Tommy Kahnle is 2009 Damaso Marte

I told you guys I was feeling all nostalgic this morning and I wasn’t kidding. While I was doing some research for the “So it Seems…” post this morning a light bulb went off in my head when I was looking at the Yankees roster from 2009. There was one name that stood out and not necessarily all for good reasons either. Remember back in 2009 down the stretch when manager Joe Girardi would continue to run out Damaso Marte night in and night out despite him struggling for much of the 2009 season? Many thought Joe was crazy, including myself, until Damaso found the switch in the postseason and became absolutely dominant and unhittable? That kind of sounds like someone else on the 2017 Yankees squad doesn’t it. Remember how bad Tommy Kahnle pitched after being acquired from the Chicago White Sox in a pre-July 31^st trade? Where would the Yankees be right now without Kahnle’s contributions this postseason? Let’s analyze and compare.

Marte’s Regular Season Stats for 2009:

Standard Pitching

Year	W	L	ERA	G	GS	GF	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	FIP	WHIP	H9	HR9	BB9	SO9
2009	1	3	9.45	21	0	6	13.1	15	14	14	3	6	13	5.65	1.575	10.1	2.0	4.1	8.8

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Marte’s 2009 Postseason Stats:

Postseason Pitching

Year	Series	Rslt	Opp	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	H9	HR9	BB9	SO9
2009	ALDS	W	MIN	0	0		1	0	0.0	2	0	0	0	0	0
2009	ALCS	W	LAA	0	0	0.00	3	0	1.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.000	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2009	WS	W	PHI	0	0	0.00	4	0	2.2	0	0	0	0	0	5	0.000	0.0	0.0	0.0	16.9

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Kahnle’s 2017 Yankees Stats:

Standard Pitching

Year	W	L	ERA	G	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	FIP	WHIP	H9	HR9	BB9	SO9
2017	1	1	2.70	32	26.2	25	8	8	1	10	36	2.30	1.313	8.4	0.3	3.4	12.2

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Kahnle’s 2017 Postseason Stats:

Postseason Pitching

Year	Lg	Series	Opp	W	L	W-L%	ERA	G	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	H9	HR9	BB9	SO9
2017	AL	ALWC	MIN	0	0		0.00	1	2.1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.000	0.0	0.0	0.0	3.9
2017	AL	ALDS	CLE	0	0		0.00	2	2.2	0	0	0	0	0	5	0.000	0.0	0.0	0.0	16.9
2017	AL	ALCS	HOU	0	0		0.00	3	5.0	2	0	0	0	2	3	0.800	3.6	0.0	3.6	5.4

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

It is like night and day, except these two stat lines are still eerily similar. I mean Kahnle was better than Marte was during the regular season but Kahnle also had a smaller sample size. Kahnle struggled down the stretch and seemingly was close to falling out of favor with Girardi before erupting in the postseason. It is funny how that works out sometimes, huh? If Kahnle wants to be the 2017 version of Damaso Marte back in 2009, more power to him. Just bring me a ring! I thought this was an interesting comparison and I wanted to bring it to you this morning to read. Enjoy and enjoy your Friday!

MLB.com Top 100 Prospects List Has a Few Familiar Yankees Faces on It

MLB.com released their new and updated Top 100 prospects list for the 2017 season and there are more than a few familiar Yankees faces on it. There are eight to be exact, six that are still within the Yankees system and two that were traded away at or before the July 31^st trade deadline. For the complete list head over to MLB.com to check it out while I focus on the Yankees-related material here on the blog for you.

Here are the Yankees and their positions on the rankings:

Gleyber Torres - #1

Clint Frazier - #23

Chance Adams - #55

Estevan Florial - #81

Justus Sheffield - #83

Miguel Andujar - #95

And here are two prospects the Yankees traded away at the trade deadline that made the list:

Blake Rutherford - #41

Dustin Fowler - #69

Anyone else surprised to not see Jorge Mateo on this list? I was, I checked it three times to make sure that Mateo wasn’t on the list. I wonder what that’s about. Anyway here is the MLB.com scouting report on Gleyber Torres who took the top spot on the list at just 20-years old. Enjoy.

