Meet the 2019 Yankees: Miguel Andujar

“Call me.” Miguel Andujar said that to Gleyber Torres a whole lot throughout the 2018 season, and he presumably hopes to do a lot more of it as we approach the 2019 season. Andujar and Torres made that their “thing” last season, telling the other one to call them if they needed a hit, and Andujar did a whole lot of that last season, leading the powerful Yankees in hitting as a rookie. What will Andujar do for a follow up? Stay tuned, but until then let’s get reacquainted with the man that made the Yankees comfortable enough to pass on a generational talent like Manny Machado this winter. Mr. Miguel Andujar.

Miguel Andujar, 23-years old for a few more days, is a right-handed hitting and throwing third baseman in the New York Yankees organization and, to many, the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year Award winner. Andujar is a high-contact guy that doesn’t strike out a lot. Andujar puts the ball in play, but it seemed at times that no matter what pitch was thrown, or where it was thrown, that Andujar was going to swing at it regardless in 2018. If Andujar can work on hit pitch recognition a bit and improve his walks he could truly go from a great hitter, to a special kind of hitter. Andujar, 6’0” and 215 lb., is a tough out regardless and is a huge component of the Yankees offense, and the future here in New York.

Miguel Enrique Andujar was born on March 2, 1995 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic where the New York Yankees snatched him off the international free agent market in July of 2011. Andujar destroyed minor league pitching in the Yankees organization and even attended the Arizona Fall League for New York after the 2016 season before being promoted all the way to Triple-A during the 2017 season. Andujar lasted just seven games in Triple-A with the RailRiders before the Yankees called him up to make his MLB debut on June 28, 2017. Andujar spent one game in the majors before being sent back down to Scranton to continue working as a third baseman before being called back up on September 16 as a part of September call-ups.

Andujar went to Yankees spring training camp looking to win the starting third base job in 2018 but was ultimately sent down to Triple-A to start the season after the trade that brought Brandon Drury to the Bronx. Andujar refused to relinquish the job after being called up, this beginning an assault on Major League hitting that included setting the all-time Yankees rookie record for doubles in a season, breaking a record held by some dude named Joe DiMaggio. Andujar finished the season second in the AL Rookie of the Year Award voting behind Shohei Otani of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after putting up a .297/.328/.527 triple slash for New York.

Again, what will Andujar do in his sophomore season? Can he be better than he was in 2018? I think so, but to know for sure you will just have to stay tuned…

Next Baby Bomber to Watch: Thairo Estrada

Two Baby Bombers to watch in one day, boy is it your lucky day or what? I kid, a little bit anyway, but really I am just so excited over the future of this Yankees team and farm system. I have salivated for years at the thought of the likes of Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Greg Bird knocking bombs over the wall while Luis Severino and others pitched and closed out those games and now that those dreams have come to fruition it’s time to keep moving forward. It is time to keep looking towards the future as the second wave of reinforcements is coming for the Bronx Bombers, and one of those such players is named Thairo Estrada.

Estrada is likely to be added to the 40 man roster this offseason to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft but with that not set in stone let’s take a look at the decision that is looming and the man that it affects for the Yankees. Estrada was signed out of Venezuela back in 2013 and the infielder made his debut at just 17-years old. Now Estrada is 21-years old and is coming off his first All-Star Game appearance for the Double-A Trenton Thunder, and not a moment too soon for Estrada either.

Estrada is considered to be a contact hitter with little power, although he is a strong guy because of all the different gloves that he carries around. Estrada has played second base, short stop and third base during his tenure with the Yankees and the small right-hander, Estrada stands just 5’11” and 185 lbs., is already drawing comparisons to Ronald Torreyes. Estrada is a career .287/.347/.392 hitter with eight career home runs who doesn’t take a lot of walks but he doesn’t strike out a ton either. Again, he is considered to be a contact hitter.

Estrada, like Nick Solak, will also face an uphill climb to the Major Leagues with the amount of youth, talent and depth the Yankees already have in the middle infield. It would totally be within the realm of possibilities to see Estrada traded this offseason since the Yankees already have a super utility player in Tyler Wade that the team is pretty high on but at the same time Wade could easily be traded leaving the door open for Solak or Estrada. The Yankees have options and that’s what a deep and talented farm system can do for a team. It is a sight for sore eyes and it’s been a long time coming and no one is happier than I am about it, except maybe the Steinbrenner family of course. 

