MELBOURNE Aces will have a New York Yankee on their books in the Australian Baseball League this season.
The Aces have brought in exciting youngster Zachary Arneson to fill one of their pitching slots.
The 24-year-old is a right arm pitcher with a blistering 97mph (155km) fastball.
Arneson is looking to rejuvenate his career after two injury-interrupted seasons in the Big Apple, which included just three outings at Single-A Charleston RiverDogs this season and 11 appearances for Staten Island at class A level a year earlier.
Aces manager Phil Dale is thrilled to have brought in the Yankees’ ninth-round selection in the 2011 draft.
“We need reliable guys on the mound who can come in and do a job for us. Zachary will be solid, a ninth-round pick from a big organisation.
“For the Yankees to spend the money, they must regard him pretty highly.
“He’ll be a great addition to our bullpen.”
Aces general manager Windsor Knox is salivating at the prospect of a Yankee sending down thunderbolts at the Melbourne Ball Park in Altona.
“It’s a fantastic day for the Aces and our fans to be associated with the New York Yankees,” he said.
“We look forward to seeing Zachary’s contribution to the team’s success this summer.”
Arneson will land in time for the Aces’ big opening weekend three-game series against Adelaide Bite on November 9-11.