“Torres has exceptionally quick hands that allow him to excel at the dish and in the field. He's very advanced at the plate, recognizing pitches well, displaying patience and using the entire field. His power projections seem to increase each year as he adds strength and experience, and he now looks like he'll deliver 20-plus homers on an annual basis in his prime.”

The State of the Yankees Farm System After the Trade Deadline

The New York Yankees acquired Sonny Gray, Jaime Garcia, David Robertson, Todd Frazier and Tommy Kahnle before the July 31^st trading deadline and the team did so by giving up just two of the team’s Top 10 prospects. The Yankees likely feel like they won the trade deadline this season and the organization has to feel good about the farm system still being loaded and deep but what does Baseball American think? Well we don’t have to wait long to find out as the publication has released their team farm system rankings for the second half of 2017.

Before the July 31^st trading deadline the Yankees had the top farm system in all of Major League Baseball according to Baseball America but after trading away the likes of James Kaprielian, Jorge Mateo, Dustin Fowler and Zack Littell the Yankees system has fallen to 7^th best overall. Trading away Blake Rutherford likely didn’t help the Yankees cause either but the team is still primed for a youth movement beyond 2017 while also potentially competing for a postseason spot this season. You can’t argue against that logic in my opinion.

New York still has several prospects in Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list including shortstop Gleyber Torres (3^rd overall), outfielder Clint Frazier (49^th overall), right-handed starter Chance Adams (56^th overall), center fielder Estevan Florial (71^st overall) and left-handed starting pitcher Justus Sheffield (73^rd overall). But hey, fire Cashman right?

My Thoughts on Todd Frazier Wearing the #21

So if you’ve been living under a rock for the past week you probably missed the blockbuster trade between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox earlier in the week. Actually, I take that back. WIFI reaches about everywhere these days, even under rocks, so you have no excuse. Shame on you. Anyway, I digress. As I tuned into the game on Wednesday, a day game between the Yankees and the Minnesota Twins, I heard that Todd Frazier was wanting to wear the #21 as he made his Yankee Stadium debut. My initial thought was that of shock because that’s Paul O’Neill’s number so I immediately went to Twitter to see if our followers shared the same sentiments and it seemed like they were just as shocked as I was. Now with a day or two to digest the fact that the #21 may be back back in circulation here are my thoughts on Frazier potentially wearing O’Neill’s old number.

Personally I think the whole retiring numbers thing is getting a bit watered down. I know that’s not a popular opinion amongst Yankees fans but it’s mine. Sure, you retire the numbers of Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle and the other Yankees legends but there are a few numbers I simply have a problem with. I won’t name Reggie Jackson’s name but there are a few names you could really make an argument against, and for probably as well. Roy White I’m looking at you and the need for a Roy White Day here at Yankee Stadium. The fact that O’Neill’s number hasn’t been retired by now though and the fact that the team held a Paul O’Neill Day at Yankee Stadium suggests that it’s time for the number to be put back into circulation.

O’Neill walked off the Yankee Stadium field during the 2001 World Series never to be seen again in New York as a player, it’s been 16 years folks. O’Neill finished the World Series in Arizona during that season and retired. The Yankees haven’t retired the number and they have given him his plaque in Monument Park. O’Neill was tremendous for the Yankees and was a huge part of the dynasty that brought New York four World Series championships in five years and nothing can take away from that but I reiterate… it’s been 16 years and the number hasn’t been retired. Give it to someone.

So that’s what the Yankees did. If Todd Frazier wears the #21 for the remainder of the 2017 season I’m okay with that. I’m borderline indifferent to be completely honest. It doesn’t bother me to see anyone wear Tino Martinez’s #24 uniform and he was my favorite player growing up so it shouldn’t and won’t bother me to see anyone wear O’Neill’s #21. I’m sorry but it doesn’t. I know, again, that’s not the popular opinion around these parts but, again, that’s mine and only my opinion.  ---

Frankly I’m happy to see the number potentially back in circulation as I have quite a few #21 jersey’s hanging in my closet somewhere that can now be put to good use again. So Todd, talk to O’Neill before heading back to Yankee Stadium like you intend to and enjoy the number if you get his okay. Either way you’ll make us proud. 

