Jeff Karstens: The Will To Fight

When asked to name players within the New York Yankees organization, I guarantee you that Jeff Karstens would not be near the top of the list. And while he may not be a superstar or even have a spot on the major league club, this 25-year-old kid has a work ethic and determination that anyone can admire.

On September 24, 1982, deep in southern California, Mr. and Mrs. Karstens gave birth to a little boy who, although they didn't know at the time, had a great talent and an even greater will.

In his senior year of high school, young Jeff Karstens earned the titles of Mount Miguel High School's most valuable player, First-Team All-Conference Honors selection, and Second-Team All-San Diego selection. Posting an 8-2 record and an ERA under three, the teenage hurler showed how talented he truly was.

Four years later, during the 19th round of the 2003 amateur draft, Karstens received a call from The New York Yankees, giving him the oppurtunity to reach the top of his trade with the most prolific franchise on the planet.

In 2005, the 22-year-old led the Trenton Thunder's Double-A pitching staff while finishing in the top five in the league in innings pitched and finishing in the top three in wins and starts.

The following season, Karstens was promoted to the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. Karstens had trouble finding his way with the team, showing an incapablity to win games and posting an ERA near 10.

This eventually led to Karstens being send back down to his Thunder team of the previous year, where he fought back from his season that had, to this point, been disappointing, going undefeated and posting an ERA of 2.31. 

Jeff's rebound allowed him to get the call back to Columbus where this new-found dominance continued as he finished his Triple-A season with five consecutive wins and an ERA below two.

On August 19th of that same season, Karstens hard work and determination was finally rewarded when he got the call that changed his life forever. He was officially a major leaguer.

Three days later he stepped onto the mound in a Yankees uniform for the first time when he took on the Seattle Mariners. The rookie showed his talent again as he pitched into the sixth inning while only giving up 3 runs on the most exciting day of his young life.

Karstens received a no-decision in his first major league start, but five days later, he won his first game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, throwing six innings of work and once again only giving up three runs.

The following season, the San Diego native continued to impress the team, as he showed very dominant in Spring Training.

Due to early injuries to the Yankees starting pitchers, Karstens got the call to take the mound again on April 28 against the rival Red Sox.

The very first batter of the game, Julio Lugo bashed a ball off Jeff's leg. Joe Torre and trainer Gene Monahan suggested Karstens leave the game, but he insisted he was alright wanted to continue. He went on to face one more batter before it appeared as if he was worse off than it had originally appeared.

X-rays taken later showed that Jeff had fractured his fibula, quite a painful injury. Yet Jeff's desire to lead, to win, to face the future American League East Champions overcame that pain and he tried to fight on.

After surgery and months upon months of rehab, Karstens finally returned to the majors, but after going that long without pitching, he had a very unimpressive performance.

Jeff was demoted to Triple-A, but he fought back once again, returning to the Yankees major league club the following month.

Entering the 2008 season, he may not have a guaranteed spot in the starting rotation or on the Yankees pitching staff at all, but you can be sure that Jeff Karstens will continue to fight through anything that stands before him as he looks to achieve his full potential and become one of the most fearsome starting pitchers that baseball has ever seen.