By Scott Barancik, Editor
After toiling nine years in the minor leagues, Richard Bleier finally got The Call today.
A 29-year-old southpaw and Team Israel alum, Bleier was promoted by the New York Yankees. He is a starter by trade but most likely will debut in the bullpen.
The Texas Rangers selected Bleier in the sixth round of the 2008 draft. He stayed in the team’s farm system through 2013, was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2014, and signed a free-agent deal with the Washington Nationals in the offseason.
Bleier’s year with the Nationals marked his breakout. Splitting the season between Double-A and Triple-A, the 6’3″, 215-pounder went a combined 14-5 with a 2.47 ERA and a pithy 0.8 walks allowed per nine innings.
Since joining the Yankees’ Triple-A club this season, Bleier is 2-2 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.17 walks/hits allowed per inning.
At 29, Bleier will be among the oldest players to make their MLB debut this season. He also will be this season’s 10th Jewish major leaguer.
Bleier’s father, a Brooklyn native who grew up cheering for the Yankees, told the Fort-Myers News-Press that the call-up was a “dream come true.”
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