Meet a Prospect Again: David Robertson

The New York Yankees got ahead of the curve this week acquiring three players from the Chicago White Sox including third baseman Todd Frazier and relievers Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson. We’ve already met Frazier today here on the blog and we have already been re-introduced to former Yankees prospect Kahnle let’s get reacquainted with another former Yankee. This is Meet a Prospect, Again: The David Robertson Special Edition.

David Alan Robertson was born on April 9, 1985 in Birmingham, Alabama where he spent his first three years at Central Tuscaloosa High School. While at the school Robertson played shortstop for the Falcons and was a pitcher as well leading his team to back-to-back area titles and back-to-back 6A State Playoffs as well. After Robertson’s junior season his school was split into three smaller high schools dropping Robertson to 5A ball with Paul W. Bryant High School. In his first season there and the first season of the school’s baseball team’s existence Robertson led the Stampede to an area title and to the Class 5A State Playoffs. Robertson’s winning attitude caught the attention of the University of Alabama who gave him a scholarship to play baseball for the Crimson Tide.

As a freshman Robertson was named Freshman All-SEC and Freshman All-American by Baseball America while also leading the SEC in batting average against as he held opposing hitters to just a .183 average. As a sophomore Robertson was even better leading the Crimson Tide to their 25^th SEC Championship while appearing in 29 games and compiling a 4-4 record with a 3.02 ERA and a SEC-leading 10 saves. Robertson was 21-years old at the time of the draft leaving the right-hander eligible for the Major League Baseball First Year Players Draft a year earlier than most and the New York Yankees came calling in the 17^th round.

Robertson was drafted by the Yankees and ultimately signed with the organization in 2006 beginning his professional career. Robertson was absolutely dominant for the Yankees in their minor league system including three different stops in 2007 and two more stops in 2008 before reaching the Major Leagues on June 28, 2008. Robertson’s MLB career did not start off as well as his minor league career leaving the right-hander optioned back to Triple-A after starting his career off with a 6.31 ERA but he was back in September as a part of September call ups where Robertson settled down and gained some much needed confidence at the MLB level.

Robertson started the 2009 season in the minor leagues but was called up multiple times for injuries and the right-hander made the most of his time here. Robertson pitched so well that the Yankees couldn’t send him down and the right-hander was a huge part of the Yankees success in 2009 and into the playoffs and their eventual World Series win. Robertson earned the title “Houdini” in those 2009 playoffs after entering two high-pressure situations with multiple runners on base in the ALDS and ALCS escaping both instances without earning a run. Robertson had a World Series ring and was officially a staple in the Yankees bullpen.

Robertson pitched well in 2010 and despite the Yankees best efforts to load down the bullpen in 2011 Robertson was one of the few arms left standing after injuries decimated Joba Chamberlain, Pedro Feliciano and Rafael Soriano. Robertson was thrusted into the setup role for Mariano Rivers and ended up earning a spot on the 2011 American League All-Star roster replacing David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays. Robertson finished the season with 100 strikeouts becoming the first Yankee since Mariano Rivera in 1996 to finish the season with 100 or more strikeouts. Robertson finished his breakout 2011 season with a league leading 1.08 ERA and 34 holds earning him one point in the AL Cy Young Award and AL Most Valuable Player Award voting.

The Yankees gave Robertson a one-year deal worth $1.6 million for the 2012 season and Robertson was worth every penny of it for New York. Mariano Rivera went down with season-ending surgery in May of 2012 and Robertson was told he would share closing duties with Rafael Soriano. As we all know Soriano untucked his way to the closers role while Robertson settled in once again as the Yankees setup man having another successful season finishing with a 2.67 ERA. Robertson had one more season as the Yankees setup man in 2013 before Mariano Rivera retired at seasons end making Robertson the Yankees closer in 2014. Robertson saved 39 of 44 save attempts in 2014 with one of those blown saves coming on Derek Jeter’s final game inside Yankee Stadium giving the Yankees Captain an opportunity to finish his Yankees tenure the only way he knew how, dramatically, before hitting free agency after the season for the first time in his career.

