Cowtipper
01-15-2009, 04:14 PM
In an offseason of big-money contracts and all-star free agent signings, the 20 players invited to the New York Yankees major league spring training camp on Wednesday hardly constitute a ripple, but less a wave.
There is no CC Sabathia on the list, no Mark Teixeira or A.J. Burnett either, but exactly half of the non-roster invitees has major league experience and more than half could play some sort of role on the Yankees big league roster by the end of the season.
At the very least, the list gives a glimpse at some of the impact players who could be heading to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2009, making a splash in Triple-A while waiting for an opportunity in the majors.
Last year’s list of Yankees non-roster invitations included Justin Christian, Brett Gardner, Dan Giese, Cody Ransom, Darrell Rasner and Billy Traber, each of whom played major league roles of varying significance during the season.
This year’s list of non-roster invitees is headlined by top prospects Austin Jackson and Mark Melancon, each of whom seems likely to open the season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but could ultimately play a vital role in New York by 2010, if not sooner.
Jackson, 21, was Baseball America’s pick as the Yankees top prospect. He hit .285 with nine home runs, 33 doubles and 19 stolen bases in Double-A Trenton last season. He is all but certain to be the local Yankees’ opening day center fielder, but he’s viewed by many as New York’s longterm answer at the position, and could push for a sooner-than-expected call-up if he adjusts quickly to Triple-A.
Melancon, 23, was dominant in making his Triple-A debut last season.
He’s been occasionally touted as the Yankees’ eventual heir to Mariano Rivera because of his outstanding stuff and mental makeup out of the bullpen.
Because he’s pitched in only 12 regular season Triple-A games, Melancon seems to be on course for a return to PNC Field, but a strong showing in spring training could let him break camp on the major league roster.
Beyond the near-major-league-ready prospects, the list of non-roster invitations includes a handful of major league veterans, particularly utility infielders and corner outfielders who could fight for a spot on the major league bench.
Outfielders John Rodriguez and Todd Linden have fairly significant major league experience, as does shortstop Angel Berroa, who was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2003 and will head to camp to compete with Ransom for a major league utility job. Defensive infielder Doug Bernier and power-hitting infielder/outfielder Justin Leone have also played in the major leagues, though on a limited basis.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s franchise record-holder for home runs in a season, Shelley Duncan, is listed as a spring training invitee, but it’s not entirely clear whether Duncan will actually be with the organization come spring training.
Duncan was designated for assignment last week to make room for Teixeira on the 40-man roster, and he said on Wednesday that he has cleared waivers.
The non-roster list is short on pitchers, which is to be expected considering the Yankees already have 25 pitchers on the 40-man roster. Every player on the 40-man will also be in big league camp.
Aside from Melancon, the only non-roster pitchers invited to big league camp are veteran starter Jason Johnson, 27-year-old reliever Sergio Mitre, and 29-year-old left-hander Kei Igawa, who won Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Pitcher of the Year award last season.
Five of the other non-roster invitees are longshots to make the major league roster, but could very well open the year in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre: catchers Kevin Cash and P.J. Pilittere, outfielder Colin Curtis, and infielders Kevin Russo and Ramiro Pena.
Rounding out the list are top catching prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Romine, slick-fielding shortstop Eduardo Nunez and converted third baseman and current catcher Kyle Anson, none of whom will open the season higher than Double-A.
http://www.citizensvoice.com/articles/2009/01/15/sports/wb_voice.20090115.t.pg41.cv15yanks_s1.2232004_spo. txt
There is no CC Sabathia on the list, no Mark Teixeira or A.J. Burnett either, but exactly half of the non-roster invitees has major league experience and more than half could play some sort of role on the Yankees big league roster by the end of the season.
At the very least, the list gives a glimpse at some of the impact players who could be heading to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2009, making a splash in Triple-A while waiting for an opportunity in the majors.
Last year’s list of Yankees non-roster invitations included Justin Christian, Brett Gardner, Dan Giese, Cody Ransom, Darrell Rasner and Billy Traber, each of whom played major league roles of varying significance during the season.
This year’s list of non-roster invitees is headlined by top prospects Austin Jackson and Mark Melancon, each of whom seems likely to open the season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but could ultimately play a vital role in New York by 2010, if not sooner.
Jackson, 21, was Baseball America’s pick as the Yankees top prospect. He hit .285 with nine home runs, 33 doubles and 19 stolen bases in Double-A Trenton last season. He is all but certain to be the local Yankees’ opening day center fielder, but he’s viewed by many as New York’s longterm answer at the position, and could push for a sooner-than-expected call-up if he adjusts quickly to Triple-A.
Melancon, 23, was dominant in making his Triple-A debut last season.
He’s been occasionally touted as the Yankees’ eventual heir to Mariano Rivera because of his outstanding stuff and mental makeup out of the bullpen.
Because he’s pitched in only 12 regular season Triple-A games, Melancon seems to be on course for a return to PNC Field, but a strong showing in spring training could let him break camp on the major league roster.
Beyond the near-major-league-ready prospects, the list of non-roster invitations includes a handful of major league veterans, particularly utility infielders and corner outfielders who could fight for a spot on the major league bench.
Outfielders John Rodriguez and Todd Linden have fairly significant major league experience, as does shortstop Angel Berroa, who was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2003 and will head to camp to compete with Ransom for a major league utility job. Defensive infielder Doug Bernier and power-hitting infielder/outfielder Justin Leone have also played in the major leagues, though on a limited basis.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s franchise record-holder for home runs in a season, Shelley Duncan, is listed as a spring training invitee, but it’s not entirely clear whether Duncan will actually be with the organization come spring training.
Duncan was designated for assignment last week to make room for Teixeira on the 40-man roster, and he said on Wednesday that he has cleared waivers.
The non-roster list is short on pitchers, which is to be expected considering the Yankees already have 25 pitchers on the 40-man roster. Every player on the 40-man will also be in big league camp.
Aside from Melancon, the only non-roster pitchers invited to big league camp are veteran starter Jason Johnson, 27-year-old reliever Sergio Mitre, and 29-year-old left-hander Kei Igawa, who won Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Pitcher of the Year award last season.
Five of the other non-roster invitees are longshots to make the major league roster, but could very well open the year in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre: catchers Kevin Cash and P.J. Pilittere, outfielder Colin Curtis, and infielders Kevin Russo and Ramiro Pena.
Rounding out the list are top catching prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Romine, slick-fielding shortstop Eduardo Nunez and converted third baseman and current catcher Kyle Anson, none of whom will open the season higher than Double-A.
http://www.citizensvoice.com/articles/2009/01/15/sports/wb_voice.20090115.t.pg41.cv15yanks_s1.2232004_spo. txt