Austin excited for another chance to prove himself
TRENTON >> Tyler Austin’s career is at a crossroads, so the importance of the season that begins on Thursday night isn’t lost on the slugger.
He has another chance to prove himself in the Yankees’ organization.
“I’m excited about it,” Austin said Tuesday at Arm & Hammer Park, where he will at least begin the year with the Thunder. “It’s another opportunity for me to get to play baseball. I’m ready to come out here and try to help win a championship.”
A 13th-round pick of the Yankees in 2010, the 24-yearold Georgia native was once considered a rising star in the organization, but injuries and inconsistency have slowed his rise.
He began last season at Triple-A Scranton/WilkesBarre, but found himself in and out of the lineup, eventually ending up demoted to Trenton for the final 21 games. Then he was designated for assignment upon the conclusion of the Double-A season and went unclaimed on waivers, returning to the Yankees.
“I’m just going to have fun,” Austin said. “That’s the thing, if you have fun, you perform. I’m going to go out there and have as much fun as I possibly can.”
That approach may be just what he needs.
“It’s tough when you struggle,” he said. “You can get wrapped up when you struggle or have an injury and lose that. Instead of going out there and staying relaxed and playing the game you know how to play. That’s the thing for me, no matter what the situation is this year, I’m going to take it out there and have a good time doing it.”
First-year manager Bobby Mitchell has been impressed with Austin’s attitude, especially since he spent most of spring training with the Triple-A team.
“I was like, ‘I know you might be a little disappointed,’ but he was like, ‘Hey, let’s go win another championship,’” Mitchell said. “That shows a lot about the character of guys like that. You don’t see it all the time. Some guys come down ... and they’re all mad, but I didn’t see that when he came down.”
Austin said he’ll play first base as well as right and left field. At 6-1, 220-pounds, he’ll also be expected to provide power in the middle of the order.
Austin has 44 career minor league home runs, including 17 during the 2012 season.
He’s also familiar with the Eastern League and the Thunder, having spent part of three seasons here. In 2013, he played 83 times for the Thunder, hitting .257 with six homers and 40 RBIs.
Austin batted .240 last season in 94 games between Scranton and Trenton. His .343 slugging percentage was well below his career average of .447.
“Wherever they need me, I’m going to go out there and play,” Austin said. “If I can be in the lineup everyday, I’ll play where they need me to play.” ERA in 19 starts. He earned a promotion to Triple-A for his final seven starts where he went 3-2 with a 4.62 ERA.
“It’s an honor,” Lail said. “Getting the opening-day ball is something I’ve been working for all spring. I’m excited to be back and get that chance to get it going.”
Mitchell said Cale Coshow, Ronald Herrera, Dietrich Enns and Jordan Montgomery will all start out in the rotation.
“It’s friendly competition,” Coshow said. “One guy goes six innings, nine (strikeouts), well, I want to try and go seven innings, 10 (strikeouts). I’m always one of the biggest fans of who’s pitching that day. I want to see them succeed because the ultimate goal is to get to the major leagues and I want to see every one of our position players an pitchers in the big leagues at some point.”
Both Lail and Coshow pitched here last season, while the other three are new to the club.
“I thought I had a really good year last year and I’m just hoping to re-do it,” Lail said. “Hopefully, with that opening day, I get the chance to help the team get the win and we can start the year off right.”