New York offered Robertson a qualifying offer worth $15.3 million on a one-year deal but Robertson declined and ultimately signed a four-year deal with the Chicago White Sox worth $46 million. As a member of the White Sox the former Yankees closer saved 34 games in his first season for Chicago followed by 37 saves in 2016. The problem for Robertson and the White Sox is that much of the team struggled and it seemed like a rebuild was in order which leads us to the 2017 campaign. Robertson was almost traded to the Washington Nationals before the 2017 season but the deal fell through due to disagreements regarding finances leading him to start the season as the White Sox closer. The White Sox fell further and further out of contention leading the team to trade Robertson along with Frazier and Kahnle back to the Yankees for Tyler Clippard and a prospect package.

At the time of the trade Robertson was sporting a 4-2 record with a 2.70 ERA and 13 saves in 33.1 innings pitched. If you don’t remember Robertson’s pitching style the right-hander has an overhand delivery that allows his four-seam fastball to reach 92-93 MPH comfortably and 95-96 MPH when he really reaches back for some heat. Robertson also sports a curveball which he throws as a secondary pitch and an occasional circle changeup that he throws mainly to left-handed hitters.

Robertson and his wife, Erin, started the charitable foundation called “High Socks for Hope” back when he was with the Yankees with the hopes of helping the victim’s in Tuscaloosa, Alabama deal with the tornado strikes in 2011. Robertson agreed to donate $100 for every strikeout he recorded during that season and for his work was named the 2011 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award. Now Robertson, his beautiful wife Erin and their two children Luke Joseph and Violet Grace are back in the Bronx and back in Yankees pinstripes and we couldn’t be any happier.

Welcome back to the team David and more importantly welcome back to the family!!!! We missed you. 

Meet a Prospect: Tommy Kahnle

The New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox pulled off a blockbuster of a trade on Tuesday night that brought three players from Chicago to New York and left four players turning in their Yankees pinstripes for White Sox uniforms. That much we know but how much does the average fan know about the former Yankees farmhand that was lost to the Colorado Rockies via the Rule 5 Draft that the team acquired in Tommy Kahnle? Now much? Well you’re in luck because this is Meet a Prospect: The Tommy Kahnle Special Edition!

Thomas Robert Kahnle was born on August 7, 1989 and has spent time in the Major Leagues with both the Colorado Rockies and the Chicago White Sox. First things first though and the first thing is High School baseball. Kahnle spent his high school years attending and playing baseball at Shaker High School in Latham, New York before heading to Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. It was in Boca Raton that Kahnle caught the attention of the New York Yankees who drafted the right-hander in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB First Year Players Draft.

Kahnle was assigned immediately to the Staten Island Yankees in the New York/Penn League where he made 11 appearances pitching to a 0.56 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched. That was enough to earn Kahnle a call up to the Charleston Riverdogs in Low-A Ball for the 2011 before progressing to the High-A Tampa Yankees and the Trenton Thunder in 2012. Kahnle was developing fast, pitching fast and progressing through the Yankees system faster than many probably imagined.

Kahnle was invited to Yankees spring training camp in 2013 but ultimately did not make the team out of spring training camp. Instead Kahnle earned an Eastern League All-Star bid finishing the season with a 2.85 ERA with 74 strikeouts in just 60 innings. The Yankees left Kahnle available and unprotected in the Rule 5 Draft that season and the Colorado Rockies chose him in the draft. Kahnle was placed in the Rockies bullpen for the 2014 season and the right-hander made his MLB debut on April 3. Kahnle spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons in Colorado before being designated for assignment following the 2015 season and before ultimately being traded to the Chicago White Sox for Yency Almonte.

Kahnle was then traded to the Yankees this week where his professional career all began. Some are left scratching their heads as to why the Yankees would want Kahnle back but others see his amazing strikeout numbers and number of years of team control and see a guy to build a bullpen around. I am definitely the latter and not the former so let me be the first to welcome you back not only to the organization but back to the family as well. Welcome back Tommy! Stay a while this time. 

