Robertson on the Fast Track to the Bronx

From Kevin Kernan:

June 15, 2008 -- THERE are two young relievers on the fast track to Yankee Stadium, one you've heard about - Mark Melancon. The other has been quietly streaking up the ranks. His name is David Robertson.

Remember the name. When you see him pitch, you'll certainly remember the curve ball. That's his out pitch, a pitch that is a lost art to this baseball generation.

"His curve ball is amazing," says one National League scout, who recently saw Robertson pitch. "Combine that with the command of his fastball, and you really have something special."

Robertson, 23, recently was promoted from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Last June, I wrote about another young pitcher in the Yankees New York Yankees system who was better than Phil Hughes Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, even though those two pitchers were getting all the pub. His name was Joba Chamberlain.

Robertson is not in the same speed class as Chamberlain, but he could wind up inheriting his setup role in the bullpen. He's that talented.

"He might be the guy," GM Brian Cashman says of Robertson.

Heading into the weekend over 422/3 minor-league innings, Robertson registered 60 strikeouts and just 18 walks. He had not allowed a home run. His ERA was 1.69 and Triple-A hitters were batting .133 against him.

Those are numbers that make you take notice.

It's interesting to note how Robertson perfected his curve ball. Robertson is on the small side - "I'm 6-foot in spikes," he says with a laugh - but he is sneaky fast in the 91-92 range. Opposing hitters say it looks more like 97-98.

A big reason for that is the command of the fastball and the ability to locate it on either side of the plate coupled with the knee-buckling curve.

With J. B. Cox going on the DL there's no reason why Robertson will not be the next guy to get called up to the Bronx. He doesn't walk many batters and he's obviously got very good stuff.

Ross Ohlendorf is a candidate to go back to Scranton. Ohlendorf looks like he could be an effective Major League pitcher, but something is just not clicking with him right now, he'll have a couple good outings and then follow them with several bad ones.

To make room for Robertson the Yankees could also trade or cut Latroy Hawkins, who Girardi seems scared to put into games unless one team has a 5+ run lead, and I can't blame him for feeling that way.

I'd like to see Robertson get called up sooner rather than later, he's proven all he's needed to in the minors.