NEW YORK -- It was January of this year. First baseman TJ Rumfield was a member of the Yankees' organization and decided to report to their Spring Training facility a month before the actual reporting date. He was invited to Major League camp and wanted to leave a good impression.
By the end of the month, however, Rumfield had been traded to the Rockies for right-hander Angel Chivilli. Rumfield was surprised that he was dealt, but he knew Ben Rice was going to be ahead of him on New York's depth chart.
“Ben Rice is spectacular. He is a great player, hitter and person,” Rumfield said. “He plays the same position -- left-handed bat. It’s hard to be on the same roster.”
It turned out to be a steal for Colorado, because Rumfield is one of the top rookies in the National League, while Chivilli is currently on the 7-day injured list for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre because of a right elbow injury.
Rumfield is one of the leading candidates to win the NL Rookie of Year. After going 1-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday night's 5-3 loss to the Yankees, he has a slash line of .299/.390/.459 with 15 home runs and 67 RBIs. On the other side of the ball, Rumfield ranks second among Major League first basemen in defensive runs saved (10). Rumfield declined to say that he should win the award.
“There are so many guys doing so much,” Rumfield said. “Tip of the cap to Sal Stewart and JJ Wetherholt. I’m probably missing some other guys. I just try to show up and play pitch to pitch. Let the award figure itself out.”
Rumfield entered Yankee Stadium for the first time in his professional career on Tuesday. He said he dreamed of playing for the team that developed his baseball skills.
“It’s kind of weird, but special in its own way,” he said. “I’m super grateful for what the Yankees did for me -- the development and the player that I am today. I want to thank them. … They helped me so much, fielding, hitting, baseball and being a person. Kind of the whole shebang.”
Rumfield is not a stranger to most of the young players on the current Yankees' roster. He played with Cam Schlittler, George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones. Rumfield is not surprised they are contributing to New York's playoff push.
“They are fantastic baseball players. They worked hard and they executed, too,” Rumfield said. “It’s hard not to keep up with the Yankees. I keep in touch. Social media kind of makes it a little easier.”