numbers, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sisco get called up mid-season.  Girardi only has one lefty in the bullpen now, and if Logan gets beat up, Sisco is the obvious option.  It never hurts to have two lefties in the bullpen either!

On the down side, Sisco can be wild.  Although he has become to be known as a strikeout pitcher, he walks too many batters.  This doesn’t translate well for the Major Leagues.  If he can fix the control, I guarantee we will see him in pinstripes this season.