Saturday, February 14, 2015

Yankees prospect Lindgren making progress with second pro season nearing


Yankees left-handed pitching prospect Jacob Lindgren might not be major league ready yet, but the youngster is nonetheless making progress.

Lindgren's development over the past year has impressed the Yankees much, team assistant general manager Billy Eppler told The New York Daily News Friday.

Lindgren -- the Yankees' top pick in the 2014 Draft -- is coming off a solid first professional season that began with the Yankees' Rookie Gulf Coast League squad and finished with Double-A Trenton, one in which his combined ERA was just 2.16 and his opponents batting average .135. 

And the Yankees were apparently watching him as he advanced through their system at the fast pace he did, and are more than content with what they saw. 

"I don't think you could be more pleased as an organization with the progress he made," Eppler said.

It's currently unknown whether or not Lindgren will be with the Yankees for spring training this season, but his name has been thrown around recently as a possible bullpen piece.

If Lindgren does indeed get that kind of job, he would join a group already including the likes of Justin Wilson and David Carpenter -- so it's a guessing game as to where he would go. The eighth and ninth inning roles are likely reserved for Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller, and Adam Warren is also probably due for a spot. 

But, Lindgren says, it's just neat that that speculation exists. 

"It's pretty exciting just that people are talking about me and the situation," Lindgren said. "I'm just happy to be here."

Lindgren's true potential seemed to be shown during his college days at Mississippi State, where he dominated from 2012-2014. Besides putting together a 12-6 record and a 2.64 ERA over all three years, Lindgren kept his 2014 ERA to an amazing 0.81 -- helping earn him a $1.1 million signing bonus with the Yankees. 

But Lindgren's maturation isn't complete, and Eppler says the Yankees are still going to keep an eye on him as he continues to grow.

"You just look to see continued progress," Eppler said. 

The Case For/Against Everth Cabrera


I can smell the fresh cut grass, the bags hauling all the balls and the bats, Spring Training is almost upon us. I made the case for Evereth Cabrera to be the next shortstop for the New York Yankees back in I believe November and while I am not making that case again I am once again beating the drum for Cabrera. All the major free agents and big names outside of Francisco Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano are signed and we are in definite minor league deal territory. There is no such thing as a bad minor league deal and there is no such thing as having too much depth. Would Cabrera once again make sense? Let's look at both sides of the equation. 

Pros:

  • ·         Switch hitter
  • ·         28 years old, youthful
  • ·         Three years of team control
  • ·         Doesn’t gut the farm system to acquire
  • ·         Made less than $2.5 million in 2014
  • ·         Above average league rating per 9 and per game defensively
  • ·         Has 40 stolen base speed


Cons:

  • ·         Coming off a down 2014 season and a Biogenesis suspension
  • ·         Had a DUI charge last season questioning his character
  • ·         Walked only 20 times in 2014
  • ·         Low BA, OBP, and OPS


I can't see an issue with Cabrera joining Cole Figueroa, Nick Noonan, Robert Refsnyder, Jose Pirela and others in minor league camp in a couple weeks. If he doesn't work out he's cut and the team moves on. If he proves he can still do it with the bat the Yankees get more versatile and possibly a better alternative to Brendan Ryan. Not much risk and a whole lot of upside. Where do I sign?

RiverDogs Announce Four Special Packages for Valentine’s Day

Here is the press release:

Romantic dinner-date for two at The Joe highlights the holiday bundles in 2015



CHARLESTON, SC – Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember and surprise your sweetheart with a very special delivery from Charlie T. RiverDog.


“Love is always in the air this time of year,” said General Manager Dave Echols, “these packages allow everyone, whether in love with someone else or themselves, to bring that love to the ballpark this season.”


During this time of love, the RiverDogs are providing their fans four distinct packages from which to choose, highlighted by the new “Deferred Date Package.” For $75, this bundle includes two box seats to a Tuesday RiverDogs game and a three-course feast at The Joe ordered from a romantic menu of ballpark cuisine put together, with love of course, by Food and Beverage Director Josh Shea. Note that the dinner is NOT on Valentine’s Day, but on a specified Tuesday “Date Night” game at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. The lovebirds will choose from items such as the Out of the Ball Park Garden Salad, Sassy Jerk Chicken Sausage and Deep Fried Oreo Churros listed on the special menu.

Other bundles offered include “For Him,” and “For Her” packages which come with four upper reserved vouchers and two gifts for $50 and a special “Lonely Heart’s” package with one upper reserved voucher, one frozen dinner, and one pint of ice cream for $20.

Loveable mascot Charlie T. RiverDog will once again deliver all of the Valentine’s Day packages ordered by the end of the day on Tuesday, Feb. 10 to their Valentines throughout the Lowcountry. Packages will be delivered on Thursday, Feb. 12 and Friday, Feb. 13, pending availability.

