Thursday, May 25, 2017

Gleyber Torres To MLB... eventually


Four days ago the Yankees promoted star prospect Gleyber Torres to AAA, becoming the youngest member of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders. But the fact that the Yankees top prospect (yeah, yeah... Clint Frazier is the top guy according to some) is not just one level away from the big leagues is not the most intriguing thing.

Between his time at AA Trenton and AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Torres has played eight games at third base, including his last four games. But before anyone get's excited that Gleyber will be in New York soon let me show you this quote from Brian Cashman...
"I’m not looking at Gleyber right now at the major league side"
I don't think we'll see Torres in MLB this season, but don't be surprised if the Yankees deal away Chase Headley at season's end, while eating some of his $13 million salary for 2018. 

With Didi Gregorius (current OPS+ of 122) and Starlin Castro (current OPS+ of 130) doing such a great job at shortstop and second base, not to mention being signed or under team control through the 2020 season (assuming the Yankees pick up Castro's team option for that season), a move to third base is extremely logicial for Gleyber Torres. Especially when you see that, over 2+ seasons, Chase Headley has been a below-average player for the Yanks.

I'm salivating at the idea that the 2018 Opening Day lineup could have Greg Bird at 1B, Starlin Castro at 2B, Didi Gregorius at SS, and Gleyber Torres at 3B. Not to mention that Aaron Judge could be joined by fellow young star Clint Frazier in the outfield. 

Rainy Day Blues...



Today's Yankees-Royals game has been postponed due to inclement weather.  The game has been re-scheduled for Monday, September 25th, which had been a planned off day upon returning from a road trip concluding in Toronto and before the start of a home stand versus the Tampa Bay Rays.  The start time for the game has not yet been announced.

The Yankees will now await the Oakland A's and better weather on Friday night.  An extra day of rest for Masahiro Tanaka can never be a bad thing.  

Stay dry!


Sevy and the Blazing Fast Goose Eggs...

Credit:  Kathy Willens/AP
Yankees 3, Royals 0...

Luis Severino continued the recent albeit short trend of stellar pitching performances by Yankee starters.  Masahiro Tanaka excluded, the rotation has pitched to win the last four games.  Severino was tremendous, pitching eight innings.  He was still clicking the radar gun at 99 mph in the 8th.  By completing eight, Severino was able to pass the baton to Dellin Betances for the one inning save without relying on any of the tired arms in the pen. 

Severino (3-2) was incredible in the scoreless outing with a season high 114 pitches.  He allowed only one extra base hit (a double by Brandon Moss in the 5th inning) and did not allow any runners past second base.  Sevy only allowed four hits and walked one while striking out seven.  He lowered his season ERA to 3.11.

Jason Hammel kept the Yankees in check most of the night but the Pinstripers didn't need much.  Didi Gregorius hit a solo homer in the third inning to give the Yanks an early 1-0 lead.  


Credit:  Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports
In the 6th inning, the Yankees picked up another run through great-base running effort by Gary Sanchez.  Sanchez singled to open the inning and then stole second.  Thanks to a throwing error by Royals catcher Salvador Perez, Sanchez alertly raced on to third.  Matt Holliday brought him home with a sac fly.

The Yankees picked up their final run when Gregorius led off the 7th inning with a double.  A ground out by Chris Carter moved Gregorius to third, which brought Brett Gardner to the plate.  With two strikes, Gardner was the beneficiary of a called ball on a pitch by Royals reliever Matt Strahm that seemingly landed well within the strike zone.  It should have been the third strike for the second out of the inning but with the next pitch, Gardner singled to center to drive in the run.

Betances struck out the side in the 9th inning to earn his fourth save of the season, lowering his season ERA to 0.57.  

The Yankees (27-17) moved 2 1/2 games up on the Baltimore Orioles.  Baltimore lost 4-3 to the Minnesota Twins and their fine rookie pitcher Jose Berrios.  The Boston Red Sox remained 3 1/2 games back with their 9-4 win over the Texas Rangers.

I want one of those guys...

