While the last two and one-half seasons have produced remarkable production from the Yankees first year players, Justus Sheffield and other rookies might still make a big impact this September.
Sheffield is currently making the transition from starter to reliever at Triple-A Scranton in the hopes the Yankees can add another hard throwing left-hander to the stretch drive. The plan is for Sheffield to remain a starter next year but with 112.2 innings currently in the books (an increase of 15% over last year), the bullpen is a good way to limit the 22-year old’s innings without shutting him down completely.