1984 Profile: Jose Rijo

1983 Yankee Minor League Pitcher of the Year

"'He has an excellent chance to be a major league pitcher. Better still, he has an excellent chance to be an EXCELLENT major league pitcher.'
So said a Yankee pitching coach who has seen his share of up-and-coming young pitchers- Sammy Ellis. And the young pitcher that Ellis is speaking about is certainly that ... young, and a pitcher. His name is Jose Antonio Rijo, age 18. It is almost incomprehensible to realize that Rijo, who signed with the Yankees when he was 15, is not old enough to drink with his teammates at many bars throughout the United States. If he does make the big team, manager Yogi Berra may even have to hire a babysitter for him.
Do not, however, think that Rijo is a baby or immature. He will be 19 in May, but he conducts himself with the maturity of a seasoned pro and he has the right amount of cockiness to be an established pitcher for years to come.
'I never even pitched with Columbus [the Yankees' top minor league team]' Rijo said. 'I went right to spring training from Nashville [AA], so they must think I can pitch and that I have a chance to make the team. The best thing I can do is pitch as good as I can, to make things tough for them. Sure I'm young, but I can pitch.'
Yes he can. His fastball and curve are explosive, and in spring training, facing major league hitters for the first time, he gave up eight runs in eight innings- all unearned. He has averaged a strikeout an inning every place he has been since 1981."

-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook

"Rijo began the year at Ft. Lauderdale where he dominated Florida State League batters. He led the FSL with a 1.68 ERA, 15 wins and 15 complete games, tied for the FSL lead with four shutouts, ranked second with 152 strikeouts and fourth with 160.1 innings. Jose was named to the FSL All-Star team, named FSL Most Valuable Player, Sweet 16-A All-Star and Yankees Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He was promoted to Nashville near the end of the season.
Jose has spent three years in the Yankees' minor league system. He was originally signed by the Yankees for the 1981 season by scout Willie Calvino. A native of the Dominican Republic, Jose began his pro career at age 16."'

-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide