Down on the Farm

[ChrisLDuncan]

Since they haven't gotten their fill from the Tony Womack trade, the Reds have now signed Yankee immortal (and fan favorite) Bubba Crosby! :D

Reds agree to deal with OF Bubba Crosby (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AkuBLr4TyVTSiDa304fqzTMW0bYF?slug=redscr osby&prov=st&type=lgns)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was a good 5th or 6th OF. I liked him

[Mattingly]

We haven't had a thread about the Yankee Farm system for quite awhile now. Might as well start now. Ee-i-ee-i-oo. (from Ol' McDonald had a Farm, to those of you who've never been kids). :D

Anything pertaining to this should be posted here.

Yankees hopefuls heat up AFL
Arizona Fall League provides platform for baby pinstripers (http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051014&content_id=1249698&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy)

By Michael Echan / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees are finally starting to see returns from some of their draft picks, especially a homegrown golden boy.

Eric Duncan is hitting the cover off the ball while learning a new position, and T.J. Beam and Steven White turned in strong outings on the mound. Here is a review of how the Yankees' prospects are faring with the Arizona Fall League's Grand Canyon Rafters:

T.J. Beam, RHP -- Beam was solid in his first two outings, working 3 2/3 scoreless innings without issuing a walk. The 6-foot-7 right-hander hit a bump in the road on Oct. 12 against the Peoria Saguaros, allowing seven runs -- two earned -- on seven hits over two innings.

Eric Duncan, 3B -- As frustrating as the Eastern League season was for the former first-round pick, the AFL has been just as rewarding for Duncan. The 20-year-old New Jersey native is batting .519 with five home runs and 13 RBIs in six games -- all while making the move to first base.

David Parrish, C -- The 26-year-old backstop had a rocky start to his AFL stay, but started to come around toward the end of the week. After going hitless in his first two games, Parrish launched a two-run homer on Oct. 11 against the Surprise Scorpions.

Bronson Sardinha, RF -- Sardinha has been steady in right field for the Rafters, collecting at least one hit in four of his first five games. His best performance came on Oct. 11, when he went 3-for-4 with a run scored against the Scorpions.

Matt Smith, LHP -- The Las Vegas native hasn't had much luck in the AFL. Smith allowed four runs over two innings on Oct. 5, then was lit up for seven runs while retiring only two batters on Oct. 10 against Surprise.

Steven White, RHP -- The big right-hander had mixed results during his first two outings. On Oct. 5, he gave up two runs over two innings against the Peoria Javelinas. Facing the Peoria Saguaros on Oct. 12, White worked four scoreless frames, yielding just a hit and two walks while fanning five.

Michael Echan is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[DoubleX]

Other than the news about Duncan, there doesn't seem much else of real promise to note.

[sandlot]

Anybody know if David Parrish is any relation to Lance Parrish?

[DoubleX]

Anybody know if David Parrish is any relation to Lance Parrish?

I think I remember hearing when he was drafted that he is Lance Parrish's son. He's already 26, and we haven't really seen him on the big league level. It's looking doubtful that he'll ever really contribute for the Yanks at the ML level. They have to start thinking about grooming an heir for Posada. Navarro would have been perfect. He's gone now, so I say try to pry Brian McCann from the Braves. That will be tough, but they do already have Johnny Estrada and another young catcher (can't remember his name, I think his last name is Pena though).

[Yankee Legend]

Ive heard the 1B on the Staten Island Yankees has some promise. I believe his name is Kyle Larson??? I live only 10 minutes from the ballpark so i see him play all the time.

[yankees-chick]

I like that the article on MLB said "yankees re-discover the farm system".

this may have been the first time steinbrenner has heard that he HAS a farm system...

maybe i'm just jealous of the mets (wright, jacobs, mileage...)

[pacewon]

Eric Duncan destroyed the Arizona Fall League. In 23 games, he hit .362 with a .423 OBP and .734 SLG. He had 9 doubles, a triple, and 8 homers. He hasn't played recently, however, and I'm concerned that he's injured, or maybe he was just sent home. Hopefully the latter.

[pacewon]

Never mind, Duncan was just sent home early. AFL is over.

*sigh of relief*

[Ravenlord]

honestly, i think Duncan is the only prospect who'd show up on most teams (read the top 12) teams prospect lists (as stated by Basbeall America). sorry if that ruffles anyone's feathers, but that's just how i feel (not that i think the Reds system is much/or any better).

[Dasperp]

Most Scouts seem to think Hughes is a very good prospect, though he is still young.

[pacewon]

honestly, i think Duncan is the only prospect who'd show up on most teams (read the top 12) teams prospect lists (as stated by Basbeall America). sorry if that ruffles anyone's feathers, but that's just how i feel (not that i think the Reds system is much/or any better).

No offense taken. Our system is not in the top 10 in baseball.

That being said, as Dasperp mentioned, most rank Hughes ahead of Duncan as far as Yankees prospects go.

[Mattingly]

Old McGeorgie had a Farm! E-I-E-I-O! :p

Thunder named nation's top organization
President's trophy goes to "Complete Baseball Franchise" among 160 teams (http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20051122&content_id=1271297&vkey=pr_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy)

TRENTON, NJ -- The Trenton Thunder, Class AA Affiliate of the New York Yankees, was formally recognized by its governing body and the other 160 Minor Leagues teams in the United States and Canada as the Number One baseball organization in the nation.

Minor League Baseball, headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, announced that the Trenton Thunder has been awarded the John H. Johnson President's Trophy which is given annually to the most outstanding franchise in Minor League Baseball that best exemplifies the complete Minor League Baseball organization. The categories that are taken into consideration when selecting a winner for this award include contributions to the baseball industry, contributions to the community, long-term franchise stability, the financial success of the operation and overall promotion of the baseball industry. The President's Trophy will be presented at the annual Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas,TX next month.

With this latest honor the Thunder has become just the 10th team in Minor League Baseball history to win the three major team awards in Minor League Baseball: the Johnson Trophy, the Larry MacPhail Trophy for Outstanding Club Promotion (2003) and the Bob Frietas Award for Long-Term Success (1998, given by Baseball America). The Thunder has won the three awards in a span of eight years. Only two teams have won the three awards in a shorter time span: Buffalo (AAA) 1989-1992 and Reading (AA) 1999-2003.

"On behalf or our entire organization and Thunder family, I would like to thank Minor League Baseball for this outstanding award," said Thunder President and co-owner Joe Finley. "We are both honored and humbled by the receipt of this award and reminded that the most important part of the Thunder Family remains our fans and our community. We pledge to our fans and our community that we will honor our commitment to provide them with the experience they have come to expect as they pass through the gates of Waterfront Park."

The Thunder has consistently been one of the top organizations in all of Minor League Baseball since its inception twelve years ago. The Thunder has drawn over 400,000 fans in each of the last 11 seasons and welcomed its 5,000,000th fan in the history of the franchise this past season. Both of these are records for Minor League Baseball at the Double A level and below. The Trenton organization has also made a strong commitment to giving back to the community, as the club has raised $2.46-million worth of goods, services and monetary donations through its Grand Slam We Care Foundation. "To win all three of the awards that a Minor League team can earn in just 12 seasons really speaks volumes about the level of continued support we receive from our fans. We cannot thank the fans and community enough for believing in what we do and for spending their time with us," said Thunder General Manger Brad Taylor.

Taylor added," So much of the credit should also be given to our highly motivated staff for bringing an enthusiasm and a passion for what they do at the ballpark everyday. They continue to strive to make the Thunder entertainment experience, our community outreach initiatives and our presence as a partner in the local business community better than ever. It feels great to see all of our hard work get recognized as the best in the nation."

The Thunder are busy getting prepared for the 2006 season, which kicks off on Thursday, April 13th at Waterfront Park against the Connecticut Defenders (formerly the Norwich Navigators) at 7:05 PM with post game fireworks and a magnetic schedule giveaway courtesy of Verizon Super Pages. Full and half season tickets, group tickets and Mini Ticket Packages are currently available by calling the Trenton Thunder Ticket Office at (609) 394-3300 or by going online to www.trentonthunder.com.

[Coal Cracker]

I'm still rather unsure of why David Parrish is still appearing on prospect lists? He's not even that good. The only reason he is really even still in the organization is because of the complete lack of catching talent on all levels of the Minor League system.

Phil Hughes is going to be a good one. I really hope that the Yankees manage to hold on to him because he will be the best lefty to come out of the organization since Andy Pettitte. Though there's not much competition for that. :laugh

[TonyStarks]

I'm still rather unsure of why David Parrish is still appearing on prospect lists? He's not even that good. The only reason he is really even still in the organization is because of the complete lack of catching talent on all levels of the Minor League system.

Phil Hughes is going to be a good one. I really hope that the Yankees manage to hold on to him because he will be the best lefty to come out of the organization since Andy Pettitte. Though there's not much competition for that. :laugh

FYI:
Hughes is Righty, not a lefty.

[TonyStarks]

Anyone have any insight on any of these guys:

Phillip Hughes

Eric Duncan

Tyler Clippard

Chris Garcia

Tim Battle

Matt DeSalvo

Bron Sardinha

Anyone info besides what ESPN and Scouts says about them?
Anyone see any of them play?

I've seen Eric and Bronson play and I was impressed but that was only 2 game samples.

[Mattingly]

Well, let's see if any of our bumper crops are growin' properly? :D Let's see now, a little water, a little love, raise properly, and ... voilà!

If CFer Melky Cabrera becomes useful in 2007 or so, I'm wondering if we shouldn't just have Damon become a DH. :p

Cabrera getting playoff experience
Yankees prospect enjoying strong season with Las Aguilas (http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060106&content_id=1292027&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy)

By Bryan Hoch / Special to MLB.com

With the Dominican Winter League schedule complete, Yankees outfield prospect Melky Cabrera is compiling playoff experience -- a trait that never hurts around the Bronx.

With Cabrera's Las Aguilas Cibaeñas leading the way toward the Dominican finals, the 21-year-old switch-hitter has contributed, driving in five runs and scoring four in eight games as his club plays through the league's round-robin tournament schedule.

The postseason follows a Dominican League regular season in which Cabrera batted .315 (35-for-111) with six doubles, two triples, 18 RBIs and seven stolen bases, posting a .376 on-base percentage in 40 games.

He walked 12 times and struck out 13 times, improving his ratios after working out 37 walks and striking out 87 times in 132 games with Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Columbus in 2005.

In 106 games with Trenton, Cabrera hit .275 with 10 home runs and 60 RBIs, stealing 11 bases and doubling 22 times. In 26 games with Columbus, Cabrera hit .248 with three homers, 17 RBIs and two steals.

Though he hasn't appeared in the playoffs, infielder Caonabo Cosme is also with Las Aguilas. In 14 games, Cosme, who played shortstop at Columbus in 62 games in 2005, batted .318 in 22 at-bats, scoring pair of runs and driving in one.

In 211 at-bats for the Clippers, Cosme hit .265 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. He also stole five bases, doubled 13 times and tripled once.

Rudy Guillen, who hit .260 in 100 games with Class A Tampa in 2005, played sparingly for Leones del Escogido this winter. Guillen had just 21 at-bats, posting a .273 average, and he has gone hitless in four playoff at-bats.

Guillen hit six homers, drove in 39 runs and stole 10 bases with Tampa this year, scoring 51 runs. In 28 games with Trenton, Guillen hit .257 (28-for-109) with two homers and eight RBIs.

Two pitchers from the Yankees' system are also honing their skills in the Dominican: Jorge De Paula and Elvys Quezada.

After having a successful winter ball showing, going 1-1 with a 3.29 ERA in seven appearances for Escogido, striking out 21 and walking six in 17 1/3 innings pitched, DePaula was roughed up in the playoffs.

In two postseason appearances spanning seven innings, DePaula allowed nine runs (eight earned) and 13 hits for a 10.29 ERA. The right-hander came back last year from Tommy John surgery to pitch 25 games in the Minors and three with the Yankees.

De Paula was 4-2 with a 4.58 ERA in 21 games (20 starts) with Columbus. He struck out 90 batters in 116 innings. In his three relief appearances with the Yankees, De Paula posted an 8.10 ERA in 6 2/3 innings.

Quezada appeared in four regular-season games for Las Aguilas, posting a 2.84 ERA in 6 1/3 innings, and has not pitched in the playoffs. Quezada has allowed nine hits and two walks, striking out five.

In 19 games (four starts) with Class A Tampa, Quezada went 4-1 with one save and a 5.94 ERA. Quezada also pitched 16 games (one start) for Class A Charleston, going 1-1 with a 1.95 ERA. In 79 1/3 innings for the two teams, Quezada struck out 87 batters.

Bryan Hoch is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[LilJeter]

Hughes (as I said earlier), lived right by me and I saw him pitch in high school a lot. One day a couple of scouts were radaring him, and he hit 97. Is that fast or is that fast? anywayz, he is throwing hard... but having trouble developing other pitches. The yankees want him to throw a change, curve, and keep his fastball. This is from his parents info ^.^

[Mattingly]

Speaking of Hughes:

BABY ROCKET DRAWS RAVES FROM GIAMBI (http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/62364.htm)
February 24, 2006 -- TAMPA — Jason Giambi compared him to a Hall of Famer after seeing Phillip Hughes throw batting practice for eight minutes yesterday at Legends Field.
"He reminds me of Roger Clemens; that fastball is late," Giambi said after being one of four Yankees to face the 6-foot-5, 220-pound, 19-year-old right-hander. "I don't care what the radar gun says. He's got good stuff."

Hughes, the No. 1 pick two years ago, was startled to hear what Giambi had to say.

"That's quite a compliment," Hughes said. "[Clemens] has far more quality big-league years...
I wouldn't mind seeing this guy in spring training. Even if he doesn't make the squad, you can never have enough pitching. A stud rook will always be welcome.

[DoubleX]

He's only 19 and the consensus about him is that he's a stud in the making. Many comparisons have been made to Mark Prior, but of course that also the injury connotations (and I think Hughes did have troubles last year). The Yanks would be best served bringing him along slowly and not overworking him. Like I said, he's only 19, so there's plenty of time to develop him. Nevertheless, if he's dominating AA and AAA this year like he did A and AA last year, I would very much like to see the Yanks give him a shot during the season if some starters go down.

[Mattingly]

He's only 19 and the consensus about him is that he's a stud in the making. Many comparisons have been made to Mark Prior, but of course that also the injury connotations (and I think Hughes did have troubles last year). The Yanks would be best served bringing him along slowly and not overworking him. Like I said, he's only 19, so there's plenty of time to develop him. Nevertheless, if he's dominating AA and AAA this year like he did A and AA last year, I would very much like to see the Yanks give him a shot during the season if some starters go down.
I figure that Sturtze will make a few starts to fill in where needed.

Also, we've got guys like Wang and Small who could go to either the pen or the rotation. Don't forget, Al Leiter can do both also.

I think that the luxury of having swing guys should never be underestimated in the real world. With injury risks like Moose and Unit, we could never have enough of those.

I remember a few Octobers ago, we had both Pettitte and El Duque, and while Andy was healthier, El Duque was there "just in case". Right now, instead of having guys pitch when not at their best, we can take a few guys out of the pen.

5-man rotations are nice, but you'll always need a few guys who can go long for you in a game.

By all this, I'd say that if Hughes works out well in AAA, he could sip a few cups of Joe in September.

[Dasperp]

John Sickels just released his top 20 list for the Yankees on his website minorleagueball.com. Phil Hughes is rated as a B+, but Sickels said a full, healthy season next year will get him bumped up to an A- or A, he just wants to see him stay healthy for a full year. Tabata is also a B+, which is a damn good ranking for a 17 year old who just played his first professional season. Duncan was dropped to a B-, and Melky isn't even on the list, as Sickels thinks he just can't hit. Overall, the consensus seems to be that the system still sucks at the upper levels, but there's some high-ceiling talent at the low levels like Hughes, Tabata, Garcia, and Jackson.

[Mattingly]

With Derek, Alex, Bernie and Johnny at the WBC, the kids get a great shot! :D

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/images/2006/03/05/3ZJXgpxt.jpg
Yankees shortstop prospect Ramiro Pena makes
a throw to third after a diving stop against
Andy Phillips in an intersquad scrimmage this
spring. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)

Missing starters give kids action
Pena, Vechionacci seeing time at shortstop, third base (http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060305&content_id=1335940&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy)
[center]* * *

"That's the upside," said manager Joe Torre. "It's an upside for these guys, because they're in big-league camp and actually getting at-bats and playing games. It can do nothing but help them."

With Jeter and A-Rod gone, two of the youngsters getting a look are shortstop Ramiro Pena and third baseman Marcos Vechionacci.

"These guys are worth keeping an eye on," Torre said. "Pena has some special tools. I think he's going to be a special player. ... Vechionacci knows how to play, too. You can see that."

Kevin Thompson and Melky Cabrera will also get some playing time in center field with Damon playing for Team USA.

[Mattingly]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/images/2006/03/05/BBtW6VAL.jpg
Reliever J.B. Cox was selected with the 63rd
pick in the 2005 First-Year Players Draft.
(Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Cox aiming to be Mo's heir apparent
Former Longhorns closer hopes to hook 'em early like Street (http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060305&content_id=1336350&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy)
TAMPA, Fla. -- When Huston Street left the University of Texas, he left very big shoes for J.B. Cox to fill.

All Cox did to replace his predecessor was set the College World Series record with nine saves, post a 2.52 ERA in the event and tie the school's single-season saves record.

Cox is now pitching in the Yankees' Minor League system, and some are projecting him as the eventual replacement for all-world closer Mariano Rivera.

And he thought Street's shoes were big.

The 21-year-old right-hander won't be counted on to take over for Rivera for at least a year or two -- if ever, that is -- but the mere idea of it seems so unreal to Cox, he seems uncomfortable even talking about it.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Cabrera will not be useful we already have 2 backup outfielders (williams and crosby) their was also a closer from AA whose name I can`t remember that looked very good and if farnsworth does not work out then he might be useful but Eric Duncan will be very important if he can adapt to 1st base better than most people believe since Jason Giambi is not a very good fielder

[DoubleX]

I'm thinking Kevin Thompson has a decent chance to make the team out of camp, at least by Yankee standards for farmhands are concerned. He's received a lot of action this spring and he's come through, plus he has very good speed. The Yankees will probably only carry 11 pitchers out of camp due to the injuries to Pavano and Small (and maybe Wright too), so Thompson could make it. The biggest hurdle will probably be Will Nieves. I'd like to see Nieves make the team as the backup catcher, but I don't believe in carrying three catchers. But Nieves is out of options so he might be given a shot out a camp.

[Mariano_Rivera]

I really think it would be nice if Ron Villone could regain his form at least to a degree because the media would not effect him (as some of you have noticed by now I am obsessed with the media's impact on the teams

[Mattingly]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/images/2005/07/30/NtcEuwIG.jpg
Koyie Hill was claimed off waivers from
the Arizona Diamondbacks today.
(Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

Yankees claim C Koyie Hill off waivers from Arizona Diamondbacks (http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060406&content_id=1387048&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy)

he New York Yankees announced today that they have claimed catcher Koyie Hill off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. With Tuesday's (4/4) outright of RHP Jorge DePaula to Triple-A Columbus, the Yankees' 40-man roster now stands at 40. A corresponding 25-man roster move will be made when Hill reports to the team in Anaheim.

Hill, 27, started 23 games at catcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005, batting .224 (17-for-76) with five doubles and six RBI as a starter. He has appeared in 50 Major League games with the Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers and owns a .231 career batting average (27-for-117) with one home run and 12 RBI. He was acquired by the Diamondbacks from the Dodgers with LHP Bill Murphy and OF Reggie Abercrombie in exchange for OF Steve Finley and C Brent Mayne on July 31, 2004. Originally drafted by the Dodgers in 2000, Hill was designated for assignment by Arizona on April 2.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[Mattingly]

http://minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2006/04/30/M4ETUKgN.jpg
Philip Hughes is Baseball America's top-ranked
prospect in the Yankees organization.
(Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Yanks promote Hughes to Trenton
Top prospect slated to make Eastern League debut Thursday (http://minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060430&content_id=65883&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp)
Former New York Yankees first-round draft pick Philip Hughes was promoted Sunday to the Double-A Trenton Thunder.

Hughes is slated to make his Eastern League debut on Thursday, when the Thunder host the Reading Phillies. The 19-year-old right-hander was 2-3 with a 1.80 ERA in five starts for Tampa in the Class A Advanced Florida State League.

Hughes allowed just 19 hits and two walks in 30 innings, striking out 30. FSL opponents batted just .187 against the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Georgia native. In his last outing on Friday, he gave up two runs on four hits over seven innings with a walk and six strikeouts in a 3-1 defeat to Dunedin.

The Yankees made Hughes the 23rd overall pick in the 2004 draft out of Foothill High School. A year later, in his first full professional season, he went 9-1 with a 2.19 ERA in 12 starts for Charleston of the South Atlantic League. The Yanks promoted him to Tampa, where he was 2-0 with a 3.06 ERA in five games (four starts).

Baseball America tabbed Hughes as the Yankees' No. 1 prospect entering the 2006 season. He attended his first Major League Spring Training earlier this year and went 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in two games before he was reassigned.

[farmsystem]

I was looking at the Yankees minor league page and saw some interesting stats. First, Eric Duncan's numbers are horrible and he's put up unimpressive numbers up to now. Outside of Hughes the Yankees don't seem to have much in terms of good young starters. Rasner seems to be the only other good starter. Matt Smith seems like a decent lefty but Henn seems to have regressed.

[DoubleX]

I posted this in the Season thread, but why isn't Colter Bean on the big league roster yet? I don't understand why teams keep giving Scott Erickson a chance, the guy was done 6 or 7 seasons ago. Bean is tearing up AAA, he's earned his shot with the big league club.

I also think that Kevin Thompson should have been called up instead of Kevin Reese, since he has more upside, more speed, and more power, and could turn into a pleasant surprise. Whereas Reese is likely an end of the bench filler at best.

Eric Duncan is struggling mightily. At this point, he'd probably be better served by going to AA and getting his bearings there. He's still young enough that this does not have to be a major set back if handled properly.

[TonyStarks]

I posted this in the Season thread, but why isn't Colter Bean on the big league roster yet? I don't understand why teams keep giving Scott Erickson a chance, the guy was done 6 or 7 seasons ago. Bean is tearing up AAA, he's earned his shot with the big league club.

I also think that Kevin Thompson should have been called up instead of Kevin Reese, since he has more upside, more speed, and more power, and could turn into a pleasant surprise. Whereas Reese is likely an end of the bench filler at best.

Eric Duncan is struggling mightily. At this point, he'd probably be better served by going to AA and getting his bearings there. He's still young enough that this does not have to be a major set back if handled properly.

Amen! Why the hell are the Yanks rushing Duncan?
Let him take his licks in AA. He didn't have a good season @ AA last year, so why the hell did they promote him? He should have begun @ AA this season and hopefully he could have followed up his great Fall numbers here and build on that.

As for Colter and Thompson, I asked the same questions in another thread.
Why? Why do the Yanks and other teams waste their time with guys like Erickson and Cairo? Give a younger player a shot and you could be plesantly surprised. I don't understand the logic.


Colter Bean:
21.2 Innings ::: 2-0 Record ::: 12 Hits Allowed ::: 6 BBs ::: 26 Ks ::: 0.42 ERA ::: 0.99 WHP

Bean had a 3.01 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 71 2/3 IP for Triple-A Columbus last season.

[DoubleX]

Amen! Why the hell are the Yanks rushing Duncan?
Let him take his licks in AA. He didn't have a good season @ AA last year, so why the hell did they promote him? He should have begun @ AA this season and hopefully he could have followed up his great Fall numbers here and build on that.

Duncan tore up the Fall league last year, I think he won the league's MVP, so that might have to do with his acceleration to AAA, but you're right, he needs to master AA first.

[TonyStarks]

Duncan tore up the Fall league last year, I think he won the league's MVP, so that might have to do with his acceleration to AAA, but you're right, he needs to master AA first.

Yanks are gonna ruin him.
Also is he back to playing 3B now that Pena has moved into Colombus?
I think he may have had to move to 3B again so Pena could slide into 1B.

[DoubleX]

Yanks are gonna ruin him.
Also is he back to playing 3B now that Pena has moved into Colombus?
I think he may have had to move to 3B again so Pena could slide into 1B.

I don't know where he's been playing, but it would seem logical to have him stay at 1B since Rodriguez will be blocking that path for the foreseeable future.

[TonyStarks]

I don't know where he's been playing, but it would seem logical to have him stay at 1B since Rodriguez will be blocking that path for the foreseeable future.

That does sound logical, but don't the Yanks want Pena's glove @ 1B as a backup for Giambi for now? I thought that's why they picked him up.

[DoubleX]

That does sound logical, but don't the Yanks want Pena's glove @ 1B as a backup for Giambi for now? I thought that's why they picked him up.

Indeed, that's why the perfect answer is to send Duncan down to AA Trenton where he can play 1B full time and get up to speed on that level before tackling AAA.

[mikesty]

*SIGH* Yankee management makes me cringe AGAIN :(

1. Send down Erickson for Bean and/or Matt Smith

2. Send down Reese for Thompson. I think this will actually happen soon if Crosby has some sort of injury and they conclude thar Reese sucks. BERNIE won't be able to take it anymore - B. Williams should NOT be our everyday outfielder.

3. Give him a few weeks, but if Andy Philips can't break the damn Mendoza line, then send him back to AAA for Pena.. or just get Giambi back at first already. As another poster said, I'd rather have Giambino's stopping and catching ability than Philips throwing/playmaking ability.

[DoubleX]

Looks like Bubba Crosby may be headed to the DL, same with Shawn Chacon, who will at the very least, likely be missing Sunday's start. Here's a NY Daily News Article. (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/419104p-353939c.html)

Anyone know who will be replacing Chacon on Sunday? I'd like to see Proctor be given a shot. Hopefully Torre will not go with Erickson.

[TonyStarks]

Looks like Bubba Crosby may be headed to the DL, same with Shawn Chacon, who will at the very least, likely be missing Sunday's start. Here's a NY Daily News Article. (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/419104p-353939c.html)

Anyone know who will be replacing Chacon on Sunday? I'd like to see Proctor be given a shot. Hopefully Torre will not go with Erickson.

I think Small may get the start on Sunday unless Torre has a brilliant idea and tells us that Erickson's gonna start. :laugh

[Mattingly]

3-zip so far, and those hits just keep on comin'!
I think Small may get the start on Sunday unless Torre has a brilliant idea and tells us that Erickson's gonna start. :laugh
If all else fails, I'll find my way and do a little warmup this weekend. Who said I'm only good for the online stuff? :D

[TonyStarks]

3-zip so far, and those hits just keep on comin'!

If all else fails, I'll find my way and do a little warmup this weekend. Who said I'm only good for the online stuff? :D


Oh well...so much for that....3 Innings / 5 Runs! LOL :crazy
Retire already!!!

[callingit]

I saw Trenton play on Sunday. the future is not very bright. Phillip Hughes has been struggling and Trenton's best hitter is Shelly Duncan, a big first baseman who's batting about .240 with 10 homers. He went 3 for 5 Sunday with a homer, double and single (just missed a second homer-a little out in front), but he's already 27 and still in double-A.

Shawn Chacon started in his rehab assignment, went five not so impressive innings considering who he was pitching against, then left with a 5-3 lead. The bullpen promptly gave up the lead in the top of the sixth and lost the game in the ninth.

:hp

[TonyStarks]

Hughes has been struggling but remember, he's 19YO.
He did well during Spring Training and I expect good things out of him.

As for Duncan, I keep saying this. They have to send him back to AA before he loses all confidence and is ruined.

Shelly Duncan is not a very good player.
He doesn't make enough contact but when he does...My my my.
He's like a Rob Deer.

[callingit]

Rob Deer is a very good comparison. BTW, Eric Duncan was sent down to Trenton on Thursday.

[TonyStarks]

Rob Deer is a very good comparison. BTW, Eric Duncan was sent down to Trenton on Thursday.

That's good news. I just hope that Eric hasn't been ruined and knows this isn't a "demotion" per se....just a touch up refresher course.

[Mattingly]

Someone on another board said he was a year or two away. At least he's doing well in Trenton.

Hughes flirts with no-hitter (http://www.nj.com/thunder/times/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1150268804198090.xml&coll=5)
TRENTON --Sometimes it's the veterans who lead a ball club, and then some days, the kids take over.

Like pitching phenom Philip Hughes.

The young Trenton pitcher was the story last night at Waterfront Park. In just his ninth Double-A start, the 19-year-old right-hander pitched seven one-hit shutout in nings, striking out eight, as the Thunder blanked the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 3-0. The Fisher Cats pulled off a triple play half- way through the game, but it wasn't enough to overcome Hughes.

Trenton drew first blood in the bottom of the fifth when Eric Dun can drew a lead-off walk, Justin Christian singled and Kevin Howard drove Duncan home. However, the Thunder were taken out of a big inning when catcher Omir San tos grounded to Fisher Cats third baseman Brad Hassey, playing close to the bag. Hassey was able to step on third and force Howard at second. The relay to first easily beat the slow-moving Santos. It was the first triple play involving the Thunder since July 1, 2002.

THUNDER 3 NEW HAMPSHIRE 0 Meanwhile, Hughes took a no-hitter into the top of the sixth before allowing a one- out double down the left field line by the Fisher Cats' Justin Singleton (son of Yankees announcer Ken Singleton). The home crowd of 4,923 gave Hughes a nice hand, but the youngster, temporarily rattled, walked the next batter. Second baseman Gabe Lopez saved him with a nice snare of a pop-up in short center field, and Hughes struck out the next batter.

[Mattingly]

Hopefully, we'll be able to see this guy in 2007. I wouldn't mind one bit. :)

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/06/26/sports/hughes190.jpg
Tom Mihalek for The New York Times
The Trenton Thunder's Phil
Hughes gave up one hit over
eight innings in a victory on
Friday, his last as a teenager.

Barely 20 Years Old, but Coming of Age Fast (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/26/sports/baseball/26hughes.html)
Phil Hughes had no big plans to celebrate the end of his teenage years Friday. He had finished a workday at Waterfront Park in Trenton, and the next day he would be 20 years old. Twenty years old and still a Yankee.

"It was hot tonight," Hughes said outside the clubhouse of the Class AA Trenton Thunder, after pitching eight one-hit innings to beat a team from Norwich, Conn. "I'm pretty gassed. I just want to get in bed."

Then Hughes, the youngest player in the Eastern League and the best prospect in the Yankees' farm system, thought of something else. "I'll probably talk to my mom for a while," he said.

Hughes's parents live in Santa Ana, Calif. He so adores California that he has a tattoo of a swallow on his back as a tribute to his old hometown, San Juan Capistrano, where swallows leave in the fall and return every spring.

Hughes will not be returning soon, at least not permanently. He recently purchased a condominium in Tampa, Fla., the city where Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and George Steinbrenner live. It is where Yankees go for the winter.

[TonyStarks]

On Hughes:

In his last four starts he is 2-1, 0.96 with 33 strikeouts in 28 innings

[DoubleX]

I keep reading that there are all these scouts from other teams watching Hughes every time he pitches. I really, really hope that the Yankees don't do something stupid and trade him, especially for a rental corner OFer like Carlos Lee or Alfonso Soriano. The only player I can rationalize giving Hughes up for is Dontrelle Willis, but I don't see that happening. But even then, I'd rather see Hughes, a potential home grown ace, given a shot to succeed with the team.

[TonyStarks]

I keep reading that there are all these scouts from other teams watching Hughes every time he pitches. I really, really hope that the Yankees don't do something stupid and trade him, especially for a rental corner OFer like Carlos Lee or Alfonso Soriano. The only player I can rationalize giving Hughes up for is Dontrelle Willis, but I don't see that happening. But even then, I'd rather see Hughes, a potential home grown ace, given a shot to succeed with the team.

Actually DX...I really like The D-Train. But unfortunately I just don't see him having the same success in the AL as he does in the NL.

I'm really skeptical of any NL pitcher coming over to the AL.

Also, I really do not want to see Hughes traded. I really want to see him come down to the Bronx one day and excelling.

I too hope that Cashman doesn't make any stupid trades involving him, Cano, or Wang. I really don't see a need for the Yanks going out to get an OFer.
If anything we need another Pitcher...not another bat.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Actually DX...I really like The D-Train. But unfortunately I just don't see him having the same success in the AL as he does in the NL.

I'm really skeptical of any NL pitcher coming over to the AL.

Also, I really do not want to see Hughes traded. I really want to see him come down to the Bronx one day and excelling.

I too hope that Cashman doesn't make any stupid trades involving him, Cano, or Wang. I really don't see a need for the Yanks going out to get an OFer.
If anything we need another Pitcher...not another bat.

I think I read somewhere in Newsday that Cashman has told the Nationals (Soriano) that Hughes is off limits. An outfielder is definitely not nesesary. The combo of Crosby, Cabrera, Williams can be picked up by the rest of the offense but Willis would be reasonable though not preferable.

[Mattingly]

I keep reading that there are all these scouts from other teams watching Hughes every time he pitches. I really, really hope that the Yankees don't do something stupid and trade him, especially for a rental corner OFer like Carlos Lee or Alfonso Soriano. The only player I can rationalize giving Hughes up for is Dontrelle Willis, but I don't see that happening. But even then, I'd rather see Hughes, a potential home grown ace, given a shot to succeed with the team.
To tell you the truth, there's not a single ballplayer I'd trade for Hughes. Not Santana, not Liriano, not Dontrelle, not anybody. Heck, we could've even use Pujols if we somehow snuck him away from the Cards (which is impossible), but not even him. Call me nuts, but call me faithful to the farm.

Eeee-Iiiiiiiii-Eeeeeeeee-Iiiiii-OOOOOOOOOO!

To think that the Yanks have one of the best prospects ever, then the guy gets traded for someone. That's pathetic, especially considering our bad luck with getting farm guys. Not a good likelihood when you win the division for several times straight.

Instead of instant performance being handed to you on a silver platter with these guys, the "win now" side says to get those superstars, but the fan in me says to be patient, watch him struggle, try keeping him off the DL, give him some easy teams like KC or TB, perhaps Pittsburgh or whoever in Interleague, then watch him grow.

If he succeeds, there will indeed be hope for the Yankee farm to produce quality pitchers. With the way Wang pitches, his devotion and dedication to keeping his team in the game, and especially the way he'd thrown his glove in disgust when he was asked to work the 9th after a shaky 8th inning, I'd *LOVE* nothing more than seeing the Yanks grow their own, rather than going about trading guys away.

It'll be a sad day in Yankeeland when a blue chipper everyone's asking for gets sent away. Alfonso Soriano is nice, but not only do I think he's unnecessary, it shouldn't require more than a mid level prospect or two to obtain him, considering his salary.

I still want Cano at 2B, so unless Matsui's not healing quickly, I think that other options should be explored.

[DoubleX]

Actually DX...I really like The D-Train. But unfortunately I just don't see him having the same success in the AL as he does in the NL.

I'm really skeptical of any NL pitcher coming over to the AL.

Also, I really do not want to see Hughes traded. I really want to see him come down to the Bronx one day and excelling.

I too hope that Cashman doesn't make any stupid trades involving him, Cano, or Wang. I really don't see a need for the Yanks going out to get an OFer.
If anything we need another Pitcher...not another bat.

I completely agree with you. I'm just saying that if the Yanks are going to be foolish and give up Hughes for someone, Dontrelle would be the most acceptable given that he is still so young and has so much talent. But like you, I'm skeptical of how his numbers will transfer to the AL. It's usually a rough ride for most pitchers coming over. Look at Josh Beckett, his ERA has ballooned this season (not to toot my own horn too much, but I told Boston fans that would happen). Dolphins Stadium is also a pretty friendly pitchers park, so not having that as him home stadium anymore could hurt his numbers as well.

[DoubleX]

To tell you the truth, there's not a single ballplayer I'd trade for Hughes. Not Santana, not Liriano, not Dontrelle, not anybody. Heck, we could've even use Pujols if we somehow snuck him away from the Cards (which is impossible), but not even him. Call me nuts, but call me faithful to the farm.

I think I'd probably trade Hughes in a heartbeat for Pujols. I'd probably do it for Liriano as well (I'm still kicking myself for not taking him in a fantasy league). I'd also have to think long and hard about the Santana deal. For some reason, I'd be worried about Santana's arm and it's ability to hold up over the longrun. Then again, Pedro's still going and most thought he'd be done by now, so I'd probably make the trade of Santana. Hughes has potential, but we know Santana is just about the best pitcher in the league, and he's still pretty young. But for Pujols, I'd trade Hughes in a second. Pujols is a tremendous talent.

[Mariano_Rivera]

I think I'd probably trade Hughes in a heartbeat for Pujols. I'd probably do it for Liriano as well (I'm still kicking myself for not taking him in a fantasy league). I'd also have to think long and hard about the Santana deal. For some reason, I'd be worried about Santana's arm and it's ability to hold up over the longrun. Then again, Pedro's still going and most thought he'd be done by now, so I'd probably make the trade of Santana. Hughes has potential, but we know Santana is just about the best pitcher in the league, and he's still pretty young. But for Pujols, I'd trade Hughes in a second. Pujols is a tremendous talent.


Liriano is the only reasonable offers for Highes mentioned. Santana will give you about 10 more years of work highes will give you 20. The Yankees really don`t need a big offensive player or another 1st baseman (though it would be an upgrade)

[DoubleX]

Liriano is the only reasonable offers for Highes mentioned. Santana will give you about 10 more years of work highes will give you 20. The Yankees really don`t need a big offensive player or another 1st baseman (though it would be an upgrade)

Where in the world are you getting 20 years from? So many things happen to pitchers all the time to derail their careers. Look at Mark Prior - he was can't miss and people all over baseball praised his mechanics as so smooth as to not cause him any troubles, but look at all the troubles he's had. Given all the injuries and other things that happen to young pitchers, I'd say that Hughes would be lucky in his career just to have the kind of success that Santana already has had (ERA+s of 148, 151, 182, and 153 over the last four years, that's pretty darn good). Santana is phenomenal and we know what he's phenomenal at the Major League level. Hughes is looking good, but Santana is still a safer bet at this point. He's only 27 too, so there is still plenty of good baseball ahead for Santana.

[Mattingly]

I think I'd probably trade Hughes in a heartbeat for Pujols. I'd probably do it for Liriano as well (I'm still kicking myself for not taking him in a fantasy league). I'd also have to think long and hard about the Santana deal. For some reason, I'd be worried about Santana's arm and it's ability to hold up over the longrun. Then again, Pedro's still going and most thought he'd be done by now, so I'd probably make the trade of Santana. Hughes has potential, but we know Santana is just about the best pitcher in the league, and he's still pretty young. But for Pujols, I'd trade Hughes in a second. Pujols is a tremendous talent.
Yeah, I know it's no contest. In fact, people strongly criticized Yankee fans when we'd longed for Soriano when we'd traded for Alex Rodriguez. Soriano had played professionally in Japan before us, so he's no more from the Yankee farm system than was a player obtained via trade as a minor leaguer.

The heart part of me wants to see Hughes no matter what. If the Cards were in fact drunk as the proverbial sailor and did something like this (I could see images of Babe Ruth's trade here), they'd be out of their minds and would want Cano, Wang and several years of draft picks as compensation.

Still, I want to see Phil Hughes start a game in pinstripes at Yankee Stadium as a Yankee. He's ours, in addition to Wang and Cano, and now Melky, he's our recent claim to fame that the Yankee farm system is not indeed dead upon arrival. I want that and I want it all, baby! :D

[DoubleX]

Yeah, I know it's no contest. In fact, people strongly criticized Yankee fans when we'd longed for Soriano when we'd traded for Alex Rodriguez. Soriano had played professionally in Japan before us, so he's no more from the Yankee farm system than was a player obtained via trade as a minor leaguer.

The heart part of me wants to see Hughes no matter what. If the Cards were in fact drunk as the proverbial sailor and did something like this (I could see images of Babe Ruth's trade here), they'd be out of their minds and would want Cano, Wang and several years of draft picks as compensation.

Still, I want to see Phil Hughes start a game in pinstripes at Yankee Stadium as a Yankee. He's ours, in addition to Wang and Cano, and now Melky, he's our recent claim to fame that the Yankee farm system is not indeed dead upon arrival. I want that and I want it all, baby! :D

With the way Hughes is going, I really wouldn't be surprised to see him given a shot later this year if someone in the rotation goes down. It'll almost definitely be premature, but it will be nice to see him.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Where in the world are you getting 20 years from? So many things happen to pitchers all the time to derail their careers. Look at Mark Prior - he was can't miss and people all over baseball praised his mechanics as so smooth as to not cause him any troubles, but look at all the troubles he's had. Given all the injuries and other things that happen to young pitchers, I'd say that Hughes would be lucky in his career just to have the kind of success that Santana already has had (ERA+s of 148, 151, 182, and 153 over the last four years, that's pretty darn good). Santana is phenomenal and we know what he's phenomenal at the Major League level. Hughes is looking good, but Santana is still a safer bet at this point. He's only 27 too, so there is still plenty of good baseball ahead for Santana.

best case scenario

[Mariano_Rivera]

With the way Hughes is going, I really wouldn't be surprised to see him given a shot later this year if someone in the rotation goes down. It'll almost definitely be premature, but it will be nice to see him.

Cashman ruled him out as pitching this year in an interview on Mike and the Maddog. Small would probably still be the replacement. The good thing about him being in AAA is that he won`t be horrible rusty when he is needed, check out his numbers they're fantastic. 7 IP, ERA below 3.00

[TonyStarks]

Trading Hughes?
For Pujols...that's a no-brainer. But a trade like that can only happen at the comfort of your own computer using Baseball Mogul or Inside the Park. LOL

I think I would part with Hughes for Liriano or Johann.
Of course the Hughes trade would only signal the initial offer and more would have to be offered.

Hughes has plenty of upside and is showing very good promise...but Liriano is already doing "it" at the Big League Level.

[Mattingly]

Trading Hughes?
For Pujols...that's a no-brainer. But a trade like that can only happen at the comfort of your own computer using Baseball Mogul or Inside the Park. LOL

I think I would part with Hughes for Liriano or Johann.
Of course the Hughes trade would only signal the initial offer and more would have to be offered.

Hughes has plenty of upside and is showing very good promise...but Liriano is already doing "it" at the Big League Level.
Well, my love for exagerration has caught up with me, so yes, you could somehow force my hand to sending Hughes away from Albert Pujols if asked nicely. :D ;) :p

Anyway, Liriano is dirt cheap. I wouldn't mind, but I'd still ask if they'd accept another package of players. The thought of both pitching here in 2007 seems a bit too intriguing.

[TonyStarks]

Well, my love for exagerration has caught up with me, so yes, you could somehow force my hand to sending Hughes away from Albert Pujols if asked nicely. :D ;) :p

Anyway, Liriano is dirt cheap. I wouldn't mind, but I'd still ask if they'd accept another package of players. The thought of both pitching here in 2007 seems a bit too intriguing.

Im sure that the Cards would need to twist your arm to take Pujols off their hands. :laugh

[DoubleX]

With Chacon struggling bigtime, Wright unable to go more than 5 IP, and Randy Johnson being inconsistent, I think it's time the Yankees gave Jorge DePaula another shot at the rotation. His minor league numbers are pretty good this year and he seems to be finally recovered from Tommy John surgery.

[Mattingly]

Im sure that the Cards would need to twist your arm to take Pujols off their hands. :laughMe, I'd only take that kinda deal if they threw in Chris Carpenter and Jim Edmonds also. In further news, one of the Yankee Mods here has gone bonkers, and it may not necessarily be XX. :D
With Chacon struggling bigtime, Wright unable to go more than 5 IP, and Randy Johnson being inconsistent, I think it's time the Yankees gave Jorge DePaula another shot at the rotation. His minor league numbers are pretty good this year and he seems to be finally recovered from Tommy John surgery.
Someone mentioned that Steve White may be ready to go. Right now, we cannot compete with this type of rotation. If all we can get is 2-4 innings, we could just as easily put Farnsworth into our rotation for the same results.

Right now, whether debated or not, Moose, Wang and Johnson must be feeling some pressure to perform and eat innings.

[TonyStarks]

I think it's time to send Chacon back to the bullpen and pitching in Mop ups or 6th innings until he can regain his form.

Jaret Wright...can do the same.

I'd give Kris Wilson a shot or two to earn a spot. He's having a good season down @ AAA.

I also wouldn't mind seeing JB Cox up. Since he's supposed to be the Heir to Mo...it'd be a good time to give him some innings.

[TonyStarks]

Has anyone noticed Brett Gardner?


Also.....When the hell is J.Brent Cox due for a visit to NY?
57.1 Innings
1.57 ERA
5 - 2 WL
0.96 WHIP
7.2 Ks/9

[Mariano_Rivera]

Kevin Reese is out for the season

[DoubleX]

Kevin Reese is out for the season

Really? What's his injury? At his age (28) and depending on his injury, this could mark the end of his career. I hope he's able to recover and battle back.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Really? What's his injury? At his age (28) and depending on his injury, this could mark the end of his career. I hope he's able to recover and battle back.

I think shoulder.

[sandlot]

At this point, I can't see a trade in the real world that makes any sense whatsoever. None. The team is in second, well in contention, and major talent is on the mend. Wright's been told by Guidry to throw his best stuff for six innings and let the other guys work, and that's just what he's doing lately, with pretty good results. Mussina is just terrific, Wang also. Johnson still eats up innings most of the time and is showing flashes of himself, and could have a good second half. What can you say about Mo? There are potentialy good arms in rehab and patiently working their way back. The offense has clubbed Chicago for 20 runs in two games, and actually bunted three consecutive times in a single inning. Can anyone with the records please tell us the last time any Yankee team did that? I nearly fainted.

The discipline and restraint being shown is admirable; let's hope it stays that way. If Cashman folds his cards and walks away from the table before the deadline, I'm totally behind him. This team and organization already has all it needs to win.

[TonyStarks]

ARod pulls out the whippin stick!!

3-1 Yanks!
Are Yanks gonna open the closet and bring out the brooms against the ChiSox?

ARod's march to 2000 is now.....T-Minus 5!!

[mikesty]

Hey! I think Bronson Sardinha got promoted to AAA. It looks like he went 1/4 in his first game. Congrats? Good news???

[Mariano_Rivera]

congrats to him.

[TonyStarks]

What were his numbers in AA?

And what's his position currently? Last I knew he played 3B, OF too.
I could have also sworn he was a catcher.

[Mariano_Rivera]

What were his numbers in AA?

And what's his position currently? Last I knew he played 3B, OF too.
I could have also sworn he was a catcher.

No idea. I only keep tabs on AAA pitchers with a few exceptions.

[TonyStarks]

Last Game: 5.0 3 0 0 1 9 2.57 - W (6-3)

5 Innings, 3 Hits, 1 BB, 9 K's.
Yanks have limited Hughes to only 5Innings per game, Max.

__

Duncan, Eric 1B ............ 4 1 3 2 .276 - HR (6)
3 for 4.

AVG seems to be going up.
Seems like the demotion did him some good.

[DoubleX]

Cashman, call up Jorge DePaula and give him a shot at the rotation!!!

[TonyStarks]

Got numbers for him??

[DoubleX]

Got numbers for him??

3-5, 2.70 ERA, 70 IP, 11 GS, 12 G, 35 K, 12 BB, 3 HR, .257 BAA.

The strikeout totals are uninspiring, but everything else looks pretty decent.

[TonyStarks]

3-5, 2.70 ERA, 70 IP, 11 GS, 12 G, 35 K, 12 BB, 3 HR, .257 BAA.

The strikeout totals are uninspiring, but everything else looks pretty decent.


Not to bad.
I'm all for giving him an honest shot over Chacon at this point.

[mikesty]

20 questions with Yankee outfield prospect Jose Tabata:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060725&content_id=109918&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

Jose Tabata is an 18-year-old outfield prospect in the Yankees organization. Signed by the Bronx Bombers in 2005 out of Venezuela, Tabata was ranked by Baseball America as the third-best prospect in the Yanks' farm system, behind only Phil Hughes and Eric Duncan. Last year, Tabata played for the Gulf Coast Yankees, hitting .314 with 22 steals in 44 games. This season, he is playing for the Charleston RiverDogs of the South Atlantic League, where he is hitting .303 with 95 hits and 15 steals in 84 games.

MiLB.com: You grew up in Venezuela. How old were you when you started playing baseball?

Jose Tabata: I was 5. We had leagues there just like Little League, so I started as soon as I was old enough.

MiLB.com: So at what point did you decide professional baseball was something you'd like to pursue?

JT: When I was about 15. I played in the league then and decided I wanted to look into the pros. The first time I came here was for baseball, so it was nice to come to a new place.

MiLB.com: How were you "discovered" by the Yankees, the team you signed with?

JT: I was seen by a scout who was down in Venezuela. He talked with me and my family and things went from there. The day I signed my contract my parents were the happiest people in the world.

MiLB.com: You were 17 when you signed and came to America for the first time. Did you heave any fears or doubts about coming to a new country by yourself?

JT: No, there were no nerves. My parents and I were just happy I was going to do what I wanted to do.

MiLB.com: What was one of the first things you did when you got here?

JT: I went to my hotel and hung out until it was time to meet my new teammates.

MiLB.com: How was the reception you received from your new teammates?

JT: It was nice. I couldn't speak any English back then, even now it's very limited, but they were all really nice and friendly.

MiLB.com: What was your friends' and family's reaction when you came home after your first season in the Minors?

JT: I'm one of the youngest people to travel out of Venezuela for something like this so there were a lot of surprise parties (laughs).

MiLB.com: Was the transition from Venezuelan life to American life difficult?

JT: Everyone said it would be hard to get used to but it wasn't, thank God. I just focused on baseball because that's what I was here for and that made it easier.

MiLB.com: Were you exposed to Major League Baseball while growing up in Venezuela?

JT: There were games on TV. I grew up loving Manny Ramirez.

MiLB.com: Your childhood hero was Manny and now you're a part of the Yankees, how does that feel?

JT: (Laughs) It's weird because I love Manny Ramirez, but I knew that if I played it would only be for the New York Yankees. I wouldn't even consider it.

MiLB.com: What advice are you giving to young guys -- here or in Venezuela -- trying to break into pro baseball?

JT: Keep the big picture in mind. Stay focused on your goals and always keep the big picture in your mind.

MiLB.com: What are you doing when you aren't playing baseball?

JT: I love playing basketball as much as baseball. If I was taller maybe I'd be in the NBA right now (laughs).

MiLB.com: What were some differences you noticed between American baseball and Venezuelan baseball?

JT: Over there I knew the players and was more comfortable with them. Here it's not as predictable, so it's harder to figure some things out, but the game itself is the same.

MiLB.com: What's the best part about playing here?

JT: The most important thing to me is being a team player. I'm not caught up with doing well all by myself; I have that team-mentality.

MiLB.com: Do you shy away from being in the public eye, or do you enjoy it?

JT: Oddly enough, although my English isn't that good, I like speaking in public. I enjoy being around fans or young children and getting to know people.

MiLB.com: What do you miss the most about home?

JT: My family. Being away from them is the toughest thing. They've never been here to visit me, but maybe someday when I'm in the big leagues. My mom's cooking, too.

MiLB.com: What's your favorite Minor League ballpark to play in?

JT: It's hard to pick a favorite when I've never seen anything like any of these nice parks in Venezuela. They're all so nice, nothing like at home.

MiLB.com: What big-league ballpark would you play in if you had the choice?

JT: Yankee Stadium, as a Yankee.

MiLB.com: So you mentioned you missed your mom's cooking, has there been any one American dish that's served a substitute?

JT: I love fast food. All of it, I don't have one place I always go to, but just all the fast-food places are great.

MiLB.com: Do you find yourself taking things you've learned playing here back home with you?

JT: I'm learning a lot of new tendencies here, but I usually go with what I grew up with. I don't think that'll ever change.

[TonyStarks]

I'm just posting some Updates on the Gems of the Farm:

Jose Tabata: 18YO - OF - R/R

05: 44 Games .314 AVG / 3 HR / 25 RBI 22:28 Steals
(All-Star) .382 OBP: .417 SLG : .799 OPS


06: 84 Games .303 / 5 HR / 51 RBI / 15:20 Steals
(Futures All Star) .383 OBP / .427 SLG / .809 OPS


_______________


Phillip Hughes: 20 - SP - R/R
06:
High A: 2-3 / 1.80 ERA / 30Inn / 30Ks / 2BB / 19 Hits Allowed / 6 ER
AA : 6-3 / 2.85 ERA / 82 Inn / 90K / 25 BB / 61 Hits / 26 ER
(Futures All Star)


_____

Eric Duncan: 22 - 1B/3B - L/R
06: AA: 43G .286 AVG / 10 HR / 26 RBI / 23BB/ 19K/ .383 OBP / .584 SLG / .968 OPS

[TonyStarks]

One of the premiere pitching matchups across the minors took place at Double-A Reading on Wednesday, as Phillies lefthander Gio Gonzalez went up against Yankees righthander Philip Hughes.

Gonzalez wound up on the winning side, as the Phillies downed Trenton 5-1, but Hughes was solid, allowing just two hits over five shutout innings and striking out eight.

"You can see why the Yankees didn't want to part with him in any kind of trade," Reading pitching coach Tom Filer said. "I saw him when he first got here (to Double-A) and he was just OK. But he was on a different level last night."

Hughes, the Yankees' first-rounder in 2004, hasn't lost since June 8--and has racked up 71 strikeouts in 51 innings since that outing. Since being promoted to the Eastern League, Hughes is now 6-3, 2.67 with a 106-28 strikeout ratio over 91 innings.

"He's on a hot streak right now and you could see it," Filer said. "He's got that easy, repeatable delivery and the ball just jumps out of his hand. He was 94 (mph) without even trying and sat at 93-94 all night. He was never in any kind of trouble."

[DoubleX]

I think Hughes has done enough to merit a September callup and some serious consideration for next season.

[TonyStarks]

I think Hughes has done enough to merit a September callup and some serious consideration for next season.


Are you crazy? We just got Lidle and Ponson!!!!

[Mattingly]

Tabata done for the year (http://www.minorleagueball.com/story/2006/8/6/93318/21478)

Tough news for the 17 year old prospect.Earlier in the season (April/May) he was hit on the thumb with a pitched ball and missed some time on the DL. In July at the Futures Game, he was hit on the same thumb in BP (i heard this secondhand but im pretty sure thats the story). He did not go on the DL though, and his line at the time was .321/.395/.454.

After coming back from the Futures game, he went 1-20 with 8 Ks, went back on the DL, came back on Friday, and reinjured the same thumb (now 1-26 with 10 Ks since the futures game). He's being shut down for the year and his final season numbers are .298/.377/.420. I dont think he had anything else to prove in low A ball, and would have been due for a promotion to Tampa if he hadnt gotten hit again (he was hitting almost .400 in his previous 15 games), but i'd rather they be safe with him and not push it.
I think Hughes has done enough to merit a September callup and some serious consideration for next season.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&cid=567

He's only in AA right now. You call him up now, he'd likely get burned up quickly. I'd hate seeing him against Boston.

Heck, when Schilling came off the DL, they didn't put him up against the Yanks. First it was Pawtucket, then some scrub teams.

I think he should be here around June.

[DoubleX]

He's only in AA right now. You call him up now, he'd likely get burned up quickly. I'd hate seeing him against Boston.

Heck, when Schilling came off the DL, they didn't put him up against the Yanks. First it was Pawtucket, then some scrub teams.

I think he should be here around June.

It's not uncommon for players to leap from AA to the Majors, especially just for a September cameo. The team can expand to 40 players, so if it has a stud prospect like Phillips, might as well see how ready he is against ML competition so the team knows for next year and so he can get some experience. Last year, Melky came up from AA.

[Mariano_Rivera]

It's not uncommon for players to leap from AA to the Majors, especially just for a September cameo. The team can expand to 40 players, so if it has a stud prospect like Phillips, might as well see how ready he is against ML competition so the team knows for next year and so he can get some experience. Last year, Melky came up from AA.
Great points, all of them.

[mikesty]

I wonder if they will pull a Melky with Philip Hughes. You know, call him up to MLB, watch him stink, but demote him only to AAA and then call him back up next year and watch him own face :)

[Mariano_Rivera]

I wonder if they will pull a Melky with Philip Hughes. You know, call him up to MLB, watch him stink, but demote him only to AAA and then call him back up next year and watch him own face :)
I wouldn`t mind that :)

[TonyStarks]

I wouldn`t mind that :)

Nah.
I wouldn't want to do anything to mess with Hughes confidence.

If he gets a Sept call up...I'd limit him to 2-3 batters per inning.
So that not too much damage could be done.

[mikesty]

Damage?

Jeez, why coddle him so much? Are we trying to make him into the next Roger Clemens or the next Carl Pavano?

If he still does well they'll probably promote him to AAA, but no doubt he'll get a September 40-man call up. He'll pitch an inning or two of relief every so often. Regardless of getting rocked or not, he should go down to AAA.

I don't think it's as much "damaging" him as it is "humbling" him, if he gets rocked, that is.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Damage?

Jeez, why coddle him so much? Are we trying to make him into the next Roger Clemens or the next Carl Pavano?

If he still does well they'll probably promote him to AAA, but no doubt he'll get a September 40-man call up. He'll pitch an inning or two of relief every so often. Regardless of getting rocked or not, he should go down to AAA.

I don't think it's as much "damaging" him as it is "humbling" him, if he gets rocked, that is.
I agree. We might as well see what we got.

[TonyStarks]

Damage?

Jeez, why coddle him so much? Are we trying to make him into the next Roger Clemens or the next Carl Pavano?

If he still does well they'll probably promote him to AAA, but no doubt he'll get a September 40-man call up. He'll pitch an inning or two of relief every so often. Regardless of getting rocked or not, he should go down to AAA.

I don't think it's as much "damaging" him as it is "humbling" him, if he gets rocked, that is.

You baby sit the kid because you don't want him to be the next Rick Ankiel.
Once a pitcher loses his confidence he might as well pack his bags and get the hell out of dodge. Especially in the Bronx!

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

Here is a nice article about Hughes. I found it on Yankees.com.

After striking out eight batters in just four innings on a recent summer night, the Yankees' most talented, most hyped and above all, most mature prospect since a pitcher named Andy Pettitte, emerged from the clubhouse for interviews.
He wore an oversized, floppy Trenton Thunder hat held on by a rubber band strapped under his chin.

Meet Philip Hughes, the power pitching prospect who had the Yankees uncharacteristically thinking about more than this season's playoffs when making deals at this year's trade deadline.

He may seem like a veteran, but Hughes unintentionally reminded reporters that he did just turn 20 a little more than a month ago. Judging by the buzz surrounding him, or the way he has pitched, one couldn't otherwise tell he's only in Double-A.

It appears that's where Hughes will be for the rest of the season. One thing is now known, Hughes won't in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., or Milwaukee, despite swirling rumors that had him involved in several trade talks.

The understanding was that the Yankees could have had anybody on the trade market if Hughes was involved in the deal. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman passed until Hughes was out of it.

Hughes was too good to give up, and Cashman was willing to hold out to protect him.

"The Phillies got prospects in this deal, but there were certain guys that, at this point in time, I was unwilling to give up," Cashman said after acquiring Bobby Abreu on July 30.

Hughes' Double-A manager, Bill Masse, could then exhale. Even with Hughes all but off the market leading up to the deadline, Masse was still playing the role of a somewhat nervous general manager, although he tried not to show it.

"I wouldn't trade him for anyone in baseball," Masse said. "It would have to be something completely out of this world to trade him."

There has been some talk that the California resident wouldn't mind being part of the Red Sox, his favorite team as a child. Hughes' father grew up in Rhode Island and Hughes would go to games at Fenway Park during the summer.

"People always think I'm secretly rooting for the Red Sox or something," Hughes said with a laugh. "But that's not the case."

If Hughes has his way, he'll be with the Yankees for his entire career. But leading up to the deadline, the first-round draft choice in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft understood that baseball is a business. So he just went out and pitched.

More than his pinpoint low-90s fastball or up-and-coming curveball, it's that calm demeanor that has most impressed his coaches.

"This is a special, special kid," Masse said as if he were saying it for the first time, when in actuality he has repeated it over and over. "If any kid was made to pitch on the big stage it's this kid, just because of his makeup."

Hughes is 6-3 with a 2.67 ERA, and has 106 strikeouts in 91 innings this season at Trenton. Even with the scouts taking aim with their radar guns at Waterfront Park recently, Hughes still put on a show. He allowed one run in four innings while striking out eight and walking just one -- and he couldn't have looked more comfortable doing it.

"It's tough sometimes because there's always a little bit extra pressure on you to do well. But I kind of like it," Hughes said. "I can thrive off that pressure a little bit. If you can't handle the pressure and the high expectations in the Minor Leagues you're not going to do well in Yankee Stadium."

Cashman long ago ruled out the possibility that Hughes would take the Yankee Stadium mound this season. Trenton pitching coach Dave Eiland said Hughes is close to being ready, but he wouldn't recommend a promotion yet.

"Although if he had to, with his sheer ability, he probably could [throw the Majors this year]," Eiland added.

For now, the Yankees are sheltering Hughes' place in the organization and his precious arm. Hughes doesn't pitch more than five innings and usually tosses between 70 and 90 pitches.

Hughes is focusing on improving the command of his curveball and changeup, which Eiland feels is the only thing needed before Hughes is big-league ready. The power pitcher first learned the changeup in Spring Training, when he abandoned his slider.

"I feel like I'm a completely different pitcher than I was in high school," Hughes said.

Masse said he's seen vast improvements even since Hughes has been in Trenton. Still, even back in April during Spring Training, Yankees catcher Jorge Posada said Hughes had the best arm on the staff.

It was then that Jason Giambi compared Hughes to Roger Clemens, something Eiland said he could also see.

Hughes is most-often mentioned in the same sentence as Pettitte, the last Yankees player who had as much hype and composure as Hughes. But Pettitte was older by the time he dominated Double-A, and Masse said Pettitte pitched his way into more attention. Hughes has had it almost from the get-go.

While most coaches hate to make comparisons between players, or projections for how big a star prospects will be, Hughes' Trenton coaches don't seem to mind. They are that confident.

"There's going to be those comparisons, there's no way around it," Eiland said. "Any power-type guy, he's going to be compared to. But he doesn't try to be like anybody else. He just tries to be Phil Hughes."

Although he said it got repetitive, Hughes liked hearing his name on ESPN last month. He didn't shy away from comparisons and he heard all the rumors. He just didn't let it give him a big head -- figuratively.

Hughes literally does have a large head, inches wise. Before the game he was using a special device to stretch his hat out.

The floppy hat he donned afterwards was for comfort. When the cameras were turned off and the radar guns put to rest, Hughes was himself.

"I'm growing out of my old [hat]," Hughes said with a laugh. "I might need to showcase this guy."

He may pitch like Clemens, but Hughes is still a kid. One the Yankees aren't willing to let grow up outside of their home.

[TonyStarks]

Tyler Clippard, rhp, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): After his rough start, Clippard has pitched consistently well for Double-A Trenton, forming an excellent 1-2 punch with Philip Hughes. He's won six straight decisions and has 27 strikeouts in just 19 innings over his last three starts, giving him 146 in 140 innings overall.

[DoubleX]

Tyler Clippard, rhp, Yankees (Double-A Trenton): After his rough start, Clippard has pitched consistently well for Double-A Trenton, forming an excellent 1-2 punch with Philip Hughes. He's won six straight decisions and has 27 strikeouts in just 19 innings over his last three starts, giving him 146 in 140 innings overall.

How old is Clippard (I'm too lazy to go look it up myself right now :))?

[mikesty]

He'll be 22 in february.

[DoubleX]

He'll be 22 in february.

Nice, good to see another young arm with potential in the system. J.B. Cox seems to be doing well in Trenton as well. Who knows, perhaps the Yankees are a couple of years away from infusing a wave of talented youth onto their pitching staff.

[TonyStarks]

Nice, good to see another young arm with potential in the system. J.B. Cox seems to be doing well in Trenton as well. Who knows, perhaps the Yankees are a couple of years away from infusing a wave of talented youth onto their pitching staff.

I really hope that JBC gets a September call up!

[farmsystem]

Speaking of Tyler Clippard. I believe he pitched a no hitter for Trenton yesterday. The link is on minorleaguebaseball.com.

[TonyStarks]

FYI::
Tyler Clippard is 7-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 72 strikeouts in nine starts since June 29

Here is the story:

Tyler Clippard made history on Thursday, tossing the first no-hitter in team history as the Trenton Thunder blanked the Harrisburg Senators, 9-0, at Commerce Bank Park.
Clippard (10-10) struck out nine and walked four on the way to his seventh straight win.

"Surreal, it didn't settle in at first" were the 21-year-old right-hander's thoughts immediately after Richard Lane took a called third strike to end the game. "It is unbelievable, an unforgettable night, something I will always remember.

"You always kind of know you have something special going on, but you don't think it will come to fruition until the later innings. I really started to feel like it may happen when there were two outs in the eighth."

Clippard got some stellar defense to protect the first no-hitter in Trenton's 13-year history. With one out in the seventh inning, first baseman Randy Ruiz made a diving stop of Josh Whitesell's grounder and flipped to Clippard covering first.

The second defensive gem came two innings later, when center fielder Brett Gardner made a sliding catch on Kory Casto's deep fly ball.

Long before Gardner's catch, Clippard thought he had surrendered a homer to Casto in the first. But the ball died on the warning track and was caught. The Florida native said balls were not carrying all night, so he wasn't sure about Casto's blast in the ninth.

"I said, 'Oh, gosh, but I turned and saw (Gardner) had a great jump and was going to track it down, and I knew I may get (the no-hitter)."

Clippard took it from there as he retired Major League veteran Jose Vidro on a grounder to third and completed the gem by getting Lane to look at strike three. On April 11, Lane broke up the no-hit bid of Trenton's Steven White with one out in the eighth inning.

The 6-foot-4 righty has not lost since June 29 and has allowed 14 runs over his last 63 innings with 72 strikeout. He has evened his record after starting the season 2-9.

"I did make some changes to make my delivery more consistent and I also learned to slow the game down and throw my off-speed pitches for strikes, especially with runners on base and then execute those things during the game, which is what I did tonight," Clippard said of his turnaround.

The nine strikeouts against Harrisburg raised Clippard's season total to an Eastern League-leading 155. He needs 13 more to shatter the single-season team record.

Ruiz, who had two hits and scored twice, smacked a one-out double in the first to plate Gardner with the game's first run. The Thunder added two runs in the third as Felix Escalona ripped an RBI single and scored on Justin Christain's groundout.

The Thunder broke the game open with a three-run seventh as Eric Duncan, who had two hits and scored twice, slugged a two-out, two-run triple. He trotted home on Shelley Duncan's base hit.

Jason Brown added a bases-loaded triple in the ninth for Trenton (69-54), which pounded out 12 hits in support of Clippard.

Harrisburg (57-66) starter Justin Echols (5-8) allowed three runs on six hits, struck out seven and walked three over 4 2/3 innings.

Aside from White, highly touted prospect Phil Hughes also flirted with a no-hitter for Trenton on June 23. He held the Connecticut Defenders hitless until Derin McMains led off the eighth with a double.

Justin Duchscherer had come closest to the Thunder's first no-hitter. On May 11, 2001, he held the New Haven Ravens without a hit for 8 2/3 innings.

( http://minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060818&content_id=119640&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp )

[TonyStarks]

Philips Hughes Update:

8-3 w/ 2.50 ERA
101Innings w/121 K's

Remember that Hughes has been put on a STRICT 5 Inning or 90 Pitch LIMIT by Cashman!



---

Bronson Sardinha

32 Games
.313 AVG
.378 OBP
5 HRs/ 22RBI

I like this kid, but he doesn't seem to have a Position.
I've seen him play 1B, 3B, OF.

--

Brett Gardner : CF

I really like what I've seen from this kid. He's 23 and his stock has been rising. I don't have all his numbers readily availble but he did master A+ pitching and has been doing a good job after his promotion.

[DoubleX]

I really hope that JBC gets a September call up!

I don't think that's going to happen. I think I read someplace that he's been added to Team USA for some tournament or something coming up.

[TonyStarks]

I don't think that's going to happen. I think I read someplace that he's been added to Team USA for some tournament or something coming up.


Greaaaaat. :ughh

[TonyStarks]

Baseball America has an article on T.Clippard:


Tyler's Clippard's tale of two seasons reached a climax on Thursday night.

The Yankees righthander threw the first no-hitter in Trenton Thunder history against Harrisburg, striking out nine while walking four.

The Thunder didn't give Clippard many anxious moments in their 9-0 loss. According to the Harrisburg Patriot-News, the only real threat to the no-hitter was Kory Casto's liner in the ninth, which center fielder Brent Gardner snagged on the run near the warning track.

It was just the latest in what has been a string of outstanding starts for Clippard, and quite a turnaround to his season. In his first taste of Double-A, Clippard seemed overmatched at times during the first couple of months of the season. He was 2-9, 5.69 in mid-June.

"Early in the season he'd miss high with his fastball a lot. (Pitching coach) Dave (Eiland) and him have worked on his mechanics to throw his fastball more on a downward plane," Trenton manager Billy Masse said. "He was getting in a lot of 2-0 and 3-1 counts early in the season. With an 88-89 mph fastball, 2-0 and 3-1 fastballs don't cut it."

Clippard now keeps the fastball down. And his newfound confidence to use his offspeed pitches in fastball counts has turned his year around.

"The big key with him is basically these last two months he's been able to throw any pitch at any count for strikes," Masse said. "His breaking ball and his changeup, he's been able to throw for strikes at any count, which has made his fastball that much better."

Clippard has gone 8-1, 1.77 with 99 strikeouts in 82 innings since mid-July. His stuff hasn't really changed over the past two months. He still sits at anywhere from 86-91 mph with his fastball, and he still features an above-average changeup, and a major league curveball, although his command may make the pitch play up a little bit.

"His curveball is a 50 (on the 20-to-80 scouting scale)," Masse said. "He knows how to locate it. When you can throw it for strikes and locate it out of the zone, all of a sudden that becomes a 60 curveball. The only other guy on our staff who can do that is Philip Hughes. The ability to throw it over the plate when he needs to and with more depth out of the zone (when he needs to) makes it an above-average pitch."

When Clippard is on, his biggest strength is his ability to keep hitters guessing. Masse said there have been times this year when he has no idea what Clippard is going to throw next.

"Sometimes he'll throw three fastballs by a guy, and the next time he'll throw three breaking balls down the middle because the guys waiting on a fastball," Masse said.

[Mariano_Rivera]

The Terrific Trio of the Future Yankees!!!!!! (In no order)
____________________________________
Chien Ming Wang

Philip Hughes

Tyler Clippard

:clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping

[mikesty]

Carlos Pena got released by the Yanks and signed by the BoSox .. called up today.

0-1 with a BB so far :D

[TonyStarks]

Carlos Pena got released by the Yanks and signed by the BoSox .. called up today.

0-1 with a BB so far :D

Oakland ruined the guy.

[Mattingly]

http://graphics10.nytimes.com/images/2006/08/26/nyregion/27base.xlarge1.jpg
Robert Stolarik for The New York Times
The Staten Island Yankees ready for action.

Los Muchachos del Verano (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/nyregion/thecity/27base.html)
ON a clear June evening at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark in Staten Island, a young pitcher named Francisco Castillo jogged in from the bullpen, his boyish features set in a businesslike expression. It was the second game of the season, and his team, the Staten Island Yankees, was down two runs in the fourth inning. Mr. Castillo, a 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic who had arrived just four days before, had been summoned to prevent further damage.

Watched by a crowd of about 6,500 — the largest he had ever pitched for — Mr. Castillo approached a ball lying on the mound, reached for it with his glove, missed and had to try again.

If the fumble was the result of nerves, that would have been entirely understandable. Mr. Castillo, a Spanish-speaking kid wearing braces on his teeth, was making his debut on the team, which is an entry-level club in the New York Yankees’ system. An excellent season here would bolster his chances of climbing to a higher rung on the minor-league ladder — and maybe, someday, even to Yankee Stadium, the shrine to baseball in the Bronx. A lackluster season, an injury or an unfavorable assessment from a coach could land him back on the sandlots of Baní, the dirt-poor city in the Dominican Republic where he was born and raised.

Behind him as he pitched in that game in June, the Manhattan skyline, visible across New York Harbor, shimmered in the fading sunlight beyond the outfield fence. The potential distractions were limitless.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Oakland ruined the guy.
Note to the GM's of baseball: Never sign a player that Billy Beane let get away unless it's because he can`t afford him.

[TonyStarks]

Phillip Hughes update:

He's currently Baseball America's Top Prospect on the Hot Sheet this week.

The second Bronx farmhand in as many weeks, so stop it with the Yankee-hater emails already. Hughes tossed five no-hit innings this week, lowering his August ERA to 0.72. Even working on a strict pitch count, Hughes is securing his case as the top pitcher in all the minors.

[TonyStarks]

Tyler Clippard:

Tyler Clippard, rhp, Double-A Trenton (Yankees): Clippard was No. 1 on this list a week ago on the heels of a no-hitter. He had two more solid outings last week (10 innings, three runs) and continues to recover from a disastrous start as he has won his last nine decisions.

[Dev518]

Who's that guy that yankees sined, he's like 6'7" and can throw like 98mph.

[Dev518]

Phillip Hughes update:

He's currently Baseball America's Top Prospect on the Hot Sheet this week.

The second Bronx farmhand in as many weeks, so stop it with the Yankee-hater emails already. Hughes tossed five no-hit innings this week, lowering his August ERA to 0.72. Even working on a strict pitch count, Hughes is securing his case as the top pitcher in all the minors.
He's also on the yankees 40 man roster so I'm hoping that we'll get to see him a few times this year. He only just turned 20 this year so I don't know if they'll actually bring him up.

[Mattingly]

Who's that guy that yankees sined, he's like 6'7" and can throw like 98mph.
Is he in R, A, AA or AAA?

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/minorleagues/team_index.jsp?c_id=nyy

[mikesty]

Is he in R, A, AA or AAA?

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/minorleagues/team_index.jsp?c_id=nyy

MLB, I think he's talking about Kyle Farnsworth.

[Mattingly]

MLB, I think he's talking about Kyle Farnsworth.
Except that Kyle's listed at 6-4, not 6-7. I should've picked up on the 98mph heat.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6210

[mikesty]

I think he was just throwing out numbers .. but when Farnsworth was signed it was...

"Yeah I heard the yanks signed this huge guy who throws almost 100mph."

There's a reason he's called "Big Boy" :)

[TonyStarks]

For a third straight week, a Yankee leads the Hot Sheet--after righthander Tyler Clippard topped the list two weeks ago, Hughes climbed into the No. 1 spot and remains there again this time around. Though he's been limited by a strict pitch count since the all-star break, the 20-year-old has put up ridiculous numbers--the most stellar of which came in August when he finished the regular season 4-0, 0.60 with a 40-6 strikeout-walk ratio in 30 innings. Now, Hughes gets the ball in the opener of Trenton's postseason run tonight, facing Portland righthander Devern Hansack. On the season, Hughes finished 12-6, 2.16 in 146 innings between high Class A Tampa and the Thunder.

[TonyStarks]

With his strong finishing kick, Yankees righthander Philip Hughes has claimed the title as the best pitching prospect in the minor leagues. In a Double-A playoff start Wednesday night, he went six innings, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out 13. He didn’t allow more than two hits in any of his last seven starts, which is impressive even if tight pitch counts kept him from going more than five innings in any outing.

In his last eight starts, including his postseason effort, Hughes has gone 4-0, 0.90 with a 61-8 K-BB ratio, .127 opponent average and no homers allowed in 40 innings. If I were running the Yankees, I’d test him out in September and get him on the postseason roster.

How come Yankees outfielder Jose Tabata is considered a better prospect than Mets outfielder Fernando Martinez? Their numbers seem to be comparable, and Martinez spent a month in high Class A.

Harris Cohen
Brooklyn

I understand Jose Tabata has more of a track record, but he and Fernando Martinez seem to be following similar paths to the majors: signed by New York clubs, same age, same position, same level. Who has the bigger upside, and who is a safer bet to reach that potential?

Randy Arias
New York

Please compare the Jose Tabata and Fernando Martinez, both in present and future tools. Tabata gets more press right now, but who’s better?

Carlo Giustozzi
Limerick, Pa.
Along with Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, Martinez and Tabata were the most exciting players in the low Class A South Atlantic League this summer. That both Martinez and Tabata were just 17 only added to the intrigue surrounding them, and Martinez also was making his pro debut. Martinez hit .333/.389/.505 with five homers, 28 RBIs and seven steals in 45 games, while Tabata batted .298/.377/.420 with five homers, 51 RBIs and 15 steals in 86 contests.