Meet a Prospect: Todd Frazier

The New York Yankees pulled off a bit of a blockbuster trade late Tuesday night as the Chicago White Sox agreed to trade third baseman Todd Frazier and right-handed relief pitchers David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to New York for right-handed reliever Tyler Clippard and prospects Blake Rutherford, Ian Clarkin and Tito Polo. As Yankees fans we should all be relatively familiar with David Robertson and if you paid attention to the farm system whatsoever you should know the former Rule 5 Draft loss Tommy Kahnle but many of us may not know Frazier, the Jersey-born kid with a picture on the field at Yankee Stadium with Derek Jeter. Let’s fix that and let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The Todd Frazier Special Edition!

Todd Brian Frazier was born on February 12, 1986 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey as the youngest of three boys. Frazier grew up in Toms River, New Jersey and was a member of the 1996 Pee-Wee National Champions. At age 12 Frazier was on the Toms River East American Little League All-Star team that advances all the way to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Frazier and Toms River went undefeated in the tournament including the championship game against the Kashima Little League Team where Frazier broke out in a big way. Frazier went 4-for-4 in the game including a leadoff home run and the right-hander also pitched and earned the victory in the 12-9 victory for Toms River. This marked the first time an American Little League team won the world championship since 1993. To celebrate the championship the team was invited to Yankee Stadium before a game with the Oakland Athletics where each member of the team was publicly announced to the crowd and got to stand next to a Yankees player at their position. Frazier was Toms River’s shortstop so he stood next to Derek Jeter before attending and playing baseball at Toms River High School South. Talk about a talking point with the High School ladies.

Frazier attended college at the University of Rutgers and played baseball for the school’s Rutgers Scarlet Knights. In 2007 Frazier played in all 63 of the team’s games posting a .377 batting average and .502 on-base percentage en route to earning Big East Player of the Year honors. Frazier caught the eye of the Cincinnati Reds with his 42 career collegiate home runs leading the organization to draft him 34^th overall in the 2007 MLB First Year Players Draft. Frazier toiled around in the Red system playing multiple positions until the 2011 season when Frazier was called up to the Major Leagues along with Matt Maloney while Edinson Volquez and Jordan Smith were optioned to Triple-A Louisville. Frazier quietly had solid season after solid season for Cincinnati until the 2014 season when the Reds third baseman was named a National League All-Star for the first time in his career. Frazier also elected to participate in the Home Run Derby in 2014 and Frazier won the National League bracket before falling to defending champion Yoenis Cespedes.

The Red extended Frazier after that 2014 campaign to a new two-year deal worth $12 million and once again Frazier was solid for Cincinnati. Frazier looked to avenge his loss in the Home Run Derby in 2014 by participating once again in 2015 and this time the right-hander won the derby in front of the home crowd in Cincinnati. Frazier beat out Prince Fielder, Josh Donaldson and Joc Pederson en route to the championship becoming the first hometown participant to win the Home Run Derby since Ryne Sandberg did it as a Chicago Cubs player in 1990. All that earned Frazier was a direct ticket out of town after the 2015 season though as the Reds, who were rebuilding, traded Frazier to the Chicago White Sox in a three-team trade that included the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Frazier represented the White Sox in the Home Run Derby in 2016 but once again Frazier came up short falling to Giancarlo Stanton who hit 20 in the final round to win the derby. Stanton’s 61 home runs during that derby and Frazier’s 42 home run were the two top totals of all-time in the event at the time. Frazier once again fell on hard times though as the White Sox struggled. Frazier once again found himself on a team rebuilding and once again found himself as the center of trade rumors. This time the New York Yankees came calling acquiring David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle in the deal.

If Frazier wanted to always relive that moment standing at the shortstop position inside Yankee Stadium he now has that opportunity because he is now officially a member of the New York Yankees. Welcome to the family Todd!

So it Seems… I Love You

So usually I try to tie these posts into some sort of Yankees related material before I express some personal information out there for all to see. Sometimes it’s in kode (not a typo) and sometimes it’s not but this morning as I write this I just don’t feel like being cryptic. I don’t feel like being creative. I feel like my heart is absolutely overflowing with emotion in the best possible way and I feel like I just need to get it out. So you know what? I love you.

I love who you are and I love how you make me the best person I can be. I love that you love me. I love that you stick by my side no matter what and I love how you’re so patient and understanding with me. Forever will never be long enough to spend with you my sweet, sweet Kari.

Thank you for being you. HEY YOU. 

Every Significant Brian Cashman Draft Pick Signing

The state of the farm system begins and ends in the draft so the fact that the New York Yankees finally have a farm system to speak of may be the workings of Brian Cashman. Sure, trades for Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, Dillon Tate, Albert Abreu and others never hurt but quietly and surprisingly to some the Yankees have done well in the draft of late as well. The system is stocked with talent from top to bottom and is deep as it has ever been so do we finally praise Cashman for this? Or do we, the fan base, still think Cashman couldn’t draft his way out of a wet paper bag and hit water if he fell out of a boat? Here are his significant draft picks since he took over as the Yankees GM, in my opinion so if I missed one leave it below in the comments section, for better or worse.

1998:

1st round (24th overall): OF Andy Brown - Richmond (IN) High School

1st round (43rd overall): P Mark Prior - University High School (San Diego) Did Not Sign

1999:

1st round (27th overall): P David Walling - University of Arkansas

7th round: IF Andy Phillips - University of Alabama

31st round: OF Kevin Thompson - Grayson County College

2000:

1st round (28th overall): C David Parrish - University of Michigan

1st round (34th overall): SS Bronson Sardinha - Kamehameha High School

1st round (42nd overall): P Jon Skaggs - Rice University

4th round: P Matt Smith - Oklahoma State University

10th round: P Jason Anderson - University of Illinois

26th round: P Sean Henn - McLennan Community College

2001:

1st round (23rd overall): OF John-Ford Griffin - Florida State University

2nd round: OF Shelley Duncan - University of Arizona

3rd round: P Chase Wright - Iowa Park High School

2002:

23rd round: P Eric Hacker - Duncanville High School

26th round: P Phil Coke - San Joaquin Delta College

2003:

1st round (27th overall): 3B Eric Duncan - Seton Hall Prep High School

9th round: P Tyler Clippard - J.W. Mitchell High School

10th round: P T.J. Beam - University of Mississippi

19th round: P Jeff Karstens - Texas Tech University

43rd round: P Justin Berg - Indian Hills Community College

2004:

1st round (23rd overall): P Philip Hughes - Foothill High School (Santa Ana, CA)

1st round (37th overall): C Jonathan Poterson - Chandler (AZ) High School

1st round (41st overall): P Jeff Marquez - Sacramento City College

33rd round: P Mike Dunn - College of Southern Nevada

2005:

1st round (17th overall): SS C.J. Henry - Putnam City High School

3rd round: OF Brett Gardner - College of Charleston

8th round: OF Austin Jackson - Billy Ryan High School

2006:

1st round (21st overall): P Ian Kennedy - University of Southern California

1st round (41st overall): P Joba Chamberlain - University of Nebraska

3rd round: P Zach McAllister - Illinois Valley Central High School

4th round: OF Colin Curtis - Arizona State University

5th round: P George Kontos - Northwestern University

8th round: P Dellin Betances - Grand Street High School

9th round: P Mark Melancon - University of Arizona

13th round: P Daniel McCutchen - University of Oklahoma

17th round: P David Robertson - University of Alabama

20th round: OF Kevin Russo - Baylor University

2007:

1st round (30th overall): P Andrew Brackman - University of North Carolina

2nd round: C Austin Romine - El Toro High School

27th round: IF Brandon Laird - Cypress College

2008:

1st round: (28th overall): P Gerrit Cole - Orange Lutheran High School Did Not Sign

1st round: (44th overall): P Jeremy Bleich - Stanford University

3rd round: IF David Adams - University of Virginia

4th round: IF Corban Joseph - Franklin (TN) High School

6th round: P Brett Marshall - Ross S. Sterling High School

10th round: P D.J. Mitchell - Clemson University

14th round: P David Phelps - University of Notre Dame

2009:

1st round (29th overall): OF Slade Heathcott - Texas High School

2nd round: C John Ryan Murphy - The Pendleton School

4th round: P Adam Warren - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

5th round: P Caleb Cotham - Vanderbilt University

16th round: P Bryan Mitchell - Rockingham County High School

2010:

1st round (32nd overall): SS Cito Culver - West Irondequoit High School

2011:

1st round (51st overall): 3B Dante Bichette, Jr. - Orangewood Christian High School

