Former Staten Island Yankee Pitcher Jonny Drozd Rejoins Affiliated Ball

By Jerry Del Priore

The Minnesota Twins organization signed hurler Jonny Drozd, who played with the Staten Island Yankees of the New York-Penn League in the 2015 season, during the week. Drozd is currently in the Minnesota Twins’ minor league camp in Ft. Myers, FL.

 

Drozd posted an impressive 3-2 record with 1.85 ERA 43.2 innings of work in 24 games with Staten Island in 2015.

Last season with Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League, the 25-year-old went 0-1 with 3.13 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched in 11 tilts. In addition, the six-foot-seven-inch, 200-pound left-hander appeared in 21 games for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the independent Atlantic League in the second half of the season.

Drozd didn’t record great numbers (0-1, 5.59, 19.1 innings, 21 games) with Lancaster, but current Barnstormer manger Ross Peeples said the southpaw is solid on left-handed batters.  

“Drozd is a sneaky lefty who can be tough against left-handed hitters,” said Ross Peeples, current former Brooklyn Cyclone and Mets’ minor leaguer, on the team’s website. “It’s great to see him get another opportunity with a Major League organization.”

In total, Drozd has put up a 3-4 record with 1.88 ERA in 76.2 innings in 48 contests in affiliated baseball, all with the Yankees’ farm system.