Assistant editor Matt Meyers is working on our SAL Top 20 Prospects list, and he reports that very few scouts actually saw both Martinez and Tabata in action. That’s because Martinez missed a month each with wrist and knee injuries before spending August in the high Class A Florida State League, while Tabata sat out most of the last seven weeks with a bruised thumb. Matt did find one scout who caught both young stars, and he rated Tabata slightly ahead of Martinez because he offers more with the bat. Martinez is more athletic and has a better five-tool package, while Tabata projects as an above-average right fielder, offensively and defensively.

It’s really just a matter of preference, as there’s little to separate the two. Martinez has a little more ceiling, while Tabata is a little safer bet because we have more history to go on. Given my choice, I’d take Tabata, but that’s more of a gut feel based on the line drive he smoked against Philip Hughes in the Futures Game and his slightly longer track record.

[TonyStarks]

Is everyone aware that Torre is bringing Philip Hughes with the team through September and into the playoffs so he could watch fromt he bench?

I don't know if you guys remember the last time something like that happened? Buck Showalter brought two skinny kids along on the bench....Derek Jeter & Jorge Posada.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Is everyone aware that Torre is bringing Philip Hughes with the team through September and into the playoffs so he could watch fromt he bench?

I don't know if you guys remember the last time something like that happened? Buck Showalter brought two skinny kids along on the bench....Derek Jeter & Jorge Posada.
Yeah I am. That sounds great to me.

Who are these two players? Would they happen to be former All Stars?

[TonyStarks]

Yeah I am. That sounds great to me.

Who are these two players? Would they happen to be former All Stars?

The players were Posada and Jeter.
Buck wanted them to feel the Post Season atmosphere.

[DoubleX]

Is everyone aware that Torre is bringing Philip Hughes with the team through September and into the playoffs so he could watch fromt he bench?

I don't know if you guys remember the last time something like that happened? Buck Showalter brought two skinny kids along on the bench....Derek Jeter & Jorge Posada.

Sounds like a good idea. But with a few spots left on the active 40 man roster, would it really hurt to activate Hughes and give him some mopup duty, just to see how far along he is. Even if it's just 1 appearance and for a third of an inning, it's something, and it really couldn't hurt (unless he gets hurt).

[TonyStarks]

Sounds like a good idea. But with a few spots left on the active 40 man roster, would it really hurt to activate Hughes and give him some mopup duty, just to see how far along he is. Even if it's just 1 appearance and for a third of an inning, it's something, and it really couldn't hurt (unless he gets hurt).

Nah, he's not active. Torre just brought him along for the ride.
He's only there to take in the atmosphere and experience the whole Playoff run.

He's not activate and there's not intention on him being on the 40.

[DoubleX]

Nah, he's not active. Torre just brought him along for the ride.
He's only there to take in the atmosphere and experience the whole Playoff run.

He's not activate and there's not intention on him being on the 40.

I know, I'm saying that they should activate him given that they have some spots left. Might as well.

[TonyStarks]

I know, I'm saying that they should activate him given that they have some spots left. Might as well.

I don't know if I would risk that. :laugh
Well...maybe I'll let him face 1 hitter here and maybe there.

[DoubleX]

I don't know if I would risk that. :laugh
Well...maybe I'll let him face 1 hitter here and maybe there.

It really couldn't hurt, unless the rare chance happens that he gets injured throwing 10 pitches. It could happen, and the Yanks would probably really regret using him. But on the other hand, I think the team is being overly cautious with Hughes, and that could be to his detriment down the line. He's not building up stamina, either for games or the season, as they are keeping him to tight pitch counts. You know what you get when a young pitcher doesn't build up enough stamina - you get Josh Beckett and Rich Harden. There are certainly worse fates than that, but I have higher expectations for Hughes and do not want to worry about him being on the DL constantly (like Harden) and then unable to pitch effectively when being used regularly for the whole season (like Beckett this year).

[EvanAparra]

I think he should have been brought up. would have liked to have seen him at least once. :(

[Mariano_Rivera]

I want him to share the LM job this season with R. Johnson. he can get a few starts in September.

[NewYork NewYork]

People have compared Hughes to Peavy, Smoltz, Mussina, Oswalt, Schilling, ande even Clemens. BaseballProspectus' system thought VERY highly of him last year and projected him as most similar to Jake Peavy. With an even more dominating year it should be interesting to see who he's most similar to.

But realistically who do you think Hughes reminds you of, and who do you think he'll be similar to in the MLB?

And I hope to see him up sometime in July if he dominates AAA ball.

[TonyStarks]

I really like this kid....Damon...watch out!!
-----


This is from TopProspectAlert
10-20-06
Prospect of the Day
Brett Gardner

Brett Gardner has made a quick rise through the New York Yankees organization since being drafted in the third round of the 2005 draft.

The speedy centerfielder finished 2006 at Double-A Trenton after a fast start at Single-A Tampa. Gardner batted a combined .298 with no homeruns, 35 RBI's, 87 runs scored, and stole 58 bases.

While he does not possess much power, as a left handed hitter, Gardner uses his wheels to be a table setter for the rest of the lineup. Gardner is off to a good start in Arizona batting over .400 through the first eight games of the AFL season. Expect Gardner to either start the season back at Trenton, or to get a shot at Triple-A Scranton to begin 2007.

[TonyStarks]

Yankees in the TPA 2007 Top 100 Prospect List::::::


#3. Philip Hughes (20) Pitcher -- New York Yankees
Trenton (AA) 116IP 10-3 2.25ERA 138K
Tampa (High-A) 30IP 2-3 1.80ERA 30K



#20. Jose Tabata (18) Outfield -- New York Yankees
Charleston (Low-A) 86 Games .298 5HR 51RBI


#85. Tyler Clippard (22) Pitcher -- New York Yankees
Trenton (AA) 166.1IP 12-10 3.35ERA 175K

[DoubleX]

I really like this kid....Damon...watch out!!
-----


This is from TopProspectAlert
10-20-06
Prospect of the Day
Brett Gardner

Brett Gardner has made a quick rise through the New York Yankees organization since being drafted in the third round of the 2005 draft.

The speedy centerfielder finished 2006 at Double-A Trenton after a fast start at Single-A Tampa. Gardner batted a combined .298 with no homeruns, 35 RBI's, 87 runs scored, and stole 58 bases.

While he does not possess much power, as a left handed hitter, Gardner uses his wheels to be a table setter for the rest of the lineup. Gardner is off to a good start in Arizona batting over .400 through the first eight games of the AFL season. Expect Gardner to either start the season back at Trenton, or to get a shot at Triple-A Scranton to begin 2007.

How old is Gardner?

I'd like to see him develop some power.

[TonyStarks]

How old is Gardner?

I'd like to see him develop some power.


He's 23 right now.
He's an August child.


He just finished 3 yrs of College.
He's got 1.5 years in the Minors.
He was drafted last season in the 3rd Rd.

He quickly went from Lo A to Double ...like that!

[TheK]

He's 23 right now.
He's an August child.


He just finished 3 yrs of College.
He's got 1.5 years in the Minors.
He was drafted last season in the 3rd Rd.

He quickly went from Lo A to Double ...like that!

Would he fit into the Yankees idea of an outfielder? From what I've read on minor league websites, he doesn't have much HR power.

[TonyStarks]

Would he fit into the Yankees idea of an outfielder? From what I've read on minor league websites, he doesn't have much HR power.

He lacks HR Power? He's got speed, he gets on base and he plays a hell of a CF.

He could be a hell of a CFer if you ask me!

[DoubleX]

He lacks HR Power? He's got speed, he gets on base and he plays a hell of a CF.

He could be a hell of a CFer if you ask me!

Abreu's deal ends after next season, so perhaps we could be seeing a 2008 Yankee OF alignment of:

LF: Damon
CF: Gardner
RF: Cabrera
DH: Matsui

[TonyStarks]

Abreu's deal ends after next season, so perhaps we could be seeing a 2008 Yankee OF alignment of:

LF: Damon
CF: Gardner
RF: Cabrera
DH: Matsui


Ohhh...that looks promising!
But wait...because by then Vernon Wells is a FA and you know Yankee fans will be calling for him! :laugh

[DoubleX]

Ohhh...that looks promising!
But wait...because by then Vernon Wells is a FA and you know Yankee fans will be calling for him! :laugh

And then ripping him apart when he doesn't produce like Joe DiMaggio.

[TonyStarks]

And then ripping him apart when he doesn't produce like Joe DiMaggio.

I honestly think this kid is gonna be a good ball player.
He's hungry, he's got the tools (sans the power....so far).

[clipper]

I am surprised not seeing his name on the NY Fall/Winter leagues. (NY Yankee site) Is it to prevent an injury? Is he ready for a "shot" in the rotation this Spring? I really feel he needs to be pitching now and getting ready. I know this is nuts but I really want the Japanese pitcher (I'll take a shot - Matasaka sorry) and Wang as number 2 with Hughes as 5th. Don't you feel he should be pitching Winter ball? I've had it with Pavano (AKA Kevin Brown) and Wright.

Clipper

PS/I would like to try Matsui at first and have Giambi DH because I don't feel we can package him. I don't like giving a team 10M with him to play for another team.

[Mariano_Rivera]

I am surprised not seeing his name on the NY Fall/Winter leagues. (NY Yankee site) Is it to prevent an injury? Is he ready for a "shot" in the rotation this Spring? I really feel he needs to be pitching now and getting ready. I know this is nuts but I really want the Japanese pitcher (I'll take a shot - Matasaka sorry) and Wang as number 2 with Hughes as 5th. Don't you feel he should be pitching Winter ball? I've had it with Pavano (AKA Kevin Brown) and Wright.

Clipper

PS/I would like to try Matsui at first and have Giambi DH because I don't feel we can package him. I don't like giving a team 10M with him to play for another team.
Injury prevention most likely.

I could see a package and I would pay 10 million. Matsui at first would be second best though. After all how hard can it be to be better than Giambi and Matsui is a team player I believe and wouldn`t mind moving for the good of the team.

[Mattingly]

Since they haven't gotten their fill from the Tony Womack trade, the Reds have now signed Yankee immortal (and fan favorite) Bubba Crosby! :D

Reds agree to deal with OF Bubba Crosby (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AkuBLr4TyVTSiDa304fqzTMW0bYF?slug=redscr osby&prov=st&type=lgns)
CINCINNATI (Ticker) - Outfielder Bubba Crosby has not done much on the major league level, but the Cincinnati Reds evidently think he might be productive.

The Reds on Friday agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Crosby, who has struggled with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Crosby, 30, batted just .207 with one home run and six RBI in 65 games with the Yankees this past season, his third with the club.

In 205 career games with the Dodgers and Yankees, Crosby has batted .216 with four homers and 20 RBI.

[DoubleX]

Since they haven't gotten their fill from the Tony Womack trade, the Reds have now signed Yankee immortal (and fan favorite) Bubba Crosby! :D

Reds agree to deal with OF Bubba Crosby (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AkuBLr4TyVTSiDa304fqzTMW0bYF?slug=redscr osby&prov=st&type=lgns)

Hopefully Crosby will get a real shot to contribute with the Reds. He wasn't going to get that with the Yankees, and at this point, I'd rather give some younger prospects a shot should a roster spot develop. Kevin Thompson is at the top of that list for me.

[TonyStarks]

Hopefully Crosby will get a real shot to contribute with the Reds. He wasn't going to get that with the Yankees, and at this point, I'd rather give some younger prospects a shot should a roster spot develop. Kevin Thompson is at the top of that list for me.

I doubt Crosby will get burn out in Cincy.
They have had an over crowded OF for a few years now.
They made some room when they moved Austin to Washington in what had to be the dumbest trade of '06! :laugh

[TonyStarks]

The biggest piece the Yankees get in return is Sanchez, a 2001 31st-round pick signed as a draft-and-follow out of Connors State (Okla.) Junior College. The starter for the World team in this year's Futures Game, Sanchez was born in the Dominican Republic, but grew up in the Bronx, just miles away from Yankee Stadium.

One of the premier pitching prospects in the Tigers' system, Sanchez has power stuff starting with his fastball that regularly tops out at 97 mph. He complements his heater with two hard breaking balls and an above-average changeup. His repertoire was major league ready by midseason, but a tender elbow shut him down after a promotion to Triple-A Toledo.

Sanchez's biggest problem over the last two years has been staying healthy. The 23-year-old worked hard to trim his weight after lat muscle and groin problems hampered him throughout the 2005 season, and he needs to keep his weight down in order to enhance his overall durability.

Sanchez went a combined 10-6, 2.63 while posting a career-high 123 innings between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo in 2006.

The Yankees also add a potential future piece to their bullpen in Whelan, a fourth-round pick out of Texas A&M in 2005. A converted catcher, the 22-year-old righthander already has two plus pitches in his fastball and splitter. The splitter is his best offering, and he shows two different variations of the pitch--one dropping down lower than the other--and it's been clocked as high as 89 mph. His fastball sits in the 92-94 mph with average life.

Though Whelan has above-average stuff, he lacked consistent command of it in 2006 at high Class A Lakeland, where he walked 29 in 51 innings. Part of the high walk total was due to Whelan trying to develop a slider, which is his third pitch.

Claggett, an 11th-round pick out of UC Riverside in 2005, ranked in the top five in the low Class A Midwest League with 51 appearances. He struck out one batter per inning with West Michigan while relying on a 92-94 mph fastball and slider. Both pitches grade as average to just above-average, but they play bigger because of his size and deceptive delivery. The 22-year-old also tinkered with developing a changeup in 2006, though it is still a work in progress.

[DoubleX]

Tony, where did you get that from?

[TonyStarks]

Tony, where did you get that from?


Ahhh...I knew I forgot that when I saw it.

I think it was Baseball Prospectus. Accck, I'm not 100% sure.
But I think it was BP.

[TonyStarks]

Baseball America says:

Humberto Sanchez, who started the 2006 Futures Game for the World team, is one of the better pitching prospects in the upper minors. He's not as good as top Yankees prospect Philip Hughes, but Sanchez is in the next tier. If he's healthy after experiencing elbow problems late in the season, he could contribute in New York in 2007. Kevin Whelan doesn't get a lot of hype, but he could be Mariano Rivera's eventual successor at closer. Anthony Claggett could become a future setup man and is a good value as the third player in the deal.

Detroit has so much young pitching already established in the majors that it could afford to trade three arms like Sanchez, Whelan and Claggett. The Tigers needed to bolster their offense, and Sheffield immediately becomes the most dangerous hitter in their lineup.

Of course, the trade that sent Josh Beckett from the Marlins to the Red Sox looked like it made sense for both sides last November. A year later, Florida looks like it won that deal easily after getting Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, Jesus Delgado and Harvey Garcia.

Humberto Sanchez was traded from the Tigers, whose Top 10 Prospects list hadn't been done by BA yet, to the Yankees, whose Top 10 already had come out. Where would he have ranked on Detroit's Top 10, where will he fit on New York's Top 10 and what's his scouting report?
As I was writing this, Sam Factor (Staten Island, N.Y.) sent in a similar version of this question--proving my clairvoyancy.

Sanchez would have ranked third on our Tigers Top 10, and I think it's obvious that the two guys ahead of him were Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. I haven't talked with John Manuel about where he wants to put Sanchez on the Yankees Top 10 he wrote. I could see him as high as No. 3, behind Hughes and Jose Tabata, but I suspect John will drop him a couple of more notches, after Dellin Betances and Joba Chamberlain.

Here's the report that Jon Paul Morosi wrote on Sanchez:

Born: May 28, 1983. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-6. Wt.: 230. Drafted: Connors State (Okla.) JC, D/F 2001 (31st round). Signed by: Rob Guzik/Buddy Paine (Tigers).

Background: Sanchez went from the Dominican Republic to the Bronx to an Oklahoma junior college to status as one of the Tigers’ top pitching prospects. Not bad for a draft-and-follow from the 31st round, albeit one who turned pro for $1 million. The ascent of Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya left him as the Detroit's best pitching commodity in the minor leagues--at least until the signing of Andrew Miller--but a tender elbow limited him to only one start after mid-July.

Strengths: Sanchez has the power stuff, starting with a 90-94 mph fastball he can dial up to 97 when necessary. He has two breaking balls, including a slider with splitter break, and flashes a quality changeup. His repertoire was big league-ready by the middle of 2006.

Weaknesses: He must become more durable. A rededicated Sanchez worked hard to trim his weight following 2005 season in which he was limited by pulled lat and groin muscles. The results were encouraging, as he had dynamite numbers in Double-A, earned a promotion to Triple-A and was fielding his position better than ever. Then the elbow pain began, resulting in a clunker finish to what had been a very promising season. He finished with 123 innings, which still were a career high. From a stuff standpoint, his changeup needs more consistency.

The Future: Had Sanchez remained healthy, he likely would have earned a September callup. The issue, though, is that he never has lasted beyond 123 innings in a season. Questions about his durability may have prompted the Tigers to move Sanchez into the bullpen, which also would have been easier to break into than their young, talented rotation. Now it's the Yankees' call.

Whelan also would have made our Detroit Top 10, at No. 9.

[TonyStarks]

It is not easy to rattle Dellin Betances when he's on the mound. After all, he's the one who stands 6-9 and is armed with a 95 mph fastball. In high school baseball, that makes him the intimidator.
But every so often, Betances flinches when he looks behind home plate and spots the dozens of scouts who have come to watch him pitch, many pointing their radar guns in his direction. They are a reminder that a lot is riding on every ball he throws.

"Most of the time, I just try to ignore that. I just try to see the hitter, the catcher and the mitt," Betances says. "I try to block that out but it still gets in my head."

So far, Betances has handled the pressure well. Last season, the righthander went 6-0 with a 0.17 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 41-2/3 innings for Grand Street Campus in Brooklyn.

But that was then, and for Betances, nothing matters more than what he does now. According to most experts, a good senior season could turn Betances into a first-round selection during baseball's June draft. Some Web sites have him going as high as No. 2 in the draft, so the possibility that he could even be No. 1 is very real.

If Betances is taken in the first round, he would be the first player from the city to be picked that high since Manny Ramirez was taken by the Cleveland Indians as the No. 13 pick in 1991. The first overall pick from the city was Thomas Jefferson's Shawon Dunston, who went to the Chicago Cubs in 1982.

According to one area scout who has seen him pitch many times over the past two years, Betances is a lock for the first round as long as he can consistently keep his blazing heater down in the strike zone this season. Betances' height will make that a challenge. After all, says the scout Betances is only one inch shorter than Randy Johnson, and the Big Unit still struggles with his mechanics because of his size.

"There are so many parts," the scout says of Betances. "So he's still a little uncoordinated right now."

Betances, who turned 18 Thursday, played basketball during his freshman and sophomore years at Grand Street but has given up that sport to concentrate on his promising baseball career. He now spends much of his offseason working on his body and has gained about 20 pounds since last season, getting up to a more durable weight of 215. He's also a regular at the Parisi Speed School in New Jersey, where he works to improve his balance on the mound.

"The last two and a half years he's grown six inches and he hasn't even had a chance to grow into his body yet," says Grand Street coach Melvin Martinez. "That's what the scouts are going crazy about. They think he'll eventually be able to throw a 100 mph fastball in the major leagues."

