Lefty pitcher moves closer to big leagues

Heather Cory

Former College of Southern Nevada and Cimarron-Memorial baseball player Mike Dunn trains at CSN last week. The New York Yankees added Dunn to its 40-man roster in late November.

By Jared Harmon

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008 | midnight

Heather Cory

Recently added to the Yankees 40-man roster, Mike Dunn practices during his off-season training at the College of Southern Nevada's Lied Field on Dec. 3.

Heather Cory

Former CSN baseball player, Mike Dunn, practices pitching at Lied Field on Dec. 3. Recently added to the Yankees 40-man roster, Dunn works on his off-season training with his former coach Tim Chambers.

What a difference a postseason makes.

Former College of Southern Nevada and Cimarron-Memorial baseball player Mike Dunn was working his way through the New York Yankees organization as a left-handed pitcher when he was called up to the playoff-bound Double-A Trenton (N.J.) Thunder in September.

In 4.1 innings of postseason play, Dunn held opponents hitless and scoreless while collecting seven strikeouts. His work, combined with a lack of organizational depth in left-handed pitchers, earned Dunn a spot on the Yankees' 40-man roster in late November.

He received word on Nov. 20 from Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman.

"I honestly don't think it's all soaked in yet," Dunn said. "I still get chills thinking about being that much closer to the bigs."

Drafted as an outfielder and first baseman in the 33rd round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Dunn had not pitched since high school when the organization converted him back in 2006.

CSN coach Tim Chambers said he always knew Dunn had the talent to make it in the pros — no matter the position.

"We never used him as a pitcher because he was such a good athlete and we needed his bat in the lineup," Chambers said. "But even when he was here we could tell he had a live arm. He was always a strong guy — a workhorse type — but we didn't want him to stretch himself too thin."

Dunn was initially upset when he was asked to return to the mound because he enjoyed hitting and felt like he was starting to improve offensively. Ultimately, the move proved beneficial for Dunn, 23, as he went 5-7 with one save and a 4.49 earned run average in 31 combined games (22 starts) with Trenton and Single-A Tampa before making an even bigger impact in the playoffs.

Being added to the 40-man roster ensures a higher salary at whichever minor league level Dunn ends up next season.

As one of only four left-handed pitchers on the roster, Dunn hopes to earn a spot on the Yankees with a strong showing at spring training this March. The next few months will be an important time for Dunn as he begins workouts at CSN to show up in March in top shape and ready to impress.

"I don't normally start playing catch until January, but I want to show up ready to go," Dunn said. "I want to workout now, so I can go through that dead arm phase before I get there."

CSN assistant coach Cooper Fouts said the program is always happy to have a former player come back and train, especially someone like Dunn who takes time to work with the current roster.

"It's pretty cool for all of us to have a guy like Mike make it onto the 40-man," Fouts said. "Having him come back and train, the guys can see what it takes to make it to that level. He's great with the kids and he's a good guy to have around the program."

Dunn is now the second former Coyote to make a major league roster after shortstop Sean Kazmar was called up to the San Diego Padres this season. The Coyotes have 14 former players in the minor leagues.

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or jared.harmon@hbcpub.com.