My Thoughts on the Yankees Arizona Fall League Participants for 2017

The New York Yankees are sending some heavy hitters to the Arizona Fall League this winter and as a self-professed prospect humper, trademark pending, I am so damn excited for it. The Yankees organization announced that they would be sending one of their top outfield prospects Estevan Florial to the Scottsdale Scorpions as well as Justus Sheffield, Dillon Tate, Thairo Estrada, Chris Gittens and Kyle Holder. All these rosters are preliminary and subject to change and the Yankees have a couple extra slots they could add some players to, usually pitchers are the late additions to the team.

Florial was the subject of trade rumors this summer as the Oakland Athletics were asking for the 19-year old left-handed hitting outfielder in the Sonny Gray deal so the fact that he is still with the team and getting a chance to play for the Scorpions and represent the Yankees excites me. Florial represented Team World in the All-Star Game Futures Game this season and is currently the Yankees 4^th best prospect according to MLB.com. Florial hit well in A-Ball splitting time with the Charleston Riverdogs and the Tampa Yankees and with his inclusion in the AFL the lefty may be on the fast track to the Major Leagues. See Gleyber Torres and the rocket he road to Triple-A after his breakout AFL campaign in 2016 before scoffing at that statement.

Right behind Florial on the MLB.com Yankees prospects rankings is Sheffield and the lefty starting pitcher will be right behind Florial as well as his teammate down in Scottsdale. The Yankees likely want to give Sheffield some additional innings since the southpaw is currently rehabbing an oblique injury with the Gulf Coast Yankees but the team also likely wants to see what Sheffield can do against some advanced talent. Sheffield pitched 90.1 innings in Double-A this season before the injury and is slated to be in Triple-A as soon as the beginning of next season with his current progression. Sheffield may be the top Yankees pitching prospect in terms of projectability and if he isn’t he is right behind Chance Adams and Freicer Perez.

The Yankees have some 40 man roster decisions to make this offseason before the Rule 5 Draft which likely explains why Estrada, Holder and Gittens are on the roster this winter. It isn’t uncommon for teams to get an extended look at prospects they deem to be “on the bubble” in terms of 40 man roster protection so expect Estrada, Holder and Gittens to get extended looks, especially Estrada. It seems unlikely that any team would take Gittens or Holder at this point, although Holder’s defense and versatility could fit well with a rebuilding team in the National League like the San Diego Padres, but in my opinion Estrada would be chosen in the first round if left unprotected.

So what are my thoughts on this cast of Yankees players heading down to Arizona? I love the roster. I am so looking forward to seeing Sheffield pitch, Florial play the outfield, Dillon Tate make his second consecutive appearance and continue his climb back to being a top prospect in Major League Baseball and I look forward to watching the trio of Yankees infielders making progress as well. I’m a prospect humper, what did you expect me to say about this roster? Who wouldn’t want to see Tate, Sheffield and Florial on a big stage? It’s a no-brainer. Enjoy your day Yankees family.

For your information here is how each team is made up in the Arizona Fall League:

AFL club	MLB clubs
Glendale	CLE, CWS, LA, PHI, PIT
Peoria	ATL, BOS, SD, SEA, TOR
Salt River	ARI, BAL, COL, MIA, MIL
Surprise	KC, MIN, STL, TB, TEX
Scottsdale	CIN, LAA, NYM, NYY, SF
Mesa	CHC, DET, HOU, OAK, WSH

James Kaprielian Elbow Injury Update

UPDATE: Tommy John surgery it is. Damn. Kaprielian will miss the entire 2017 season.

We reported earlier this week that the New York Yankees top pitching prospect James Kaprielian would be heading to see a doctor regarding elbow discomfort and pain for the second consecutive season and this week Yankees GM Brian Cashman gave us an update. Here is the update on Kaprielian the best I can bring it to you with baited breath.

All signs point to elbow surgery unfortunately which likely means another year of development for Kaprielian will be down the drain. No word yet on what kind of surgery, to the best of my knowledge he has not seen a Tommy John specialist as of the time of this writing but that information isn’t always readily available either, but it’s going to involve his pitching elbow and his elbow flexor so it’s not good news whatsoever regardless of where the surgery is going to occur.

Kaprielian pitched well in the Arizona Fall League last year and pitched well during spring training this season including a two-inning appearance against the Toronto Blue Jays where he struck out three without allowing a run but the elbow has once again started acting up. Kaprielian seemed healthy all winter and spring long so the Yankees organization is clearly puzzled by the reoccurrence so stay tuned to see what’s wrong and what surgery the righty is likely to take. We’ll have it here for you.

Also to the person who emailed me directly and called him “Ty Hensley 2.0” please stop. Just stop. Thanks.

Quick Hit: James Kaprielian to See Doctor Today on Elbow

Just a quick hit for you guys and an injury update on the Yankees top pitching prospect in their system, righty James Kaprielian. As we all know Kaprielian strained his flexor muscle last season and missed basically the entire 2016 season recovering from the injury only to return for the Arizona Fall League and spring training this season. Kaprielian passed both of those tests with flying colors giving the Yankees zero reason to doubt that his elbow was fully healthy but once again Kaprielian finds himself on the Tampa Yankees disabled list. Kaprielian has seen doctors already but he sees another today which should lead to his final diagnosis. Holding my breath now.

Kaprielian flew to Tampa last week and had an MRI on his troublesome right elbow and also had a dye-contrast MRI on the elbow. The Yankees team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad has recommended Kaprielian see the doctor that he is seeing today in Los Angeles, Dr. Neil ElAttrache. It’s probably not a good sign when Dr. Ahmad asks another doctor to step in but Kaprielian is not seeing Dr. James Andrews, not yet anyway, so that dreaded three-word term is not being uttered yet. Not loud enough for anyone to hear anyway.

Fingers crossed and with baited breath we wait for the results…. Stay tuned. 

Promote Torres, Keep Castro, Dump Headley

You know the general Yankees fan base is bored when off-the-wall ideas and trade proposals start coming to the forefront but sometimes there’s an idea that just makes sense and sometimes there’s an idea or two that simply work, and subsequently stick. This I am hoping is one of those ideas as the general consensus seems to be that Gleyber Torres, the main piece the Yankees received back in the Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs deal from the 2016 season, will make his presence felt in 2017. Now with this hypothetical emergence to the show from Torres in 2017 many fans are left wondering what the Yankees will do with incumbent second baseman Starlin Castro but have no fear Yankees family, I have an idea.

Now I know that Torres is a shortstop by trade but the Yankees seem happy with Didi Gregorius at the position and I would be inclined to agree with them. He’s been great, Castro has been good but he hasn’t been great which makes the decision an easy one for me. The free agent market at basically every position right now is thin so why not take advantage of that and trade Castro away for a new slew of prospects to drool over? OR the team could simply dump third baseman Chase Headley, he does not have a no-trade clause written into his contract, while moving Castro to third base and sliding Torres in at the second base position.

Now don’t get me wrong, this is not going to happen outside of spring training. Sure, Torres tore up minor league pitching in 2016 and continued that against advanced talent down in the Arizona Fall League this season but Torres is likely to start at Double-A Trenton with the Thunder as 2017 opens up, not in the Bronx and not against the Tampa Bay Rays. This discussion and idea set is more geared towards maybe July 2017 and is contingent on if the Yankees are in contention or not and absolutely not geared towards Torres breaking camp with New York. I mean if he tears up the spring camp and manager Joe Girardi wants to bring him to the Major Leagues for Opening Day, more power to him. I’m just not that confident, yet.

There’s no need to rush the 20-year old Torres by any means but if he’s ready the Yankees shouldn’t let a veteran contract or two get in their way of calling him up. Headley can be moved and Castro is willing to play third base, he’s said that as recently as the 2016 season, so don’t hesitate. Do it. 

