Has Refsnyder done enough to give the Yankees confidence in promoting him to the big leagues early in 2015?
Grade: A
2014 Statistics: .342/.385/.548 6 HR w/ Double-A Trenton, .300/.389/.456 8 HR w/ Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
2014 Level/Roster Status: Triple-A/Non 40-man
Rob Refsnyder really started making noise in the Yankees' system in 2013 when he batted .370/.452/.481 with Low-A Charleston at the beginning of the season. The outfielder turned second baseman was promoted to Tampa to finish out the year before starting off 2014 with the Trenton Thunder. Picking up right where he left off a season ago, Refsnyder dominated at Double-A with a .933 OPS in 60 games. The Yankees felt like he was ready for the next level when they bumped him up to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, and Refsnyder repaid their confidence by finishing out the season with 86 hits in 77 games.
It seemed to most people (myself included) that Refsnyder should have been considered for a big league spot in 2014 when the disappointing duo of Brian Roberts and Stephen Drew proved wholly ineffective. With neither being under contract for the next season, it probably wouldn't have hurt the team to see what Refsnyder could provide at the major league level before entering the offseason with both middle infield spots up for grabs. Defense, however, seemed to be where the team's hesitance with Refsnyder resided. The second baseman was an outfielder with the Arizona Wildcats in college before the team felt his bat played more as a second baseman professionally. Refsnyder threw the ball around a bit in 2013, committing 25 errors on the season. He trimmed that down quite a bit in 2014 with only 12 between the two levels.
You can bet that Refsnyder will get a very long look from the Yankees in spring training this year, regardless of the offseason moves they make. The team could go into spring training with a competition for the second base job between Refsnyder and some scrap heap pickup since the free agent options at the position aren't exactly inspiring. If Refsnyder doesn't start the season in the Bronx, it certainly shouldn't be long before he makes it to the majors. He's proven he can hit at every level he's been to so far. If questions about his defense can fade into the background then there is little doubt that he's pretty much ready for the big leagues today.
Refsnyder represents what we have waited quite some time for: a Yankees position player that is knocking on the door. It's exciting to watch one of them just dominate each level of the minors on their way to New York, and Refsnyder has done just that. If the farm system is actually going to make a turnaround and start producing big league talent, it's very possible that Refsnyder making it is Step 1 of that progress.
Do you think the Yankees should go into 2015 with Refsnyder as Plan A at second base, or should they go with a more established player? Do you think he's ready for the big leagues?