Farm report: Pat Venditte
Pat Venditte, the organization's switch pitcher, is still at it and still producing. The former walk-on at Creighton, taken in the 20th round of the 2008 draft, slowly keeps moving through the Yankees' system, this year getting the job done for Double-A Trenton.
Venditte, 26, who has appeared with the Yankees in spring training each of the past two years -- one game each year -- has said he doesn't want to be seen as a sideshow but as a pitcher, like anyone else. Just one who happens to be ambidextrous, the only one currently in professional baseball.
Entering Thursday night, Venditte, who in previous summers pitched for Staten Island, Charleston and Tampa, was 3-6 but with a 2.83 ERA in 43 games. He had 73 strikeouts compared to 28 walks in 761/3 innings with a WHIP that is among the best on the staff.
In his last 10 games entering Thursday night, Venditte was 1-2 with a 1.96 ERA.
Righthanded hitters are batting .247 against Venditte and lefties are at .202. Venditte is a natural righty.