TJ Rumfield spent the previous four seasons working his way up the Yankees minor league system.
And even as he developed into a solid hitter at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre a year ago — where he played 138 games — the lefty-swinging first baseman was aware his future might not be in The Bronx.
“It’s one of those things, you sit there and have a good year, [but] Ben Rice is a great hitter,’’ Rumfield said of his former minor league teammate. “We play the same position, we’re left-handed hitters. It’s hard to be on the same roster.”
The Yankees agreed and in January, with Rumfield already working out in Tampa in advance of spring training, they traded him to the Rockies for right-hander Angel Chivilli. And with Chivilli struggling to stay healthy and make an impact with the Yankees, Rumfield has emerged as a force with Colorado.
The 26-year-old started at first base in Tuesday’s series opener against the Yankees in Rumfield’s first trip to the Stadium. And he entered with an OPS of .850, tops among rookies in the majors this season.
Rumfield’s numbers aren’t a product of hitter-friendly Coors Field, since he has an .890 OPS at home and .807 on the road. Asked if he was confident he would have this much success when he was developing in the minors, Rumfield said: “Absolutely.”
“As a player, you’re just waiting for your time in the minor leagues and you can perform to the best of your abilities and it might not be the right moment or right time,’’ Rumfield said. “It’s nice to have the opportunity and be able to prove you’re able to do this at this level, too.’’
The former 12th-round pick by Philadelphia in 2021 was traded to the Yankees that offseason in a minor deal and credited the Yankees with helping him get to this level.
“I’m grateful for everything the Yankees did for me,” said the 6-foot-5 Rumfield — who played alongside not just Rice, but current Yankees such as Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr., Austin Wells and Cam Schlittler, among others, in the minors. “It’s surreal. Coming up in an organization, you dream what it would be like to play in that stadium. To be on the other side is a little weird, but it’s special in its own way.”
One of those ex-teammates, Jones, said he wasn’t shocked by how productive Rumfield has been with the Rockies.
“We played together with Scranton last year, hit back-to-back and our lockers were next to each other,’’ Jones said. “You know what you’re gonna get: Good at-bats at the plate, and he’s gonna make every play at first. I’m happy for him and I don’t think anyone is surprised by his success. He’s so consistent and can adapt to any level.”
