Prospect Countdown: #29 Robinson Yambati

29. Robinson Yambati Right Handed Pitcher

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Age: 22
Height: 6'3" 
Weight: 185
B/T: R/R
Acquired: Signed as International Free Agent

2013 Rank: 19

2012 Rank: 28

2011 Rank: 16

Landon Adams (NR): It was only a few years ago that Robinson Yambati and Yordano Ventura were paired together. Unlike Ventura, Yambati met some control issues that have really held back his development. During that time it was also determined that Yambati's career would be best suited for the bullpen. I still like Yambati as a reliever and I think there is good upside there. Before he can make a mark he'll need to improve his control. If he does he could be a quick riser.

Paden Bennett (21): Like Michael Mariot I had hopes that Yambati would be a back of the rotation groundball starter.  However, it does not look like this is going to come to fruition either.  Yambati gets a ton of groundballs at a 52% clip but struggles with his command.  Also, his fastball is nothing special sitting in the 88-91 range but his three-quarter delivery does tend to give hitters problems with some deception.  For this reason I could see him being a really solid bullpen guy in the future if he can learn to better command his pitches.

Joe Cox (NR):  Robinson Yambati will be 23 by opening day 2014, but will actually be entering his 6^th season within the Royal’s organization.  Yambati spent 2013 in A+ compiling 35.1 innings in 25 games.  He has a stellar strikeout rate (10.7 K/9) despite the fact that his fastball only hits 88-91.  He throws at a 3/4^th angle and uses deception to miss bats.  He also misses the plate however, as his command took a step backwards last season walking 4.58 batters per nine innings.  Yambati does induce lots of groundballs, but his control and the likelihood that he remains in the pen gives him limited upside moving forward.  Hopefully we will see a decrease in walks without sacrificing many strikeouts, otherwise he is more of a depth piece within the organization than a potential high leverage relief arm. 

Dan Ware (27): Unlike prospect Michael Mariot, Yambati has been a model of inconsistency.  The past 2 seasons, the soon to be 23 year old has been a reliever in High-A Wilmington. 2012 was a good year as he posted a 2.16 ERA in 25 IP and had an impressive 3.10 K/BB.  Then last year, in 35.1 IP, Carolina League hitters felt a little more comfortable at the plate it seemed, raising Yambati's ERA up to 3.82, the highest it's been since '09.  Still, you can't ignore the fact that Robinson has a low to mid 90's heater, he posts good K/BB numbers, and his career ground ball rate is at a nice 52%, thanks to his three-quarter delivery.  If all goes well for Yambati, he should start his 7th year in the organization as a member of the NWA Naturals.

Total Points: 14