ICYMI: "It's Not What You Want" Episode 5 featuring Jacob Westendorf, Matt Bove & Special Guest Alec Dopp

It's Not What You Want, the podcast from Jacob Westendorf and Matt Bove, is proudly brought to you by The Greedy Pinstripes and here we are already at episode five. During this podcast Jacob and Matt talk to Alec Dopp of the Arizona Fall League. There should be plenty of Gleyber Torres, James Kaprielian and Greg Bird discussions to be had so give it a listen, and enjoy.

Weekly AFL Check In: Tyler Wade

Tyler Wade, the final check in for the day. The shortstop prospect turned center fielder for the Scottsdale Scorpions. That experiment went about as well as can be expected defensively but you still have to wonder if Wade has the bat to carry him in center field. I personally don't think he has it but I admit the Yankees likely know more than I do on the subject.

Stay tuned:

Weekly AFL Check In: Miguel Andujar

As we continue our catch up posts on the finale of the Arizona Fall League we check in this afternoon with a prospect who had a ton to prove entering this year's AFL. See Miguel Andujar was Rule 5 Draft eligible this winter and the New York Yankees sent him down to the Scottsdale Scorpions to get one final look at him, and showcase to be fair, before deciding whether to add him to the 40 man roster.

The Yankees ultimately added him to their 40 man roster protecting him from the draft and that is due in large part to this stat line.

Weekly Arizona Fall League Check In: Dillon Tate

We're back ladies and gentleman. We hope you had a good break and Thanksgiving holiday if you celebrate it, I know I sure did. The belly is full, the fridge is stocked with leftovers and the batteries are recharged a bit. The Arizona Fall League is over so let's see what stat line Dillon Tate, the starting pitching prospect the Yankees got back from the Texas Rangers in the Carlos Beltran trade, finished his first AFL with.

"It's Not What You Want" Episode 5 featuring Jacob Westendorf, Matt Bove & Special Guest Alec Dopp

It's Not What You Want, the podcast from Jacob Westendorf and Matt Bove, is proudly brought to you by The Greedy Pinstripes and here we are already at episode five. During this podcast Jacob and Matt talk to Alec Dopp of the Arizona Fall League. There should be plenty of Gleyber Torres, James Kaprielian and Greg Bird discussions to be had so give it a listen, and enjoy.

Weekly AFL Check In: James Kaprielian

James Kaprielian finished the Arizona Fall League without a hiccup, success for the New York Yankees. The Yankees top pitching prospect and right-hander got his innings in, worked on a few things, tested out the elbow and made it out alive. Again, success.

Here is the final stat line for Mr. Kaprielian as he continues his path towards the Major Leagues in 2017: 

Weekly AFL Check In: Gleyber “MVP” Torres

The Arizona Fall League is over for the prospects of the New York Yankees and the team has their third MVP in the history of the league, Gleyber Torres. Torres becomes the youngest player to ever win the Arizona Fall League MVP Award and joins Greg Bird and Eric Duncan as the other two Yankees prospects to win the award. Congratulations to him and the Yankees family.

Here is what an MVP stat line looks like: 

Weekly AFL Check In: Greg Bird

The Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions has officially come to an end as has the season for the Yankees first base prospect Greg Bird. Let's check out his final line of the season before the long, cold winter ahead.

Weekly AFL Check In: James Kaprielian

Another successful week under the belt and on the right elbow for Yankees top pitching prospect James Kaprielian. The Yankees prospect missed basically the entire 2016 regular season with an elbow injury and was sent down to the Arizona Fall League to not only get some work in but to test out the elbow and so far all signs seem to be pointing to the right direction. Great news Yankees family, great news.

Here is the stat line, and I know I say this every time but I feel like I have to emphasize it to some Yankees fans, although the most important stat should be the number of games he has missed with a flare up in the elbow. That number is 0. Enjoy. 

Weekly AFL Check In: Dillon Tate

As the Arizona Fall League season draws to a close so does the season for one of the newest Yankees pitching prospects, Dillon Tate. Tate has had a successful season by all accounts and measures as the right-hander made the AFL All-Star team for the Scottsdale Scorpions and he may have finally found where all that old velocity went as a member of the Texas Rangers.

