Jacob Lindgren, the New York Yankees top selection, is ready for whatever pitching role his new organization has in store. [url

Jacob Lindgren, the New York Yankees top selection, is ready for whatever pitching role his new organization has in store. Trevor Kelley Red Sox Jersey . The Yankees took Lindgren in the second round with the 55th overall pick Thursday night. New York hasnt told Lindgren whether they project the 5-foot-11, 203-pound pitcher from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi as a starter or reliever. "Its hard to make the big league club," Lindgren said. "Im sure the Yankees will do a good job monitoring" progress at each level to see where he fits best. Lindgren was a talented high-school pitcher taken in the 12th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago Cubs, yet chose college ball over the pros. He worked mostly in relief his freshman year before earning a spot in the Bulldogs rotation to start his sophomore season. Lindgren, though, was inconsistent and Mississippi State coaches moved him back to the bullpen where he said something finally clicked. Lindgren became more aggressive in late-inning situations, he said, and that helped the speed on his fastball improve from the upper 80s-lower 90s to mid-90s this season. He refined that at the Cape Cod League last summer and brought that new mindset to the Bulldogs bullpen. "My stuff was just playing out better," he said. "And I feel like its worked out." That showed in his performance as Lindgren was one of the best relievers in the Southeastern Conference. He led the country with more than 16 strikeouts over nine innings this season. His 100 strikeouts this year was tops among all relievers in Division I and his draft status perked up. "I knew my junior year was going to be a huge year for me because I had a lot to prove," he said. "Thats why I worked hard." Lindgren had heard from many clubs including the Yankees prior to the draft, but didnt have a strong feeling about where hed end up. He grew up a Minnesota Twins fan, but "everybody dreams of playing for the New York Yankees and wearing the pinstripes," he said. Mississippi States season ended last weekend, losing in NCAA regional play to top-ranked Louisiana-Lafayette. Lindgren came on early in the final game Monday and worked 4 1/3 innings of three-hit ball, but it wasnt enough in the Rajun Cajuns 5-3 victory. The Yankees took pitchers with their first five selections, including Lindgrens Mississippi State teammate Jonathan Holder in the sixth round Friday. They also selected Connecticut high-schooler Austin DeCarr in the third round, South Carolina lefty starter Jordan Montgomery in the fourth and Central Michigan right-hander Jordan Foley in the fifth. Lindgrens selection carries a slot bonus value of $1,018,700. He doesnt expect holdups in reaching a deal and hopes to get that wrapped up as quickly as possible and begin helping the Yankees win games. He said baseball is about winning championships and "hopefully, we can bring one back to New York." Michael Chavis Jersey . -- Scottie Wilbekin sat on the bench for the final minute, holding a bag of ice against his left knee. Allen Craig Jersey . The Brazilian international goalkeeper was beaten twice in the first 12 minutes of his Reds debut in a 3-1 preseason loss to Columbus Crew in Florida earlier this week. https://www.cheapredsox.com/1511z-brian-johnson-jersey-red-sox.html . -- Aaron Rodgers looked fine on the practice field Thursday.While the rest of the hockey world continues to debate Hockey Canadas selections and omissions for the mens team going to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, executive director Steve Yzermans roster has already earned a big thumbs up from The Great One. "I really think he put together a good team," Wayne Gretzky told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun on ESPN.com. "Hes got skill, hes got size, hes got depth, hes got a good coaching staff, and theyve done all their homework. Theyve done everything they can do. Now its up to the players to play at the level that they need to play at to bring back the gold medal." Gretzky is no stranger to building teams for the Olympics, as he helped select the 2002 and 2006 Canadian teams. The 2002 squad snapped Canadas 50-year gold medal drought at the Olympics in Salt Lake City, while the 2006 team finished off the podium in Torino. The team selection is always a controversial process, with fans and pundits naturally second-guessing the picks once theyre announced. "My son, who is 21, who doesnt follow hockey all that much, was showing me the second team that Canada could have put together, which would have been pretty good," Gretzky told LeBrunn. Carl Yastrzemski Red Sox Jersey. "So, even kids down here are talking about it." Gretzky added that Yzerman, who also led the selection committee for Canadas gold-medal winning team at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, did a good job of avoiding any real obvious controversy with most of their choices. "There was really no controversy on the three goalies," he told LeBrun. "Those are the three guys and with the ability to have eight defensemen instead of seven, there really wasnt any talk about so and so was left off." Theres one difficult task that Gretzky never had to endure - wear an NHL GMs hat at the same time and tell his own player that he didnt make the team. Thats something that Yzerman had to do with his Tampa Bay Lightning captain Martin St. Louis on Tuesday morning. "Ive always said that its an easy hard job," said Gretzky. "Its easy because youre picking from 50 really good players, so youve got an easy task in terms of having a good team. But its a hard task in getting down to those final few picks; thats what really makes it difficult. Its never fun. It wont be controversial if they win, but as always, itll be controversial if they lose." ' ' '