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Wednesday, 07 July 2010 12:25 |
By Geri Falzon
The professional career of pitcher David Phelps has gotten off to a quick and productive start as he begins to make a name for himself within the New York Yankees organization.
In June of 2008, Phelps was selected in the 14th round of the first-year player draft by the New York Yankees and that’s when he received an unexpected call from his dad.
“I remember I was driving to Cape Cod when the phone rang and it was my dad. He said to me ‘should I go buy a Yankees hat’ and I said what are you talking about?” “He then told me that the Yankees had drafted me in the 14th round and I was like sweet.”
Phelps was quite ecstatic being selected by the organization that owns 27 world championships.
“I was very excited being drafted by the Yankees,” said Phelps. “From day one it’s been first-class. It’s such a great organization to be in. From talking with some of my buddies [in other organizations], we obviously get treated the best.”
Being a Missouri native, the 23 year-old grew up rooting for his hometown Cardinals.
“Growing up in St. Louis I was definitely a die-hard Cardinals fan, said Phelps. I’ve been blessed with having great baseball in the city, whether it was Whitey [Herzog], Joe Torre and now Tony LaRussa at the helm, we’ve had great teams throughout the years and watching baseball was a lot of fun,” remarked Phelps.
But Phelps admits he allegiance quickly changed the day he got the call.
“When you get drafted by a team that has probably the most history of any team in professional baseball, it’s definitely an honor. I’ve always respected how much they win and now I get to be a part of that. Now I am a die-hard Yankees fan,” said Phelps.
Since becoming part of the Yankees’ family, Phelps believes the experiences of meeting and chatting with current Bronx Bombers has been quite rewarding.
“Having the opportunity to be around the guys during spring training, you get to know them and begin to root for them,” said Phelps. He added, “Over the last couple of years, I have been able to chat with [Jorge] Posada, Joba [Chamberlain], [Nick] Swisher and [Philip] Hughes and pick their brains a little.”
Phelps, the product of the University of Notre Dame, attributes his early success in college to good teaching and a simple coaching philosophy. In recent years, the Fighting Irish baseball program has produced quality pitchers the likes of Brad Lidge, Aaron Heilman and Jeff Samardzija.
“Their philosophy is very similar to the Yankees. Go for strike one and then keep the ball in play,” explained the right-hander.
Following a successful collegiate career in South Bend, Phelps was drafted and began his professional career in 2008, debuting for the Class A Staten Island Yankees of the NY-Penn League. Phelps compiled a record of 8-2, striking out 52 batters in 72.2 innings in 15 minor league starts.
For Phelps, the transition from college to the professional ranks has been be a relatively smooth one, however he realizes the competition will only get tougher over time.
“The line-ups in pro ball are definitely more consistent. As you move up each level they get even more consistent where as in college, in certain line-ups you have to worry about the two through five hitters,” said Phelps. “When you get to pro ball, the leadoff hitter down through the ninth hitter all have a chance of hurting you so you have to be sharp every single pitch of the game,” he explained.
In 2009, Phelps pitched for the Charleston RiverDogs and Tampa Yankees, both of which are Class A affiliations within the Yankees organization. In 26 combined starts, the right-hander finished with a 13-4 record whiffing 122 batters over a span of 151 innings pitched.
The two-time minor league All-Star has enjoyed success throughout the early stages of the 2010 season, however he believes his game still has room for improvement.
“Where I have struggled so far is staying out of deep counts. I have been fortunate that I’ve been getting to 3-2, 3-1 then getting ground balls and the defense is making plays behind me, but it’s one of those things where luck’s going to run out,’ said Phelps
Phelps went on to explain, “I have had games were I walked people and it hurt me. It’s one of those things that I try to manage as much as I can, getting the ball in play in four or less pitches. When I don’t do that, my pitch count gets high and I’m trying to save the bullpen arms as much as I can. The quicker I am out of a game the more stress it is on them [the bullpen].”
Phelps, who possesses a 91 mph fastball, has been a reliable starter for the Double-A Trenton Thunder this season and has a bright future ahead of him. For this well grounded pitcher, Phelps is aware he needs to stay on course, throw strikes and be more consistent if he is to one day wear the Yankee pinstripes.
“I always take things day-by-day and I am just trying to come out and do as much as I can today to make myself better for tomorrow,” said Phelps.
Phelps’ own philosophy seems to have the prospect moving in the right direction. His 6-0 record and 2.04 ERA earned him Eastern League All-Star honors as well as a recent promotion to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, moving him one step closer to his major league dream.
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