Yankees lose "steal" of 06 draft, Norton

[jacksonianmarch]

Tim Norton, whom many considered to be one of the biggest "steals" of the 06 draft, is staring at the end of his short career. Norton, drafted in the 7th round after a much celebrated career at UConn, signed right away, and threw 72IP in Staten Island and dominated.

3-3 2.60ERA 72.2IP 83K 14BB 60H

He shot up the yankee depth charts and was assigned to long season to start the yr. Old for a prospect, 24, he was considered to be a future pen arm and with his low to mid 90s heat and his plus splitter, he had "closer" potential. He started the yr strong (32K in 28IP at Charleston), he noticed discomfort in his pitching shoulder. An MRI showed serious damage and according to reports coming out of yankee land, he had a rotator cuff repair. With his advanced age at a lower level and his now lengthy rehab from a shoulder injury, that once promising pen arm is now looking like another pitcher with promise not fulfilled.

The Yankee injury bug has been hitting hard this yr in the minors, but thankfully, Norton is the only player with a long term repercussion. Humberto Sanchez went down in ST with a torn UCL and had Tommy John surgery. He should be back by ST next yr. Mark Melancon went down in October with Tommy John. He will likely be ready to throw in a few months, although he is certainly being held out of playing this season. Christian Garcia has also had Tommy John over the fall and is in the same boat as Melancon. And JB Cox had elbow surgery, but did not have Tommy John. Rumors abound that it was either a bone chip retrieval or an ulnar nerve transposition, both less serious than TJ. Even Brackman, the yankees #1 pick has had questions about the stability of his elbow. Even so, with the record that TJ surgery has, these players are still staring at a very bright future. Norton on the other hand, is likely done. Hence why you need quantity and quality.