For more information and to order your special Valentine’s Day Specials, please contact the RiverDogs at 843/577-DOGS (3647) or online atwww.riverdogs.com.

Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 Prospects List: #15


Prospects Month is in full swing and we're already up to our 15th best prospect in the farm system, Jake Cave.

Here is the write up from Kyle McDaniel on Cave:

Jake Cave, CF Video: Cave is a bit of a sleeper in the system, and didn’t have a ton of draft hype as a 6th round overpay that got $800,000 out of a Virginia high school in 2011. Cave has the plus speed to stick in center field and a contact stroke with enough power to hit mistakes out of the park.  One Yankees official said there’s a little Colby Rasmus to Cave’s game, with a little less raw tools and a little more feel. He’s performed well at every stop and has been young for the level. He should head to Double-A and/or Triple-A next year with a chance to break in the bigs as a reserve and a shot to become an everyday player.

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15. Jake Cave
16. Austin DeCarr
17. Tyler Wade
18. Juan DeLeon
19. Dante Bichette Jr. 
20. Domingo German
21. Slade Heathcott
22. Nick Rumbelow
23. Jose Ramirez
24. Ramon Flores
25. Gosuke Katoh
26. Chasen Shreve
27. Taylor Dugas
28. Johnny Barbato

Meet a Prospect: Nick Noonan


Spring Training is a few weeks away and the New York Yankees except a few new faces in camp after signing many to minor league deals with invites to camp. One of those new faces will be former first round pick and infielder Nick Noonan. Noonan will likely compete for the last bench spot on the roster and likely start the season either on another team or down in Scranton with the RailRiders.

Nicholas Murphy Noonan was born on May 4, 1989 and spent his High School days at Francis W. Parker School in San Diego, California. There Noonan was named to the Aflac All-American West Team which caught the eye of many major league teams including the San Francisco Giants who drafted him with their first round pick, 32nd overall, in the 2007 MLB First Year Players Draft. Noonan walked away from a commitment to Clemson University to sign with the Giants for a cool $1 million.


Noonan was added to the Giants 25 man roster before Opening Day 2013 and would spend the next 62 games with the team. Noonan hit just .219 in 111 at bats for the team before being designated for assignment on July 25, 2014. Noonan is now a member of the New York Yankees and is looking to earn a spot on the final roster by harnessing some of the talent that made him a former first round pick. 

Looking at the 2015 Draft: 15th Best Prospect



Continuing our look at the 2015 MLB First Year Players Draft we take a look at the #15 ranked prospect expected to enter the draft. As always we will include the mini scouting report from MLB.com as we introduce the #15 prospect, Trenton Clark. Clark is a Senior at Richland High School in Texas and an outfielder. 

Here is the write up from MLB.com:

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 45 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

Clark reinforced his reputation as one of the best prep hitters available with his performance at the 18-and-under Pan American Championship in Mexico in September. He led Team USA to a gold medal by topping the team in nearly every offensive category, hitting .565 with three homers, 20 RBIs and five steals in eight games.

Clark has an unusual left-handed swing with a golf-style grip, but he makes repeated hard contact with his short stroke and above-average bat speed. Factor in his considerable strength and he should have at least average power. He also adds value on the bases with his solid speed and keen instincts.

While he's not a true burner, Clark has a chance to stay in center field as a pro. Left field would be his likely fallback position and the Texas Tech commit should have enough bat to profile there if needed.

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15. Trenton Clark
16. Ian Happ
17. Phil Bickford
18. Mike Nikorak
19. Kyle Cody
20. Cody Ponce
21. Riley Ferrell 
22. Chris Betts
23. James Kaprielian
24. Jake Lemoine
25. Beau Burrows
26. Richie Martin
27. Kyle Tucker
28. D.J. Stewart

Happy Valentines Day from The Greedy Pinstripes


After enduring a Friday the 13th yesterday I think we all deserve a little love, don’t we? Happy Valentines Day to everyone reading from everyone here at The Greedy Pinstripes. We truly do appreciate and truly do love all you guys and girls. Thank you for everything and enjoy your day!

This Day in New York Yankees History 2/14: Yankees Sign Andruw Jones


On this day in 2011 the New York Yankees signed the "Curacao Kid" Andruw Jones to a one year deal essentially closing the door on Johnny Damon's career in pinstripes. Jones signed for one year and $1.5 million and ended up stinking up the joint for two seasons. 

Also on this day in 2009 the Yankees lost free agent Bobby Abreu to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after they signed him to a one year deal worth $5 million. Abreu was in his age 34 season and came off a very solid .296 average with 20 home runs and 100 RBI's for the Yankees the previous season.

Happy Valentines Day everybody!