Tommy Kahnle

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #29 prospect in 2013
  A native of upstate New York, Kahnle helped Lynn (Fla.) win the 2009 NCAA Division II national championship. In 2012, he earned a late promotion to Double-A and pitched in the Eastern League playoffs, after a shoulder strain pushed his debut back to May. He pumps his fastball into the high 90s, touching 98 mph, and threw more strikes with it last year. Kahnle has effort in his delivery and favors power over precision, attacking with the fastball and using his changeup and improved slider as chase pitches. His changeup has splitter action at its best and helps him neutralize lefthanders, who hit .161 against him in 2012. As the season progressed, Kahnle improved at locating his fastball on the inner half. His control got better as well, as he issued 12 walks in May and 12 more for the rest of the season. Kahnle isn't a great athlete and has spent time on the disabled list in each of his two full pro seasons. He projects as a set-up man and will return to Double-A to begin 2013.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #28 prospect in 2011
  Kahnle entered 2010 season as the draft's top NCAA Division II prospect. While Southern Arkansas' Hayden Simpson passed him and went in the first round to the Cubs, Kahnle's draft stock held steady despite a 2-7, 5.06 season at Lynn (Fla.). He signed for $150,000 as a fifth-round pick. Kahnle helped pitch Lynn to a 2009 national title, earning MVP honors at the D-II College World Series after saving the championship game and pitching a total of 12 scoreless innings. The Yankees saw him throw well as a reliever in the Cape Cod League that summer and as a starter at Lynn last spring. Working out of the rotation, Kahnle showed a 93-95 mph fastball but lacked the feel for pitching or command needed to get through the order more than twice. He shifted to the bullpen full-time as a pro and pushed his fastball up to 96-98. His slider has its moments, and New York will let him keep it rather than trying to switch him to a curveball. He had a decent changeup as a starter but won't need it nearly as much as a reliever. Kahnle will shoot through the minors if he throws strikes, something that would be easier if he keeps his stocky body in shape. He could open his first full pro season in high Class A.