Yankees Top Pick Ty Hensley Hopes For Quick Rise To Big Leagues
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Yankees first-round pick Ty Hensley is in a New York state of mind.
The 18-year-old hurler from Edmond Santa Fe High School in Oklahoma said Tuesday that he plans to sign with the Bombers at the expense of his college commitment to Mississippi.
"My goal is definitely to be there by the time I'm 21 years old, which would have been my junior year in college," Hensley, the 30th overall pick in this year's MLB amateur draft, said during a conference call. "I think it's realistic. I know I have a long ways to go, but I'm definitely not going to stop working until I get there and after that."
Hensley, a physical presence at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, recorded a whopping 111 strikeouts in 55.1 innings in 2012. He went 10-0 over 11 games with a 1.52 ERA.
"I think the quicker that I can get started and get on to A-ball next year, I think the better," he said. "I'm set up with a great organization, and I can't go wrong."
Named the 2012 Gatorade Oklahoma Player of the Year, Hensley "is said to top out at 94 mph, with his best pitch being a power curveball," according to the Yankees' official website.
Before the draft, Hensley likened his mechanical approach to that of former New York starter Roger Clemens, and said Phillies star Roy Halladay has been his model for efficiency.
"I need to work on refining my command, my mechanics, which will come with time and repetition," he said Tuesday. "That's what I need to work on. I feel confident in all my pitches."
New York selected Argyle (TX) High School center fielder -- and football prospect -- Austin Aune at No. 89, and University of Miami catcher Peter O'Brien 94th overall in the second day of the draft.
Yankees fans, how quickly do you expect the youngster to make the bigs? Sound off in the comments below...