Last night, Chris Sale of the Red Sox attempted to become the MLB pitcher in the Modern Era to record at least 10 strikeouts in nine straight games.  He failed but he is still the fifth pitcher since 1900 to reach 100 strikeouts in his first 10 starts.  It probably wasn't one of his better games, but Sale kept the game within reach for the Red Sox until their offense exploded for 7 runs in the 7th inning of their game against the Texas Rangers.  Sale finished the night with 7 1/3 innings, 6 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.  


Credit:  Christopher Evans
Sale has such a presence when he is on the mound.  I can't think of any potential trade targets that can match Sale as a frontline ace.  I remain hopeful that GM Brian Cashman will surprise me, but I think most of us know who the available trade suspects are.  

Gleyber Torres Watch (with a little Tyler Austin thrown in)...

It was another night at third base yesterday for Yankees top prospect Gleyber Torres as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders defeated the Columbus Clippers, 5-0. 

Watching the RailRiders this closely shows me one thing.  Clint Frazier is on fire.  He hit his eighth home run (and 28th RBI) in the first inning of the RailRiders' game against the Columbus Clippers on Wednesday.  He also had a two-run shot on Tuesday during Gleyber's first game at the AAA Level.  But enough about ridiculously hot outfielders and how the Yankees like to keep them down while parading the $153 Million Man in center field at Yankee Stadium on a nightly basis.  Note:  To Jacoby Ellsbury's defense, he was injured during last night's game against the Royals when he collided into the outfield wall after making a catch.  He suffered a neck sprain and a concussion, and has been placed on the 7-Day DL.  I wish him no ill will and hope that he returns to the health sooner than later.  It does kind of make me wish that the padding on the outfield walls was a little more player-friendly.  Rob Refsnyder has been recalled to the Bronx to replace Ellsbury.  On performance alone, Frazier would have been the best option, but Refsnyder is already on the 40-Man Roster which was the difference-maker.  

Credit:  Andy Grosh/MiLB.com
Torres was a wee bit cooler than Frazier.  With an 'O-fer' night (0-for-3), he wasn't really doing much with the bat but he did walk twice, stole a base, and avoided striking out.  All things considered, it was another game in the education and development of the Yankees premier prospect as he climbs the ladder for the eventual call to the Bronx.  

I thought Mike Ford did a good job for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the short time since his call-up.  In nine games, he hit 4 homers and 10 RBI's, batting .306/.432/.750.  But he was returned to AA-Trenton yesterday when Ji-Man Choi was activated from the 7-Day DL for the RailRiders.  

Credit:  Cheryl Pursell
Maybe I should have re-named this section the Minor League Report.

As promised, here's a little Tyler Austin...


Finally...


The Yankees conclude their four-game set against the Kansas City Royals this afternoon at 1:05 pm Eastern.  The Royals have announced a change in starters for the game as Miguel Almonte, called up on Tuesday from the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Double-A), will replace Nathan Karns who was placed on the DL with forearm stiffness. He was 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 6 starts for the Naturals. For Almonte, the start at Yankee Stadium will be a treat.  "That was my favorite team growing up", Almonte said yesterday through an interpreter.  No worries, Miguel, they are our favorite team too.

Masahiro Tanaka takes the hill for the Yankees in an outing that will probably have me watching the game between my fingers.  I really hope that he has rediscovered the touch and can continue the streak of solid pitching performances.  Otherwise, the fans in the outfield bleachers should receive hazard duty pay.  

Have a great Thursday!  Why settle for two when you can take three??!!...

This Day In New York Yankees History 5/25: Mariano 1K

On this day in 2011 Mariano Rivera became the first pitcher to appear in 1,000 games for the same team. The 41 year old right handed pitcher compiled 572 saves and 75 wins during his 17 seasons in New York at the time.


Also on this day in 2002 former major league pitcher and former Yankee David Cone was hired as a part time television analyst by the YES Network. Cone'd deal included covering five games for the Class A Staten Island Yankees, he would be a radio announcer with WCBS for the June 14th game between the Yankees and the Mets, and would be a pregame and post game show announcer.


Finally on this day in 1922 Babe Ruth was called out at second base trying to stretch a single into a double and started a tirade. Babe Ruth threw dirt in an umpire's eyes and then went after a heckler in the stands. Ruth finished by standing on the roof of the dugout and calling the crowd yellow cowards. Ruth would receive a one game suspension, a $200 fine, and would lose his captaincy.