The Yankees drafted RHP Franklin German during the fourth round with the 127th pick in 2018 out of North Florida. Originally German wasn’t thought of as a prospect that had the potential to get drafted this high, but after posting an ERA of 1.58 over 91 innings he showed the doubters that he definitely had the talent to succeed on the next level.

The 22-year-old Queens native has been working his way through the ranks and finds himself on the Tarpons roster for a second year this upcoming season. After spending some time with both the Gulf Coast and Staten Island affiliates German will look for the chance to improve his game as well as bouncing back from an injury that forced him to miss some time last year.

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Pinstriped Prospects: To begin your career the Yankees took it easy on you since you had a big college workload and pitched both spring and summer. What did you learn during this time?

Frank German: “I learned that instead of pitching once every week you have to be prepared to throw two times a week at least in pro ball and just learning the importance of how to get into a routine is what I learned my first year in Staten [Island[. When you’re playing the game things might go too fast. It’s good to get in the habit of watching game films and Major League play.”

PP: Does not being ranked in the top 500 out of high school still drive you?

FG: “Definitely when you’re kind of looked over you carry a chip on your shoulder and you make it a point to prove to everyone that you’re better than what they think you are, so that’s why I still carry that chip with me.”

PP: What have you been working on the most in this offseason? How are you feeling going into the 2020 season?

FG: “I’ve been working on staying healthy, and just focusing on staying healthy for a whole minor league season and hopefully a major league one down the road. Just playing baseball for five to six months on end can get pretty taxing so just trying to get stronger overall for that.”