David Robertson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Yankees #15 prospect in 2009
  Robertson and his older brother Connor, traded this offseason to the Mets, both have reached the major leagues. David reached New York in just his second pro season after signing following a strong summer in the Cape Cod League in 2006. The Yankees have pushed him and he has responded at every turn, vaulting past higher-drafted relievers such as J. Brent Cox and Mark Melancon. Robertson began 2008 in Double-A and finished it in New York, where he wore down in the second half and surrendered his first homer as a pro July 28, a grand slam by Adam Jones. He gets good sink on his 90-92 mph fastball despite his smallish frame and pitches aggressively with his heater. That sets up his power curveball, a plus pitch he has used to help rack up 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings as a pro. He's working on a changeup to combat lefthanders. Robertson nibbled a bit in the majors and elevated his fastball when he tried to muscle up and do too much. He should be able to hold onto his spot in New York's bullpen this season.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #24 prospect in 2008
  The Yankees have a plethora of middle-relief prospects coming through the system. Robertson is similar to J. Brent Cox, who was close to the big leagues before 2007 Tommy John surgery caused him to miss the season, and Robertson ranks higher here because he has a better fastball and two above-average breaking balls. Robertson, whose older brother Connor reached the majors with the Athletics last year, was a closer at Alabama and signed as a draft-eligible sophomore after starring in the Cape Cod League in 2006. New York drafted him in the 17th round that June, liked what it saw on the Cape and gave him a $200,000 bonus. In his pro debut last year. Robertson dazzled with a curveball that he didn't throw in college. It's a plus downer with bite, angle and depth, and he can throw it for strikes or bury it. His slider already was a plus pitch, and his 90-92 mph fastball has natural cut action on it. Despite his small frame, he makes his mistakes down in the strike zone and has yet to give up a homer in pro ball. Robertson proved durable in his first pro season and could challenge for a big league role after finishing last year in Double-A. His size seems to be the only reason scouts don't project him as a future closer.