The finish line is in sight and here is the stat line that Tate is charging towards it with:

Weekly AFL Check In: Tyler Wade

As the Arizona Fall League season begins its final push and nears completion the New York Yankees have to feel good about what they’ve seen this season. Gleyber Torres is likely going to win the AFL MVP Award while Brody Koerner, James Kaprielian and Greg Bird all made it out alive. The team got to see more of what they had in additions like J.P. Feyereisen and Dillon Tate while the team also got to see players like today’s check in showcase Tyler Wade learn a new position. All in all it was a good winter for the Bronx Bombers and their Baby Bombers.

Here is the stat line for Wade that he is working with as a center fielder instead of a shortstop prospect:

Arizona Fall League MVP’s and the Future

Earlier this morning I discussed the possibility of the New York Yankees having a second MVP award winner from the Arizona Fall League in the last three seasons as Gleyber Torres seems to be the early candidate for the award in 2016. Greg Bird won the award in 2014 with a monster fall and we all watched as he burst onto the scene in 2015 in a big way with the big league club, could we be seeing that soon with Torres? Also, is there a direct correlation, at least lately, with Arizona Fall league success and success at the Major League level shortly thereafter?

To discuss this we have to see the list of recent AFL MVP’s. For simplicity sake we will go back to the last ten seasons of the Arizona Fall League and look at who won the MVP Award and what they did the following season to see if there is a pattern emerging.

2015 – Adam Engel

Reached AAA in 2016. Should make his MLB debut in 2017.

2014 – Greg Bird

We all watched as Bird burst onto the scene and became the “Birdman of New York” in 2015 taking over for the injured Mark Teixeira. His defense was good, his power was great and his poised was unmatched by anyone as a rookie since some kid named Derek Sanderson Jeter came up through the system. He was truly impressive in his short tenure before a shoulder injury derailed his 2016 campaign.

2013 – Kris Bryant

Can you say burst onto the scene in a big way, again? Bryant has been nothing but spectacular since reaching the Major Leagues and will likely have an MVP Award to sit beside his World Series trophy tomorrow night when the major awards are announced.

2012 – Chris McGuiness

2011 – Nolan Arenado

Arenado may be one of the best, if not the best, offensive third baseman in all of Major League Baseball right now. Sure he plays 81 games inside of Coors Field year in and year out but his splits are impressive on the road as well. Arenado should probably be a perennial MVP candidate in the National League for the foreseeable future.

2010 – Dustin Ackley

Ackley was a solid player in Seattle although he never shared the same successes as Arenado and Bryant. Ackley was doing well as a Yankee before another shoulder injury derailed his 2016 campaign as well. Ackley can still be a super utility player on any MLB team right now assuming the health of that shoulder.

2009 – Grant Desme

2008 – Tommy Hanson

Hanson pitched well for the Atlanta Braves before meeting an untimely demise as a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Hanson was never an ace but he was a solid pitcher in Atlanta that had his entire career ahead of him before the injury bug hit him.

2007 – Sam Fuld

2006 – Chip Cannon

Weekly AFL Check In: Gleyber Torres

The New York Yankees are well on their way to having two of the last three Arizona Fall League MVP Award winners with the impressive fall that Gleyber Torres has put together. Torres has defied expectations and has excelled against advanced pitching and talent and all signs point to him joining the 2014 Arizona Fall League MVP Greg Bird as two Yankees to win the award in recent years.

The AFL and success down there has shown to be a precursor to future and almost immediate success in the Major Leagues in some cases so this is nothing but good news for the Yankees and their organization.

Weekly AFL Check In: Miguel Andujar

The New York Yankees face an interesting offseason before the 2017 season. Do they use some of their new top prospects to fetch what they need in order to make a run at the postseason next year or do they continue the youth movement and see it through until the end? That is still yet to be determined but either way the Yankees decide to go in their GM Brian Cashman has options.

One of those options is third base prospect Miguel Andujar who has generated a ton of interest this winter down in the Arizona Fall League. Cashman told reporters last week that he has already received calls on Andujar and his availability so stay tuned for that.

Here is what other GM’s want to add to their farm systems right now in Andujar: