Rutherford schooled by idol Jeter
TAMPA — On May 13, 1997, the day Blake Rutherford was born, Derek Jeter had two hits in the Yankees’ 11-2 win over the Twins in Minnesota. Rutherford grew up idolizing Jeter and rooting for the Yankees despite living in Southern California.
Jeter went on to become one of the best shortstops of all time, while Rutherford went on to become a first-round pick of the Yankees in 2016 — just as his favorite player had 24 years earlier.
“It was definitely one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life, just knowing that I’d have the opportunity to wear pinstripes and play on the same team as some of the all-time greats,” said Rutherford, who is entering his first full season with the organization. “It means a lot being surrounded by so many great players and coaches. I think I’m going to grow and develop here for sure.”
The 19-year-old centerfield prospect has had some interactions with Jeter, though “The Captain” has done most of the talking.
“It’s surreal,” said Rutherford, who was born in Morristown, N.J. “The first couple times I didn’t really talk, and I still don’t just because I’m in the presence of one of the greatest players to ever play baseball. You don’t have to talk to learn from him. You can just listen to what he’s saying and take his advice, because he’s been through all the stages. He struggled when he first came here and then obviously turned it around and became an all-time great, so it’s been great to meet him. But I’ve definitely been nervous every time I’ve met him, that’s for sure.”
As the story goes, Rutherford had been on the Yankees’ radar for quite a long time. Before an eighth-grade travel game that also featured eventual 2016 No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak of the Phillies, Rutherford’s coach told him: “A Yankees scout is here, and he’s going to watch you play for a bit.”
“Obviously when you’re in eighth grade, you’re a long way away, so I didn’t think much of it,” Rutherford said. “But the Yankees were my favorite team, and I thought it was pretty cool that they were already there.”
Rutherford starred at Chaminade College Prep and was slated to attend UCLA before the Yankees gave him a $3.2 million signing bonus. He bought a BMW, but plans to be smart with his life-changing money.
In 2016, the lefty-hitting, righty-throwing Rutherford batted .351 with three homers in 33 games in rookie ball before his season was cut short due to a hamstring injury. He could open the 2017 campaign at Class A Charleston. According to Baseball America, Rutherford gained 13 pounds during the offseason to get up to 205.
“I’m definitely a player who hopefully can change the game in the field, with the bat and on the bases,” Rutherford said. “And if I’m struggling one of those facets one day, hopefully I can pick it up in the other two. But I’m obviously someone who goes out there and competes and gives it my all every day. I don’t want to take this opportunity for granted. I want to make the most of everything I’ve been given.”
Rutherford (No. 22 overall prospect, ESPN) knows that expectations are high, but he isn’t focused on them anymore. “Maybe there’s a long way to New York. Maybe there’s a short way. Only they know, so I’m just going to control what I can control,” Rutherford said. “I feel like when I first came over here I was definitely a little overwhelmed, but (VP of player development) Gary Denbo helped me a lot with just calming me down and telling me there’s no expectations within. They just want me to learn how to be a professional and how to be a Yankee. When he told me that, it made everything a lot easier. I was able to slow the game down a lot.”
Said Denbo: “There’s a lot to like. He’s very athletic. He’s playing in the center of the field, and we love those types of players. He’s got a projectable body. I think he’s going to get bigger and stronger. I think he’s got a chance to hit for power and I think he’s got a chance to hit for a high average as well. He runs well, he throws well. He brings all the tools that are necessary to be a good major-league player. And I think he’s got an excellent chance to help us at the major-league level in the future.”
ROSTER MOVES
On Monday, the Yankees reassigned Ruben Tejada, Wilkin Castillo and Donovan Solano to minor-league camp.
Tejada, the ex-Met, was never really in the shortstop injury replacement mix anyway, which has essentially come down to Ronald Torreyes, Pete Kozma and Tyler Wade.
Torreyes served as a valuable utility man for the Yankees last season. Kozma is the best defensive player of the bench. Wade has the most upside.
Kozma and Wade are not on the 40-man roster, so the Yankees would have to make a move to open up space for either. If Wade doesn’t make the team, he will start at Triple-A Scranton, as was expected until Didi Gregorius got hurt.
ROOKIE OF THE SPRING
Gleyber Torres received the James P. Dawson award, which goes to the best Yankees’ rookie during the spring. In 19 games, he hit .448 with nine extra-base hits. Torres, 20, will open the 2017 campaign as the shortstop for Double-A Trenton.