The Pitchers Part 2:
Feb 23, 2014; Viera, FL, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Danny Rosenbaum (65) poses for a picture during photo day at Space Coast Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Left hander Danny Rosenbaum who had Tommy John surgery in 2014, was acquired from the Washington Nationals in January of 2015 for catcher Dan Butler. In Rosenbaum’s career he has been a starter, posting a 3.33 ERA in 141 career minor league starts. He may be in Arizona to build up his innings for this year, since he pitched only 57.1 coming back from the surgery. Rosenbaum is 28 years old, a 22nd round pick by the Nationals in 2009 out of Xavier University. Like Martin, Rosenbaum’s best pitch is his changeup. His fastball is about 91 mph. Rosenbaum is subject to the Rule V draft in December, so the Red Sox may also be taking a closer look at him to see if they might want to protect him so he won’t get picked up by another team, but given his injury history and age, that seems unlikely.
Rosenbaum pitched 1.1 innings in his lone AFL appearance so far this season, allowing no runs on two hits, walking one and striking out one.
Right handed pitcher Chandler Shepherd was a 13th round draft choice out of the University of Kentucky in 2014. In his debut season, Chandler struck out 35 batters in 33.1 innings for Lowell in the Rookie A League. Shepherd’s arsenal features a low 90’s fastball, low 80’s slider and a change-up. Shepherd started well in 2015, posting a 1.23 ERA in 14.2 innings at Low-A Greenville. When the team promoted him to High-A Salem, the native Kentuckian posted a 3.61 ERA in 52.1 innings with six saves. It is a feather in Shepherd’s cap to be invited to the AFL considering he has not pitched above A ball yet, so he is another pitcher to keep an eye on.
Shepherd has yet to pitch in an AFL game.