The PSAL season begins this week but Betances has pitched several times in the preseason and already has been clocked as high as 92 mph despite the cold weather. While Betances' fastball peaked at 97 mph last season - with late movement - the scout says velocity won't necessarily make him a first-rounder unless he learns to spot his pitches better. He's trying to add a cut fastball, a circle changeup and a slider to his repertoire.

"He's got the potential to have three, maybe four major league pitches," says the scout. "But his command is what you'd expect from an 18-year-old."

With Grand Street last season, Betances had two particularly impressive outings, striking out 17 hitters against traditional city power John Adams and throwing a no-hitter against Cardozo, a playoff team. But in the postseason, Betances played a role in Grand Street's semifinal loss to eventual champion Tottenville, coming off the mound to field a bunt and throwing the ball into right field. Two runs scored on that play and Tottenville went on to win, 2-1.

"I thought about that for a week or two," says Betances, who plays for the same Youth Service League team that Ramirez did. "I want to get back to that point."

Though the odds of Betances falling lower than the second round in the draft are slim, he has made up a short list of colleges he'd like to play for just in case. He's taken an official visit to Vanderbilt and would also consider Miami, LSU and Notre Dame.

However, Betances already has brothers Alan and Randy Hendricks - the agents for various major leaguers - working as his consultants since few think he will have to take the college route.

Still, he has plenty of work to do - and a lot of scouts to impress - before he leaves Brooklyn.

[Mariano_Rivera]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061107&content_id=142758&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

Well Duncan may be doing poorly in the regular season but every time he changes the calendar he suddenly gets hot. This should make him the perfect player in the minds of Yankees fans ;)

[TonyStarks]

Thats my boy:

3. Brett Gardner, OF
A speedster by trade, Gardner used his legs to impress this season, stealing 58 bases and hitting a combined .298 at Class A Advanced Tampa and Trenton. He went to the Arizona Fall League, where he worked on staying back in the box, thus allowing him to generate some power. He didn't hit any homers in 449 at-bats in 2006 and will need to prove he has gap power, at least, if he's going to make his mark.

[Dasperp]

Duncan is currently playing miserably in the AFL, and is rapidly becoming a bust. .257/.310/.354 in 113 AB's. He needs to show he's still a real prospect next year.

[DoubleX]

Duncan is currently playing miserably in the AFL, and is rapidly becoming a bust. .257/.310/.354 in 113 AB's. He needs to show he's still a real prospect next year.

Didn't Duncan play really well last year in the AFL? I wonder if his confidence has been undermined.

At the time that the Randy Johnson deal was going down, I was hoping that if the Yankees were to keep only one of Duncan or Dioner Navarro, that it would be Duncan (though I was very much against the entire deal). But now I think I'd much Navarro as given his age and potential, he make a perfect apprentice to Jorge Posada and even allow Jorge Posada to play 1B some (which is now a position of need).

[Mattingly]

It is not easy to rattle Dellin Betances when he's on the mound. After all, he's the one who stands 6-9 and is armed with a 95 mph fastball. In high school baseball, that makes him the intimidator.
But every so often, Betances flinches when he looks behind home plate and spots the dozens of scouts who have come to watch him pitch, many pointing their radar guns in his direction. They are a reminder that a lot is riding on every ball he throws.

* * *
If you have a link to this, please post under the Amateur forum.

[clipper]

Does anyone follow this pitcher? He's rated below Hughes but is highly rated. He may have started last year but I don't remember him. Rumor is he may be in the rotation with Hughes this year! This site may have been before Sanchez. I don't know but I am very high with the farm system (both starters and relivers). Chamberlain and Rasner? I heard Rasner got ahmmered one game but that happens.

Since no one believes the Clemens for one year is a good option B. I don't want to sign another long term pitcher or make a bad trade for Willis.

1-Johnson (hope and he get a better off speed)
2-Wang (my hero)
3-Moose (solid 3, I wish he would sign so we can move on)
4-Pravano (don't trade him to Arizona plus cash, I feel we are better with Pavano than Rasner)
5-Hughes (Proctor not in the pen worries me)

Proctor as option with Sanchez filling in (I think having Proctor, Sanchez, Farnsworth, Burney, Britton in the pen is a killer support for our starters).

My view is we have 2 good young arms Hughes and Sanchez, possibly 3 with Proctor - I have no problem with these guys.

Extend Wangs contract,
Clipper

[Mariano_Rivera]

Duncan is currently playing miserably in the AFL, and is rapidly becoming a bust. .257/.310/.354 in 113 AB's. He needs to show he's still a real prospect next year.
Last I heard he had gotten of to a great start. i guess he has fallen off since then. Oh well, I guess this is why Steinbrenner loves trading these guys away. I just hope this doesn`t change Cashman's approach

[TonyStarks]

Didn't Duncan play really well last year in the AFL? I wonder if his confidence has been undermined.

At the time that the Randy Johnson deal was going down, I was hoping that if the Yankees were to keep only one of Duncan or Dioner Navarro, that it would be Duncan (though I was very much against the entire deal). But now I think I'd much Navarro as given his age and potential, he make a perfect apprentice to Jorge Posada and even allow Jorge Posada to play 1B some (which is now a position of need).

Yup he did great in the Fall league, I think he was even MVP...not sure.

But I just read an article somewhere that he was having another very good Fall season.

Gotta find the article and the numbers.

[Mariano_Rivera]

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061122&content_id=146152&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp

:D

[Mariano_Rivera]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061201&content_id=1748618&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

[Mariano_Rivera]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061206&content_id=1752913&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

I guess we have a backup catcher.

[TonyStarks]

The Yankees reportedly gave another international player $2 million this year, but reports on Jesus Montero have not been good ever since the Yankees signed him for that amount in July. Montero has been dogged by rumors that he fudged his age or worse, and sources had indicated for weeks that his contract was under review by the commissioner's office at the Yankees' request.

Newman confirmed that the Yankees and Montero, a Venezuelan catcher with prodigious power potential, had "long, involved" negotiations. He would not comment on the value of Montero's signing bonus, but said one source's information--that Montero's bonus had been restructured to $1.3 million--was not correct. His only on the record comment was that "there is no age issue" with Montero, who struggled in the Yankees' fall mini-camp.

Newman confirmed a final rumor, that the Yankees had a second righthander who has had to have elbow surgery after pitching in Hawaii Winter Baseball. First it was 2006 ninth-round pick Mark Melancon. Now, 2004 third-round pick Chris Garcia has had elbow surgery to reinforce a torn ligament, a surgery similar to that performed on Mariano Rivera when he was in the minor leagues.

"He will not pitch in 2007; the goal is 2008," Newman said. "It would really be pushing it to have him come back by instructional league next year."

Garcia ranked as the Yankees' No. 6 prospect on a list that already has changed dramatically with the injury to Melancon (No. 9) and the acquisition of Humberto Sanchez and Kevin Whelan from the Tigers in the Gary Sheffield trade. The 21-year-old missed much of the 2006 season with an oblique strain. He also pitched 21 innings in HWB, striking out 23.

[TonyStarks]

I know is is kinda old news...but I'm more interested in the Bill James Panel Comment on Melky.


Internally, New York has talked about the possibility of adding Dontrelle Willis. Could they flip Humberto Sanchez and Melky Cabrera to Florida? Would that be enough? Bill James projects Cabrera to hit .285/.351/.411 as a 22 year-old. On top of that, James's panel of experts ranked him as the fourth best defensive LF in the game. As for Sanchez, George King confirmed his availability. ZiPS projects a 4.42 ERA for him next year.

[TonyStarks]

Also on Humberto Sanchez & Co.:

H. Sanchez has great stuff and profiles as at least a middle-rotation starter for years to come. Baseball Prospectus's Kevin Goldstein ranked Sanchez as the 11th best right-handed starting prospect in the game, holding him back only because of elbow concerns. The Yankees should have young guys comprising 60% of their rotation by the end of '07.

And Whelan, if things break right, could be setting up Mariano Rivera by 2008. The 23 year-old throws four different fastballs.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Thanks for that info Tony. i`m a little nerbvous about the faith they're putting in jesus Montero.

[TonyStarks]

Thanks for that info Tony. i`m a little nerbvous about the faith they're putting in jesus Montero.

Well it kinda isn't news I really wanted to hear.

[TonyStarks]

NEW YORK (AP) - New York Yankees pitching prospect Hector Noesi was suspended Thursday for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance under baseball's minor league drug program.

The Dominican right-hander, who turns 20 on Jan. 26, pitched in five games last season for the Gulf Coast League Yankees from July 31 to Aug. 18. He was 0-0 with a 1.29 ERA and one save, striking out 11 in seven innings.
Noesi received the 40th suspension this year under baseball's drug program. Only three of the suspensions were for violations of the major league plan: New York Mets pitchers Guillermo Mota and Yasuko Iriki, and pitcher Jason Grimsley, who was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

[Mariano_Rivera]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061215&content_id=1761880&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

So Chvez looks like he`ll win. Who knows, maybe he`ll surprise us.

[clipper]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061215&content_id=1761880&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

So Chvez looks like he`ll win. Who knows, maybe he`ll surprise us.

Rickey, I am happy to see him in the Winter league. I was not happy with his bat when they acquired him, but those numbers (I know it's not MLB) are encouraging.

I still would not rule out Nieves. I like the competition at 1B and BC we will have in Spring Training.

I wish they would post Melky's numbers. I wonder if Willy Mo Pena is playing. (Dominician Republic)

Clipper

[mikesty]

the faith they're putting in jesus Montero.

You can never have too much faith in Jesus!

Our bullpen this year is going to be pretty good pending Chris Britton loses a few pounds and a lot of the big minor league prospects get some good breaks.

[Mariano_Rivera]

You can never have too much faith in Jesus!

Our bullpen this year is going to be pretty good pending Chris Britton loses a few pounds and a lot of the big minor league prospects get some good breaks.

My hope is it will be this:

CL Mariano Rivera
SU Scott Proctor
MR Chris Britton
MR Kyle Farnsworth
MR Brian Bruney
MR/LM Colter Bean
LS Mike Myers

it's more likely to have a lefty rather than Bean. I`d like to use bean for a few reasons. He's cheap, we don`t need to give up anything for him through trade, he's a farm guy, and he leaves Clemens as an option (not to mention the ERA below 2.50). If we are able to sign Clemens we can send down Bean and move Igawa to the bullpen for a year (Some people projected him to be a reliever anyway). How does this rotation look? Wang-Pettitte-Mussina-Clemens-Johnson with Igawa filling in in case of injury and next year Hughes/Rasner and Igawa can move in to the rotation and both Hughes and Rasner if Pettitte leaves as well. How about this bullpen?

CL Rivera
SU Igawa
MR Proctor
MR Britton
MR Farnsworth
MR Bruney
LOOGY Myers

What about this defense?

C- Posada (great defensively)
1B- Doug (great defensively)
2B- Cano (I believe he is starting to get to be very good defensively)
SS- Jeter (so-so)
3B- Rodriguez (I think he'll rebound to be above average)
RF- Abreu (solid defensively)
CF- Cabrera (great defensively)
LF- Damon (probably would be pretty good in LF)

That's some great run prevtnion ability and I think that with the farm most of the holes that they will have to fill soon will be fairly easy to replace. Thank you Cashman.

[Mariano_Rivera]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061221&content_id=1765639&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

More good news I guess

[clipper]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061221&content_id=1765639&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

More good news I guess

Ricky, I don't know. Chavez is our BC. He has a weak bat. He playing Winter ball to get better and he was last month (your post). Now I read 3-15 .200. I hope Pavano stays healty and Nieves improves.

Yes - I deleted that signature but thank you for the suggestion.

Clipper

[TonyStarks]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061221&content_id=1765639&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

More good news I guess


Dude could you do me a favor....could you at least put a title on these types of posts so I could decide if I really want to read about it? :D

I don't really like Pot luck.



Thanks. ;)

[TonyStarks]

TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Philip Hughes, rhp
2. Jose Tabata, of
3. Dellin Betances, rhp
4. Joba Chamberlain, rhp
5. Ian Kennedy, rhp
6. Chris Garcia, rhp
7. Tyler Clippard, rhp
8. J. Brent Cox, rhp
9. Mark Melancon, rhp
10. Brett Gardner, of


BEST
TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Jose Tabata
Best Power Hitter Shelly Duncan
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Brett Gardner
Fastest Baserunner Brett Gardner
Best Athlete Tim Battle
Best Fastball Joba Chamberlain
Best Curveball Philip Hughes
Best Slider J. Brent Cox
Best Changeup Tyler Clippard
Best Control Philip Hughes
Best Defensive Catcher Francisco Cervelli
Best Defensive Infielder Ramiro Pena
Best Infield Arm Marcos Vechionacci
Best Defensive Outfielder Tim Battle
Best Outfield Arm Seth Fortenberry


PROJECTED 2010
LINEUP
Catcher Francisco Cervelli
First Base Eric Duncan
Second Base Robinson Cano
Third Base Alex Rodriguez
Shortstop Derek Jeter
Left Field Melky Cabrera
Center Field Johnny Damon
Right Field Jose Tabata
Designated Hitter Bob Abreu
No. 1 Starter Philip Hughes
No. 2 Starter Chien-Ming Wang
No. 3 Starter Dellin Betances
No. 4 Starter Joba Chamberlain
No. 5 Starter Ian Kennedy
Closer Mark Melancon

[clipper]

TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Philip Hughes, rhp
2. Jose Tabata, of
3. Dellin Betances, rhp
4. Joba Chamberlain, rhp
5. Ian Kennedy, rhp
6. Chris Garcia, rhp
7. Tyler Clippard, rhp
8. J. Brent Cox, rhp
9. Mark Melancon, rhp
10. Brett Gardner, of


BEST
TOOLS
Best Hitter for Average Jose Tabata
Best Power Hitter Shelly Duncan
Best Strike-Zone Discipline Brett Gardner
Fastest Baserunner Brett Gardner
Best Athlete Tim Battle
Best Fastball Joba Chamberlain
Best Curveball Philip Hughes
Best Slider J. Brent Cox
Best Changeup Tyler Clippard
Best Control Philip Hughes
Best Defensive Catcher Francisco Cervelli
Best Defensive Infielder Ramiro Pena
Best Infield Arm Marcos Vechionacci
Best Defensive Outfielder Tim Battle
Best Outfield Arm Seth Fortenberry


PROJECTED 2010
LINEUP
Catcher Francisco Cervelli
First Base Eric Duncan
Second Base Robinson Cano
Third Base Alex Rodriguez
Shortstop Derek Jeter
Left Field Melky Cabrera
Center Field Johnny Damon
Right Field Jose Tabata
Designated Hitter Bob Abreu
No. 1 Starter Philip Hughes
No. 2 Starter Chien-Ming Wang
No. 3 Starter Dellin Betances
No. 4 Starter Joba Chamberlain
No. 5 Starter Ian Kennedy
Closer Mark Melancon

Tony, nice post.

Dumb question because I don't follow and am weak on the farm system. I only know their stats and you know their favorite pitch (nice) I never heard of some. 1B - Is Shelly Duncan (best hitter) the same as Eric Duncan (projected)? I think so but I never heard of Shelly. Is that his nicename?

I like to see our young arms rather than FA.


Thanks,
Clipper

[monkey333]

Tony, nice post.

Dumb question because I don't follow and am weak on the farm system. I only know their stats and you know their favorite pitch (nice) I never heard of some. 1B - Is Shelly Duncan (best hitter) the same as Eric Duncan (projected)? I think so but I never heard of Shelly. Is that his nicename?

I like to see our young arms rather than FA.


Thanks,
Clipper
Shelly is a decent power hitter but he's 26 in AAA. He doesn't have the same sort of ceiling or prospect status that Eric has(still). He strikesout a ton and his OBP skills are mediocre. I think they've stuck him in the OF now. He's nothing more than a possible bench player if that.

That listing that was posted is a bit old though, it doesn't account for the Sheffield trade in which Sanchez should be close if not in, the top 5.

Here's probably the best rankings/ write-up I've seen on our system(And the site name is right on!):

http://firetorre.blogspot.com/2006/11/top-30-prospects-list.html

[TonyStarks]

Tony, nice post.

Dumb question because I don't follow and am weak on the farm system. I only know their stats and you know their favorite pitch (nice) I never heard of some. 1B - Is Shelly Duncan (best hitter) the same as Eric Duncan (projected)? I think so but I never heard of Shelly. Is that his nicename?

I like to see our young arms rather than FA.


Thanks,
Clipper

He's been around a few years. I seen him play a few times on TV when the AA games are on.

Shelly Duncan isn't the same kinda hitter like Eric.
Shelly is more like a Rob Deer. He's got massive power but for some reason...he's in that Adam Dunn mode but less contact.
He's either hitting the baseball a ton or completely missing.

I expect him to be a Minor League lifer....don't ever expect to see him in the Majors.

[TonyStarks]

Shelly is a decent power hitter but he's 26 in AAA. He doesn't have the same sort of ceiling or prospect status that Eric has(still). He strikesout a ton and his OBP skills are mediocre. I think they've stuck him in the OF now. He's nothing more than a possible bench player if that.

That listing that was posted is a bit old though, it doesn't account for the Sheffield trade in which Sanchez should be close if not in, the top 5.

Here's probably the best rankings/ write-up I've seen on our system(And the site name is right on!):

http://firetorre.blogspot.com/2006/11/top-30-prospects-list.html

The listing is new as of last week. Not sure when Humberto and Co. didn't make the list. Maybe they are still on Detroit :noidea

[DoubleX]

I think the comparison Tony made between Shelly Duncan and Rob Deer is a good one, except unlike Deer, I don't think Duncan could hit 30 homeruns a year like Deer, but I wouldn't say it's impossible. You know what might be a good comparison - Kevin Maas. I think if Duncan were given a real shot, he'd have a season that would look a lot like Maas' '91 campaign except with less walks and perhaps a little more power.. Mass' stats that year were .220, 23, 63, 128 Ks, 83 BB, .333 OBP, .390 SLG.

I think Shelly Duncan's best hope to make the Majors is to be traded to the Cardinals where his father is the pitching coach and his brother is a player (who seems to have a pretty good bat, but is a terrible fielder).

[TonyStarks]

I think the comparison Tony made between Shelly Duncan and Rob Deer is a good one, except unlike Deer, I don't think Duncan could hit 30 homeruns a year like Deer, but I wouldn't say it's impossible. You know what might be a good comparison - Kevin Maas. I think if Duncan were given a real shot, he'd have a season that would look a lot like Maas' '91 campaign except with less walks and perhaps a little more power.. Mass' stats that year were .220, 23, 63, 128 Ks, 83 BB, .333 OBP, .390 SLG.

I think Shelly Duncan's best hope to make the Majors is to be traded to the Cardinals where his father is the pitching coach and his brother is a player (who seems to have a pretty good bat, but is a terrible fielder).

DX,
I just don't see the upside that Shelly has.

IMO, he's a lifer and he's due for some very long bus rides.

[clipper]

Shelly is a decent power hitter but he's 26 in AAA. He doesn't have the same sort of ceiling or prospect status that Eric has(still). He strikesout a ton and his OBP skills are mediocre. I think they've stuck him in the OF now. He's nothing more than a possible bench player if that.

That listing that was posted is a bit old though, it doesn't account for the Sheffield trade in which Sanchez should be close if not in, the top 5.

Here's probably the best rankings/ write-up I've seen on our system(And the site name is right on!):

http://firetorre.blogspot.com/2006/11/top-30-prospects-list.html


Nice post (I added to my favorite). Great info on the prospects (I really didn't know too much on Tyler) I was curious where they would put Sanchez. 5 looks great. I expect to see Hughes this year and would like to see what Sanchez can do. Reading info on 16 and 18 prospects is exciting.

Thanks to everyone for clearing up my confusion with Shelly Duncan (isn't on the top 50 list). Eric I read some info. I don't know what going to happen at 1B (Tony's 2010 projection) because we have several prospects/players.

Clipper

[TonyStarks]

Between High A Tampa and AA Trenton, Cox has pitched 104.2 innings, striking out 87 while walking just 29. He has allowed only 23 earned runs during that time for an ERA of 1.98.


--

That's why I say bring the kid up already.
Let him have garbage innings....just give him the chance to get his feet wet!

[monkey333]

I wouldn't be too worried about getting Cox involved. He's our most highly touted relief prospect and has big upside. That ain't gonna earn him the Colter Bean treatment. Forget garbage innings if/when Cox gets called up I wouldn't be suprised at all by him having a similar or better ERA than Proctor or Farnsworth in 08. I'd say he's first or second on our depth charts to get the call if someone in the pen goes down.

[DoubleX]

DX,
I just don't see the upside that Shelly has.

IMO, he's a lifer and he's due for some very long bus rides.

I agree with you, I was just projecting what he might look like if somehow he were called. I think numbers similar to Kevin Maas would be expected, but with less walks. So what you'd get would be a very low batting average, lots of strikeouts, and some homeruns.

[TonyStarks]

I agree with you, I was just projecting what he might look like if somehow he were called. I think numbers similar to Kevin Maas would be expected, but with less walks. So what you'd get would be a very low batting average, lots of strikeouts, and some homeruns.

Ahh.
I don't mean to sound cruel or to downplay what the kid has done by even getting this far...but I just don't think he can put together the necessary skills with the talent that he has to even warrant a look.

And tons of K's...in the Jose Hernandez way...with low BA....won't get anyone to even look at his power.

So we're in agreement on him though.

[mikeymussina35]

I guess you are completely wrong about that now!!!!!!:laugh :laugh :laugh Cabrera is great !!!!!!!!!

[clipper]

Any info. I herad he will be taking Ron Villone spot in he pen (LHP reliever with Mike Myers) and he's hard thrower. I have seen his name but he's not listed on the top 30 prospects so don't have any info (ERA, AA or AAA, age, best pitch). What do you think? Tony, you seem to know more about the farm system then me.

I know he is NOT a Mike Gonzalas but I am very happy Brian waited and talked it over with Joe first. I don't want a comparison or go back there.

Clipper

[DoubleX]

Any info. I herad he will be taking Ron Villone spot in he pen (LHP reliever with Mike Myers) and he's hard thrower. I have seen his name but he's not listed on the top 30 prospects so don't have any info (ERA, AA or AAA, age, best pitch). What do you think? Tony, you seem to know more about the farm system then me.

I know he is NOT a Mike Gonzalas but I am very happy Brian waited and talked it over with Joe first. I don't want a comparison or go back there.

Clipper

I read the same thing about Henn yesterday. Personally, I don't think Henn can cut on the ML level. He hasn't looked good when called up, and he hasn't looked particularly good at AAA, or really even at AA. The fact that we even saw Henn in '05 is a testament to how depleted the Yankees farm system was, rather than how good a prospect he was. Perhaps changing him to a reliever will unlock something in him and that he can be successful by throwing hard for an inning, but I'm not really counting on it.

[monkey333]

Looking at his stat sheet I'm pretty sure Henn was converted to the pen last season. That said he hasn't been particularly good or healthy for a while(only got in ~50IP last season). I say forget about wanting a lefty so bad, just have good relievers. Bruney, Britton, Rasner, Karstens, etc. are all RH but I would much rather have them on my pitching staff than Henn. Myers is here and Vizcaino is also good against lefties.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Looking at his stat sheet I'm pretty sure Henn was converted to the pen last season. That said he hasn't been particularly good or healthy for a while(only got in ~50IP last season). I say forget about wanting a lefty so bad, just have good relievers. Bruney, Britton, Rasner, Karstens, etc. are all RH but I would much rather have them on my pitching staff than Henn. Myers is here and Vizcaino is also good against lefties.

I agree, it beats trading Melky though

[ChrisLDuncan]

I'm looking at our farm and it seems like we have the best young pitching talent of any other franchise. Looks like we've got a pretty good prospective staff on our hands...similar to Boston's a couple of years back. A lot of people say that our off season was bad because all of our pitchers, execpt for Wang, will be gone in a couple of years...well looking at Sanchez, Hughes, Kennedy, Clippard I'd say that in a couple of years we'll be fine. Joba Chamberlin and Delian Betances also look like two young studs that will top out our rotation. The way I'm seeing it, with the bias of optimisim on my side, Wang will potentially be a fourth or fifth starter depending on how Kennedy and Clippard develop.

[clipper]

I'm looking at our farm and it seems like we have the best young pitching talent of any other franchise. Looks like we've got a pretty good prospective staff on our hands...similar to Boston's a couple of years back. A lot of people say that our off season was bad because all of our pitchers, execpt for Wang, will be gone in a couple of years...well looking at Sanchez, Hughes, Kennedy, Clippard I'd say that in a couple of years we'll be fine. Joba Chamberlin and Delian Betances also look like two young studs that will top out our rotation. The way I'm seeing it, with the bias of optimisim on my side, Wang will potentially be a fourth or fifth starter depending on how Kennedy and Clippard develop.


Chris, I agree, I love our pitching prospects. Last week, Butto had outstanding stats in Venezula Winter league (closer?). I heard Cox is rated upthere with Sanchez and Tyler. I hope we pick up a couple of LHP in this Summer's darft. I don't like a rotation without one LHP. Andy will be gone and I am not sure Igawa will be a replacement. This is a big year for Igawa. I see Wang as two (I think Tony had him behind Hughes) and hope he develops another pitch (DX thread).

FYI: Melky in DR Winter League (something about a rotation, got it from a friend) 14 games, 60 at bats, 15 rbi, 19 hits, 3 hr, 317 ba (I really like it). He had 8 errors, the only negative. My friend did not get the SO, BB, OBP and it's in Spanish.

Clipper

[Mariano_Rivera]

I'm looking at our farm and it seems like we have the best young pitching talent of any other franchise. Looks like we've got a pretty good prospective staff on our hands...similar to Boston's a couple of years back. A lot of people say that our off season was bad because all of our pitchers, execpt for Wang, will be gone in a couple of years...well looking at Sanchez, Hughes, Kennedy, Clippard I'd say that in a couple of years we'll be fine. Joba Chamberlin and Delian Betances also look like two young studs that will top out our rotation. The way I'm seeing it, with the bias of optimisim on my side, Wang will potentially be a fourth or fifth starter depending on how Kennedy and Clippard develop.

Really? I didnt know it was that good.

The fact that they will be gone in a few years is a good thing. We have nothing but awesome pitching prospects. I really like the idea of trading Karstens or Rasner or if neccesary Sanchez for Dioner Navarro. I really think that Cashman is going to be looking for a way to the fill the coming hope at catcher. I do not know how much jorge has left. Maybe 3 more years, maybe just one. Cash will probably draft some left handed starters and a catcher.

[clipper]

Really? I didnt know it was that good.

The fact that they will be gone in a few years is a good thing. We have nothing but awesome pitching prospects. I really like the idea of trading Karstens or Rasner or if neccesary Sanchez for Dioner Navarro. I really think that Cashman is going to be looking for a way to the fill the coming hope at catcher. I do not know how much jorge has left. Maybe 3 more years, maybe just one. Cash will probably draft some left handed starters and a catcher.

Rickey,

(I think you are refering to Andy, Moose???)

Posada was solid last year. I am concerned with BC not another starting catcher and I don't want to trade one of our top prospects for a BC. I just don't see Posada declining and all these trade talks. 277 BA, 23 HR, 93 RBI in the 5-7 batting order, look at the stats -> no decline. I think we have invited a bunch of C to Spring Trading for BC and that is the plan. I'll worry about replacing Pasado when I start worrying about Damon and Jeter.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070102&content_id=1771894&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

(I don't know if this site address works - yankee webpage on Posada)

Clipper

[Mariano_Rivera]

Rickey,

(I think you are refering to Andy, Moose???)

Posada was solid last year. I am concerned with BC not another starting catcher and I don't want to trade one of our top prospects for a BC. I just don't see Posada declining and all these trade talks. 277 BA, 23 HR, 93 RBI in the 5-7 batting order, look at the stats -> no decline. I think we have invited a bunch of C to Spring Trading for BC and that is the plan. I'll worry about replacing Pasado when I start worrying about Damon and Jeter.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070102&content_id=1771894&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

(I don't know if this site address works - yankee webpage on Posada)

Clipper

Pettitte, Pavano, and Mussina will all ahve their contracts run out in 2 years and in the case of pettitte maybe one year


Navarro would fit perfectly. Against righties play Minky at 1B with Posada at catcher. However, against lefties play posada at 1B (which I am sure he could learn after starting of at second base) and Navarro at catcher. Also, remember Navarro is 22 and probably a prospect and long term solution himself. Navarro would improve our 1B situation, add a very very young potential replacement for Posada, and improve our backup catcher situation. Navarro would help us both immediately and long-term more than Sanchez will. Sanchez will probablyn at best be a reliever in a stacked bullpen for us this year. Navarro would be utilized greatly in a plattoon. Long term I believe Sanchez is actually older and at a position were we have a surplus in the farm. Navarro is younger and at a position were we have virtually nobody with an aging starter at a position were players generally do not age well. Navarro could become our starting catcher in 2008 with Posada becoming a full-time first baseman. This way we preserve Posada's bat and probably do not weaken the catcher position significantly. Also in 2008 we could ahve Hughes starting, Cox and others in the bullpen and Melky as our starting center fielder. The Youth Movement has Begun

[ChrisLDuncan]

Really? I didnt know it was that good.

The fact that they will be gone in a few years is a good thing. We have nothing but awesome pitching prospects. I really like the idea of trading Karstens or Rasner or if neccesary Sanchez for Dioner Navarro. I really think that Cashman is going to be looking for a way to the fill the coming hope at catcher. I do not know how much jorge has left. Maybe 3 more years, maybe just one. Cash will probably draft some left handed starters and a catcher.

You didn't know what was that good? Our farm? I'd say so we have two very high ceiling prospects (Becesantes and Chamberlian) and two prospects who have very high floors (Kennedy and Clippard) I think were getting prospects out of high school in lower rounds because we don't get high enough (thank god ;)) in the first to pick a guy like Andrew Miller or another big college prospect (Huston Street immediately comes to mind) so I am really liking this new farm system. I'm not so sure if acquiring Santana is such a good idea now.

The way I see it we have a decent potential rotation

Hughes
Kennedy (low probably a good four or so)
Russ Ohlendorf (possibly a bottom half of the rotation starter)
Clippard (possibly a 3)
Joba Chamberlin (could be top of the rotation)
Delian Becesantes (sky's the limit)
Humberto Sanchez (if he stays healthy)
Rasner/Karstens (possibly five starters or BP/spot starters)

We also have Wang too


BP Britton/Cox (we need help here, maybe Igawa may be able to play here)

[monkey333]

It's not hard to see that we have the best or second best pitching in the minors. BA ranks our system seventh(pre RJ trade and Igawa) and when considering how bland our position players are the pitching juggernaut must be very strong.

The way I see it we have a decent potential rotation

Hughes
Kennedy (low probably a good four or so)
Clippard (possibly a 3)
Joba Chamberlin (could be top of the rotation)
Delian Becesantes (sky's the limit)
Humberto Sanchez (if he stays healthy)
Rasner/Karstens (possibly five starters or BP/spot starters)

We also have Wang too


BP Britton/Cox (we need help here, maybe Igawa may be able to play here)
You don't really think we're going to need help in the pen do you? There are only five starting spots. The rest of these young flamethrowing starters can pretty easily be turned into relievers and a good portion likely will. I'm still mad we picked Kennedy, and I think Cash is too, I'd have preferred Bard myself. I don't think Rasner/ Karstens are in our long term plan either, likely trade chips.

BTW, Navarro has racked up 451ABs over about 3 years, he's not considered a prospect anymore. I don't necessarily want Navarro over anyone else(Miguel Montero or others may even make me more happy) but I'm still waiting for a young stud behind the plate. Ned Coletti may be dumb enough to give him up for less of a potential beast like Sanchez. Or I can hope Cervelli or Greenwood breakout with the bat.

[ChrisLDuncan]

It's not hard to see that we have the best or second best pitching in the minors. BA ranks our system seventh(pre RJ trade and Igawa) and when considering how bland our position players are the pitching juggernaut must be very strong.

You don't really think we're going to need help in the pen do you? There are only five starting spots. The rest of these young flamethrowing starters can pretty easily be turned into relievers and a good portion likely will. I'm still mad we picked Kennedy, and I think Cash is too, I'd have preferred Bard myself. I don't think Rasner/ Karstens are in our long term plan either, likely trade chips.

BTW, Navarro has racked up 451ABs over about 3 years, he's not considered a prospect anymore. I don't necessarily want Navarro over anyone else(Miguel Montero or others may even make me more happy) but I'm still waiting for a young stud behind the plate. Ned Coletti may be dumb enough to give him up for less of a potential beast like Sanchez. Or I can hope Cervelli or Greenwood breakout with the bat.

Why don't you like Kennedy? He has a very high floor check this out http://yankeeprospects.blogspot.com/2006/12/prospect-profile-ian-kennedy-7.html

He stays healthy, he locates his pitches, he has tons of secondary pitches. He doesn't have the ceiling that Bard has...however Kennedy will likely reach his potential before Bard does.

[monkey333]

Why don't you like Kennedy? He has a very high floor check this out http://yankeeprospects.blogspot.com/2006/12/prospect-profile-ian-kennedy-7.html

He stays healthy, he locates his pitches, he has tons of secondary pitches. He doesn't have the ceiling that Bard has...however Kennedy will likely reach his potential before Bard does.
I don't see the part of my post that says I don't like Kennedy, probably because I never said that. I said I didn't want to spend that pick on him but rather someone else. I've read through that blog multiple times(Including Kennedy's page) and have probably posted it more than anyone else in this forum. I know a lot about Kennedy and still would've taken Bard. You pretty much made my point with the comment I bolded. I don't understand the potential comment unless you meant reaching the majors first, in which case Kennedy may get their a bit quicker but we have enough arms in the high minors to where I wouldn't have minded giving Bard the time he needs, which I don't really think would be all that longer than Kennedy.

[ChrisLDuncan]

I don't see the part of my post that says I don't like Kennedy, probably because I never said that. I said I didn't want to spend that pick on him but rather someone else. I've read through that blog multiple times(Including Kennedy's page) and have probably posted it more than anyone else in this forum. I know a lot about Kennedy and still would've taken Bard. You pretty much made my point with the comment I bolded. I don't understand the potential comment unless you meant reaching the majors first, in which case Kennedy may get their a bit quicker but we have enough arms in the high minors to where I wouldn't have minded giving Bard the time he needs, which I don't really think would be all that longer than Kennedy.

My bad, just a misunderstanding. Yeah I see what you're saying...but would you have still taken him if he was on the board over Chamberlain? My thing is that you need a few high floor guys because you need some to actually reach their potential which I think Kennedy will reach...and I think he'll bea ble to do pretty well. Mike Mussina is the player who I think he will become...he locates his pitches extremely well and he's a smart pitcher.

[monkey333]

My bad, just a misunderstanding. Yeah I see what you're saying...but would you have still taken him if he was on the board over Chamberlain? My thing is that you need a few high floor guys because you need some to actually reach their potential which I think Kennedy will reach...and I think he'll bea ble to do pretty well. Mike Mussina is the player who I think he will become...he locates his pitches extremely well and he's a smart pitcher.
No biggie. Not sure over Chamberlain, never actually compared the two head to head, mainly because that wasn't the situation. I might've for his cleaner slate of health though like I said I'm not really basing that on any research. I don't get the high floor comments. I understand the term ceiling so by the same token floor would mean what the player doesn't amount to right? I'm not really seeing how Kennedy is a safer bet than Bard to reach the majors and be good, I'm really not.

[ChrisLDuncan]

No biggie. Not sure over Chamberlain, never actually compared the two head to head, mainly because that wasn't the situation. I might've for his cleaner slate of health though like I said I'm not really basing that on any research. I don't get the high floor comments. I understand the term ceiling so by the same token floor would mean what the player doesn't amount to right? I'm not really seeing how Kennedy is a safer bet than Bard to reach the majors and be good, I'm really not.

Better control...he can locate his pitches, he doesn't need his stuff to be on. He can win games with his pinpoint accuracy, he doesn't walk guys like Bard does...his peripherals are great and he outsmarts batters.

[Mariano_Rivera]

BTW, Navarro has racked up 451ABs over about 3 years, he's not considered a prospect anymore. I don't necessarily want Navarro over anyone else(Miguel Montero or others may even make me more happy) but I'm still waiting for a young stud behind the plate. Ned Coletti may be dumb enough to give him up for less of a potential beast like Sanchez. Or I can hope Cervelli or Greenwood breakout with the bat.

He's till 22 though. he's young enough that he could be a prospect. Instead he's projected to be the Devil Rays starting catcher.

[Mattingly]

http://espn-ak.starwave.com/photo/2007/0125/mlb_g_hughes_412.jpg
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
It won't be long before Philip Hughes, 20, is pitching in the big
leagues.

Yankees' farm system packed with punch (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove06/columns/story?columnist=law_keith&id=2742549)
The Yankees have long had the game's biggest payroll, but their farm system has lain fallow for several years, the result of some uninspired draft picks and trades that rid the system of the few prospects who remained. Over the last 18 months, however, the Yanks' system has made a stunning turnaround, going from one of the five worst systems in the game to one of the 10 best.

What sets the Yankees' system apart from most others is the presence of two of the 10 best prospects in baseball, something no other organization can claim. The first of these two is right-handed pitcher Philip Hughes, who should show up in the Bronx in the first half of this season. The Yanks' first-round pick in 2004 has rocketed through the system, and would likely have reached Triple-A this year had the Yanks not been keeping their best prospects away from the Columbus clubhouse. Hughes has two consistent plus-plus pitches in a 93-95 mph fastball with fair sink, and a 12-to-6 curveball, and he has a promising changeup as well. Hughes pounds the strike zone and his command made some strides late in the 2006 season, although he still relies a bit too much on his secondary stuff. A year ago, Hughes had promise, but had missed time with minor shoulder injuries and had command issues. Now he's one of the top two pitching prospects in the game.

Hughes' hitting counterpart on the Yanks' prospect depth chart is teenaged center fielder Jose Tabata, who spent all of 2006 in the full-season Sally League; only the Mets' Fernando Martinez and the Braves' Elvis Andrus were younger among such players. Tabata has an outstanding package of tools, but also has a degree of baseball acumen not often seen in players so young. He has a quick bat with developing power and good command of the strike zone. He has good instincts in center, with a plus arm that will allow him to move to right if he outgrows center. His season ended in early August due to a thumb injury, but he's playing in the Venezuelan winter league and swinging the bat with no trouble.

The Yanks' system also now boasts depth that it hasn't had in years. Trading Gary Sheffield netted the Yankees another top pitching prospect in Humberto Sanchez as well as two live arms in Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett. Randy Johnson didn't bring as much back, but the Yanks did grab another live arm in Ross Ohlendorf. Meanwhile, Tyler Clippard passed the Double-A test and looks like at least a fifth starter in the majors, while 2006 sandwich pick Joba Chamberlain, who fell out of the top 10 picks due to serious concerns about the state of his shoulder, threw extremely well in the Hawaiian Winter League.

The Yanks also added two more tough signs in Mark Melancon and sashimi-raw flamethrower Dellin Betances. It's a significant improvement for such a short period of time, and it's very bad news for the other four teams in the AL East.

[monkey333]

I love Tabata as much as the next Yankee fan but top ten prospect? Wowzerz. Also numerous other thing I could nit pick out of that article. Law is a better write when he sticks to the bigs.

[ElHalo]

Don't know if anybody else has ESPN Insider, but in their rankings of all thirty teams' minor league system, the Yankees rated 5th.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Cool, best record in the Al East kast year and best farm system.

Tabata is a top 10 prospect pretty much everywhere I`ve looked at. Before last year some people have Tabata over Hughes even.

[monkey333]

Cool, best record in the Al East kast year and best farm system.

Tabata is a top 10 prospect pretty much everywhere I`ve looked at. Before last year some people have Tabata over Hughes even.
Where exactly have you looked? By top ten prospect Law was meaning in the entire minors where pretty much everyone like BA has him around number 20. He wasn't talking about our top ten in which case he's an easy #2 to Hughes. And we don't have the best farm in the East.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Where exactly have you looked? By top ten prospect Law was meaning in the entire minors where pretty much everyone like BA has him around number 20. He wasn't talking about our top ten in which case he's an easy #2 to Hughes. And we don't have the best farm in the East.

Actually closer to top 15 really but i have seen that in a few places believe it or not.

I forgot Tampa.

[ChrisLDuncan]

http://yankeeprospects.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-good-is-phil-hughes.html


Check it.

[monkey333]

My second favorite pitching prospect had a fairly good article written about him today. I thought I heard he was sitting higher than they say in the article but not a big quibble, he's eighteen and that lanky body is begging for tons of added muscle.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/story/495573p-417572c.html

[ChrisLDuncan]

Dellin dealing

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/story/495573p-417572c.html


Igawa news
http://www.courant.com/sports/baseball/hc-baseup0208.artfeb08,0,4073791.story?coll=hc-headlines-baseball

[monkey333]

Dellin dealing

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/story/495573p-417572c.html

Look a just a smidge up.

[AcidLake]

(I'm new to this board! Another Yankee fan here)

Few years ago, the Yankee farm system hit the bottom and didn't seem to have good prospects (despite producing Wang and Cano). But right now, ESPN rated ours to #7, and Keith Law rated ours as #5. Now all other baseball fans might complain about our system being rated high despite being lack of high leveled good hitting prospect compared to other top farms (Angels, DBacks, DRays choose your pick). But here are some factors that led our system acclaimed by the experts.

1. Our 2007 AAA rotation.

We had Messiah Hughes, T-Clip and White to be in AAA this year. Then we got Hungry Hungry Humberto for Sheffield. (I'm surprised Tigers gave him up instead of Juurjens or whatever his name is) We also later got Ohlendorf from trading Blown Unit. (Ohlendorf was eyed by Yankee scouts before 2004 draft. One of them thought him to be next Prior). This makes our AAA rotation:

Hughes, Sanchez, T-Cliip, White, Ohlendorf

And I guess except for White, all other 4 of them are in our Top 10-How incredible is that? I could've put Steve Jackson in there, but he could be in bullpen.

2. Pitchers from 2006 draft

Here are some pitchers Yankees got from draft

Ian Kennedy, Joba the Hut, Tim Norton, Dellin Betances, Zack McAllister, Mark Melancon (TJ surgery), David Robertson, Nick Peterson and George Kontos

Of them, Ian Kennedy could be lights out, but I'm unsure. Joba could be future #1~2 starter and was considered as top 5 pick until some teams thought that he was damaged good. But he was great in Hawaaian Winter League. Tim Norton was great pitcher in Connecticut, and he showed his stuffs in SS-A league, leading his team to championship.

Of all of them all, I belive Dellin Betances is the only high schooler. He was predicted to be 1st rounder but some teams doubted that he'll sign with them. He ended up getting 1 million bonus and hit 98mph in GCL as a 18 yrs old. He also has great work ethic (lol at Daniel Bard). David Robertson has power stuff, and if he can conquer his control, he'll be one hell of set up man. George Kontos was pleasant surprise with much improved control. If you see his stats at college, it looks like Ryan Vogelsong's MLB stats. But he worked on control in pro ball, and resulted with great stats.

BA rated Red Sox at #1 at 2006 draft with Yankees on 2nd. But if Yankees had good amount of extra picks as Red Sox did, I'm sure Yankees would've one hell of draft.

3. Latin American talent.

In 2005, Yankees got a jackpot from Venezuela-Jose Tabata. Tabata is top #20 prospect in MLB now, people. He's known for mental and physical maturity beyond his age. I do admit F-Mart in Mets is better than Tabata, but F-Mart is often criticized for his work ethic. Tabata could be better.

Another guys we got from Latin America who generated attentions:

Gerardo Rodriguez (60 power in 20~80 power range. Converted to 1st base)
Angel Reyes (great stuff, needs more polish as 19 yrs old)
Jesus Montero (16 yrs old phenom with 80 power in 20~80 scale. Scouts call him 'Travis Hafner transformed to 16 yrs old)
Reegie Corona (hitting breakout season. Good contact hitter)
Fransisco Cervelli (also had breakout season last year. 20 yrs old with good potention)
Andres Dionicio (tore it up in DSL. I wonder when he'll reach US)
Pryllis Cuello (supposed to be best 5-tooler in DSL.)

I know there's very LOW probability of young players going to be succeed... we'll just have to watch

[Mariano_Rivera]

Welcome to BBF, that's a nice analysis.

[monkey333]

Sickels on T-Clip.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/

He has his ratios plummeting and says his curveball and change are average. Top notch work dude!

[DoubleX]

(I'm new to this board! Another Yankee fan here)

Nice analysis and welcome aboard. I hope you stick around and keep contributing - seems like you have a lot of good stuff to say.

[AcidLake]

Sickels on T-Clip.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/

He has his ratios plummeting and says his curveball and change are average. Top notch work dude!

Average curveball and changeup? I heard they are plus pitches with good movement to fool the batters to go along with his control. Some times he does gives up dingers by throwing hanging curveballs though

[ChrisLDuncan]

We need more Yankee fans here, and around the world...welcome aboard.

[AcidLake]

Here's a guy we could give more focus on:

http://yankeesprospects.com/player.php?id=250&pos=200

I really stood out for DSL team last year. Does any one have good information on him?

[ChrisLDuncan]

We have the 4th best farm in baseball, according to Baseball Prospectus, and the best pitching prospects in all of baseball




:gt :dance :clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping BRAVO BRIAN CASHMAN BRAVO!

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5870&PHPSESSID=a3b44b2497aeec5a7460f8cb0f3e8c76

[monkey333]

Here's a guy we could give more focus on:

http://yankeesprospects.com/player.php?id=250&pos=200

I really stood out for DSL team last year. Does any one have good information on him?
First I've heard of him. Last season's BA dependent OBP scares me but he's nineteen so who knows, I'll wait to consider getting excited.

I don't really agree with the 4th best overall but top pitching is reasonable.

[monkey333]

So heading into the season soon, and we Yankee fans finally have a reason to keep an eye on the farm. Who does everyone have as their "under the radar" prospects to watch for '07? My list:

Pitching:
Angel Reyes(Young, stud stuff, and.....LH! I think he can give us a legit LHSP prospect.
Zach McCallister(Former finess pitcher but now he's filled out and throwing heat, very young)
Ivana Nova(Young Latin pitcher, good stuff and control)

Hitting:
Marcos Vechionacci(OK so not under the radar but I expect the tools and the periphs to turn into performance)
Austin Jackson(See above. Made good strides last year)
Francisco Cervelli(Good defense, solid offense; we may have a real catching prospect, save Montero).

I took some of the easy ones so you guys would have to dig deeper.

[AcidLake]

My list:

Pitcher:

Alan Horne: He has Brett Myers stuff, but unfortunatley, he has Russ Ortiz control. Despite allowing only 105 hits in 122.2 innings and striking out 122, he also had 61BB's-resulting 4.86 ERA last year in high-A. He has great stuff with 93~95mph range fastball touching 97mph with nasty 12-6 curve compared to AJ Burnett's. If he can improve his control like George Kontos, he could be stud.

Jonathan Hovis: Despite leading in ERA column in whole NCAA league as a reliever (1.17), Hovis was undrafted. He was signed later by Yankees and was an instant factor of SI Yankees winning championship. His stats in pro ball pretty much resembles his college stats. In my opinion, he's another steal of draft next to Joba and Betances. He throws at 91mph fastball with slider, but he also has impressive sinker (87~91mph range) that he throws with sidearm delivery.

George Kontos: Despite posting very mediocre numbers in NCAA, he was drafted as 5th rounder as scouts thought that he had very impressive moving stuff. As he came to pro ball, the coaches fixed his control-resulting him as one of the best pitchers in SS-A league. He was also playoff hero of SI Yanks. He features 91~94mph fastball with great slider. His fastball velocity kind of reduced after he improved his control though, but his slider is always a threat to batters.

Hitters:

Gerardo Rodriguez: He showed off his power in GCL last year. Driving 28 runs in 38 games with 3 HR's and 14 doubles. He used to be catcher, but he converted to 1B after the GCL season. I see Adam LaRoche power potential in him if he develops properly. He's also raw

Carlos Urena: I don't know a lot about this guy, but I've seen his name in scout.com and nyyfans forum. According to scout.com, he's the best 5-tooler of the team and may be compared to Vlad. (we can only hope) Like Montero, we'lll see more of him when he comes to GCL/SS-A.

Wilmer Pino: He's a 2B prospect who just had a breakout season in SS-A last year. Based on his stats, he has good hitting, great speed but below average power/eye.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Does Phillips Hughes count as under the radar? :D

[monkey333]

Does Phillips Hughes count as under the radar? :D
Maybe to someone in a third world country of something....even then that's a stretch.

[ChrisLDuncan]

http://www.nomaas.org/images/hughesunstoppable6rv.jpg


He's even on movie covers ;) :D












Credit www.nomaas.org with the image

[AcidLake]

Here's a good scouting report on Ohlendorf from Pinstripe Potentials blog


Stuff: Ohlendorf has undergone a transformation since he first began pitching. A superb athlete, Ohlendorf only moved to the mound in his early high school years, and quickly started throwing very hard. He was clocked around 92 or so by the time he graduated, and he drew a lot of interested from big-time Texas programs near his home in Austin. However, Ross cared much more about academics, and was able to get in to Princeton on his academic qualifications alone. It turns out that was the ideal choice for his future baseball career, as the Princeton team was more interested in cultivating their players rather than cutthroat winning. Ohlendorf eased his arm in to that of a true power pitcher, pumping his fastball up to 98 mph. He also learned a changeup and improved his curveball. However, his control was lackluster and he often got himself in to high pitch counts. The Diamondbacks dialed down his velocity quite a bit, but the result was a huge boost in control. They also tweaked his delivery for more top-down action. Some people say that he throws a 2-seamer, while some say that he simply slowed down his 4-seam fastball. I can't offer an opinion.

Control: Aluminum bats took their toll on Ohlendorf in college, and he consistently walked more than 3.80 batters per 9 innings. The Diamondbacks made it their prerogative in 2005 to get him to challenge batters and pound the strikezone. He cut his historically bad walk rate nearly in half, and pitched a considerable amount of innings for the first time in his career as a result. In 2006, he got even better, pitching 182 innings and walking just 29 in 28 starts against 129 strikeouts. The declining K rate is a concern, as he struck out 8.25 per 9 in 2005 but just 6.33 per 9 in 2006.

Health: Princeton was the right place for Ohlendorf's developing arm. He didn't have to pitch as much before or during the season as many of his college peers. Ohlendorf is a completely healthy pitcher at age 24, not missing a start since he was drafted in 2004. He has pitched 339 innings over the past two years.

Performance: Ohlendorf was one of the minor's best workhorses in 2006, pitching 182 innings in 28 starts. He posted a 3.29 ERA in a major hitters park. He posted a 1.55 G/F ratio, down from 2.13 in 2005. He solved his hittability problems from 2005, when he allowed 181 in 157 innings, to allow 186 hits in 182.2 innings. As previously mentioned, his strikeout rates declined significantly, which is a major cause for concern. He succeeded because he allowed a very low home run rate (13 in 2006, .64 per 9) and for the most part prevented runners from reaching base (1.47 BB per 9). However, he's going to have to regain some of those strikeouts if he is going to be an effective major league pitcher.

Comparison: I see Ohlendorf as a David Bush type if he make the majors. He can't afford to lose any more of his strikeout rate, or else he'll never get enough major league hitters out to be an effective pitcher. If everything goes well, he has the ability through his control to pitch 220+ innings pretty regularly of 4.30-4.60 ERA baseball.

My Take: I'm mixed on Ohlendorf. The prospect graveyards are filled with players who had great control in AA, but poor strikeout rates. Still, Ohlendorf has a lot of things going for him. He is a healthy speciman with great control. He doesn't have a lot of miles on his arm, but has handled big workloads. I think that he can remain a starter, but needs to move quickly. He doesn't turn 25 until August, but is way down in the Yankee depth charts. If he doesn't succeed at AAA fairly quickly, he is in danger of being passed by a half dozen promising young Yankees. Nardi Contreras and the Yankees have become famous lately for improving the changeup/curveball combination of pitchers, so maybe they can find his strikeout touch again. If I had to rank him in the top-30, I'd probably place him in the middle teens somewhere. At the very least, Ohlendorf is a smart guy with an engineering degree from Princeton, so he has a happy future somewhere out there.

I think he's kind of pessimistic about this guy. I see him as another Wang-type pitcher. Except it's known that he has good curveball. Wang's slider hangs a lot and often gets clobbered

[monkey333]

I think he's kind of pessimistic about this guy. I see him as another Wang-type pitcher. Except it's known that he has good curveball. Wang's slider hangs a lot and often gets clobbered
That's not pessemistic at all. He has him pitching 220IP of low to mid fours ERA, that would be amazing to get out of him, anything else would just be gravy.

[Mariano_Rivera]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070225&content_id=1815394&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

[Mariano_Rivera]

I got the BA Prospect Handbook a week ago and they rank the Yankees 6th. They include Japanese pitchers and this is before the RJ trade. With the R.J. deal they probably move into the 5 spot at least

[ChrisLDuncan]

I got the BA Prospect Handbook a week ago and they rank the Yankees 6th. They include Japanese pitchers and this is before the RJ trade. With the R.J. deal they probably move into the 5 spot at least


Yeah BA Prospect Book is pretty good, I can't wait until BP's book. I subscribe to Prospectus, and I like their analysis. I know they have the Yankees in the top five.

[Mariano_Rivera]

Someone needs to update the first post.

[monkey333]

Big man Joba Chamberlain looking, well still big, but definately fit for once.
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4958/408300mq3.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=408300mq3.jpg)
For anyone that doesn't know about Mr. Chamberlain go do some research, he's going to fly this year.

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=303&p=2&c=625034&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fyankees.scout.com%2f2%2f 625034.html
Subscription required^

[DoubleX]

Here is a good article at NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/yankees/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/117428220780640.xml&coll=1&thispage=1) (the Star Ledger) about how the Yankees have revamped their farm system.

[DoubleX]

For all you J.B. Cox fans out there, the word is he has had Tommy John surgery. (http://blog.nj.com/ledgeryankees/2007/03/relief_prospect_on_shelf.html) Looks like we won't be seeing him until the middle of 2008, at the earliest. Though it's been said that pitchers actually can come back stronger from Tommy John surgery and throw harder, so here's hoping for that. Rivera had Tommy John surgery before breaking in, so perhaps this is a sign in some weird way.

[Mariano_Rivera]

For all you J.B. Cox fans out there, the word is he has had Tommy John surgery. (http://blog.nj.com/ledgeryankees/2007/03/relief_prospect_on_shelf.html) Looks like we won't be seeing him until the middle of 2008, at the earliest. Though it's been said that pitchers actually can come back stronger from Tommy John surgery and throw harder, so here's hoping for that. Rivera had Tommy John surgery before breaking in, so perhaps this is a sign in some weird way.

CHeck the link. it isn't TJ surgery but he will miss 2007.

[monkey333]

For all you J.B. Cox fans out there, the word is he has had Tommy John surgery. (http://blog.nj.com/ledgeryankees/2007/03/relief_prospect_on_shelf.html) Looks like we won't be seeing him until the middle of 2008, at the earliest. Though it's been said that pitchers actually can come back stronger from Tommy John surgery and throw harder, so here's hoping for that. Rivera had Tommy John surgery before breaking in, so perhaps this is a sign in some weird way.
Heard about this a few days ago. But thankfully it isn't Tommy John. The elbow ligament is being repared rather than being replaced, a la TJ. Heard he might not even miss the entire season. Hopefully it doesn't steal any velocity.

Kevin Whelan will be my shining star in the pen this year.

[clipper]

I miss his injury (was it last year?) but am thankful it wasn't TJ. I like Cox and hoping he could help Mo in the closer role (IMO) or set up.

Yankees signed Eric Burke LHP, 2.3 in ST. He was not in my BP and either Arizona or San Diago. We need some LHP. His quote "I'll pitch right handed between my legs if they ask". Will start in AAA.

I still want to see Sanchez get healthy and back in the pen.

Clipper

[DoubleX]

I still want to see Sanchez get healthy and back in the pen.

I'm curious to see Sanchez out of the pen as well, but given that he missed pretty much all of Spring Training, my guess is that he probably won't have a chance to make the big league team any earlier than middle/end of May, and that might be an early estimate.

[Mariano_Rivera]

I'm curious to see Sanchez out of the pen as well, but given that he missed pretty much all of Spring Training, my guess is that he probably won't have a chance to make the big league team any earlier than middle/end of May, and that might be an early estimate.

I think that Sanchez might have the ability to be an elite reliever. Still he has a lot of potential to put in the bullpen. We'll have to see.

[monkey333]

Matsui's hurt and I say call up Sir Tabata(kidding of course but still):
.667/.700/1.922

Also almost all of our starters(Hughes, Clippard, Marquez, Horne) have gone
~5IP~2-3ER ~5K

[monkey333]

Chase Wright is making a believer out of me. Kennedy also pitching well. Clip got hurt by the D of the SWB infield last night. 4IP 2ER 1BB 4K.

Oh, and Keith Law is dumb...
l
V

[TonyStarks]

Heard about this a few days ago. But thankfully it isn't Tommy John. The elbow ligament is being repared rather than being replaced, a la TJ. Heard he might not even miss the entire season. Hopefully it doesn't steal any velocity.

Kevin Whelan will be my shining star in the pen this year.

Phewwww....thank you lord.

[ChrisLDuncan]

Have you seen Tabitha's stats in high A?

.444 BA / .500 OBP / .722 SLG / 1.222 OPS