LIHU‘E — Janna Yates was excited after talking with her son Tyler on Friday morning. Tyler, a 1995 graduate of Kaua‘i High School where he used to play baseball before moving on the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo where he
LIHU‘E — Janna Yates was excited after talking with her son Tyler on Friday morning.
Tyler, a 1995 graduate of Kaua‘i High School where he used to play baseball before moving on the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo where he continued to throw the ball, was having ‘one of those days’ since trying for the fifth rotation slot for the Mets.
“It was starting to wear him down,” Janna said after talking with Tyler early Friday morning. Tyler has been working on trying to fill the position since January.
That was the first conversation.
Then, came the second call from Tyler, this time announcing to Janna that he was selected as the Fourth Rotation.
An excited Janna explained that everyone was trying for the Fifth position, and the Fourth was not even in contention since the Mets already had filled the position.
But, with the opening of the Major League Baseball season looming next week, the Fourth position opened up, and Tyler, based on his performance during the Spring Training program, was selected to fill the position.
Tyler’s room mate, Grant Roberts, was named to the Fifth Rotation.
Janna said that even if Tyler has no major league experience, his showing in the Spring Training program allowed him to fill the position making him the first Kaua‘i boy to ever reach that level in the majors.
“It brings tears to my eyes,” said Ronnie Dotario of PS & d when he heard the news. “I’m so happy for Gary (Yates). He deserves this.”
Dotario used to coach Tyler alongside Gary, Tyler’s dad, when the boys played for the Koloa Youth Baseball Association.
“Spencer used to catch, and Kirby was born on the same day as my son. They’re the same age,” Dotario said of Tyler’s younger brothers. “I’m just so happy for the whole family.”
J Robertson, another of Tyler’s youth coaches, said he had no doubt Tyler would’ve made the majors. Robertson said he always felt that Tyler had what it took to perform on the level of the pros, and the hardest thing was for Tyler to persevere.
Born August 7, 1977, Tyler was selected in the 23rd round of the 1996 amateur draft by the Oakland Athletics where he played until 2001 when the Mets acquired him along with left-handed pitcher Mark Guthrie in exchange for David Justice on Dec. 14, 2001.
Some of his highlights leading to filling the Mets’ fourth rotation, Tyler began the 2002 year at Norfolk (AAA) of the International League until he was recalled by the Mets on Apr. 16.
But, he did not appear in any games and was optioned back to the Tides on Apr. 17.
In June, Tyler was placed on the 15-day Disabled List with a right elbow strain for which he underwent “Tommy John” surgery on June. 19.
At this point, Tyler was averaging nine strikeouts per nine innings before being put on the DL, the right-handed hurler recording at least one strikeout in 27 of his 34 appearances.
Against Indianapolis, Tyler notched a season-high six strikeouts in three innings of work on May 28.
Tyler also did not permit a run in his first ten innings to start the season, and was unscored upon in 17 of his 24 outings.
Tyler also held left-handed batters to a .188 (9-48) batting average, and closed the year, 1-0 with two saves and a 1.20 ERA in 12 contests on the road.
During his tenure from 1996-2003, Tyler has amassed a 17-win, 22-loss record (.436) over 175 games, pitching for a combined 397 innings, recording 378 strikeouts while walking 168. He allowed 400 hits with 226 runs, 182 earned.
While a Red Raider, Tyler was the KIF Baseball Player of the Year in his senior year, and also received honors as an honorable mention All-State in football as an offensive and defensive lineman.
During his junior year, Tyler played in the Baseball Area Code Games as one of the top junior high school players in the country, that tournament played at Long Beach State in California.
Tyler’s younger brother Spencer also played on the Kaua‘i High School baseball team, and went on to play two years at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo as a catcher.
Kirby, Tyler’s youngest brother, is a current pitcher for the Kaua‘i High School baseball team that enjoys a bye until Wednesday when they travel to Hanapepe Stadium to take on Waimea.
“I was planning to watch the opening games on Sunday after my part-time job,” Dotario said. “Now, I wish it was the Mets playing.”