5th round: 1B Greg Bird - Grandview High School (Aurora)

16th round: P Branden Pinder - California State University, Long Beach

2012:

1st round (30th overall): P Ty Hensley - Edmond Santa Fe High School

2nd round: C Peter O'Brien - University of Miami

4th round: P Corey Black - Faulkner University

2013:

1st round (26th overall): 3B Eric Jagielo - University of Notre Dame

1st round (32nd overall): OF Aaron Judge - Fresno State University

1st round (33rd overall): P Ian Clarkin - James Madison High School (San Diego)

7th round: P Nick Rumbelow - Louisiana State University

2014:

2nd round: P Jacob Lindgren - Mississippi State University

6th round: P Jonathan Holder - Mississippi State University

2015:

1st round (16th overall): P James Kaprielian - UCLA

1st round (30th overall): SS Kyle Holder - University of San Diego

2016:

1st round (18th overall): OF Blake Rutherford - Chaminade College Preparatory School

All draft picks and information credited to Baseball Reference as a source. I went ahead and also bolded some of the picks I found to be successful at the Major League level. Enjoy and check back later for more on what may go down in infamy as Brian Cashman Day here on the blog.

Out with the Old and In with the New, or Vice Versa?...

Credit:  Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune

Yankees 6, Twins 3...

On Tuesday, the Yankees faced baseball's oldest player and a former Yank.  With a 2-8 record and 8.14 ERA for the Atlanta Braves, Bartolo Colon looked to be a feast for the young Baby Bombers.  But after he shut down the Yankees in the first inning like a young ace, I had fears that Colon was going to be  a master, for one night, against the Yankees.  Fortunately, he wore down quickly and the Yankees got to him in the fifth inning to rally for the victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Credit:  Jesse Johnson/USA TODAY Sports

Admittedly, it was a little hard to focus on the game as rumors were swirling about the Yankees potential acquisition of Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle from the Chicago White Sox.  The trade became official after the game but more on that later.

I like Yankees starter Luis Cessa and he's done well at Triple A.  But for whatever reason, it just has not translated at the Major League level for him...yet.  It felt like it was going to be a long night when Colon breezed through the top of the Yankees batting order in the first inning including a strike out of Aaron Judge.  Cessa, on the other hand, struggled out of the gate.  He walked the first two batters and hit Miguel Sano with a pitch to load the bases with only one out.  After getting Max Kepler to pop out, Cessa walked Robbie Grossman to give the Twins the early 1-0 lead.  Fortunately, Cessa struck out Eddie Rosario to prevent any further damage.  One run on no hits...not exactly how you want to start a game.

Credit:  Randy Miller/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Cessa walked the first batter of the second inning but settled down to retire the next three batters.  With the Yankee offense still unable to get anything going against Colon, the Twins added to their lead in the third when Miguel Sano homered to center (a solo shot into the bullpen).

The Yankees finally got on the board in the top of the 4th.  Aaron Judge opened the inning with a single to left.  Didi Gregorius hit an infield grounder to third that was deflected off Colon for a single.  Clint Frazier hit into a force out that erased Gregorius at second but Judge advanced to third.  Chase Headley singled to center, past a diving Brian Dozier, to bring home Judge and it was 2-1 Twins.  

The Twins got the run right back in the bottom of the inning.  Jason Castro hit a one-out double to the right field wall and Brian Dozier hit a fly ball that nearly went out of the park, bouncing off the upper part of the scoreboard area on the right field fence, as the Twins regained the two-run advantage, 3-1.  Cessa was able to retire Zack Granite on a ground out, but the Yankees brought in Chasen Shreve to secure the final out, a ground out by Joe Mauer.  

The 4th inning had showed the Yankees were finally starting to make progress against the ancient Colon but the 5th inning showed why Colon is no longer an Atlanta Brave.  Ronald Torreyes singled to left center and moved to third on a ground rule double by Brett Gardner, a fly ball that bounced just inside of the left foul line before falling into the left field stands on the foul side. Gary Sanchez then doubled to left, scoring both Torreyes and Gardner.  The game was tied at 3.  Twins manager Paul Molitor had seen enough and pulled Colon in favor of reliever Ryan Pressly.  But the results were no different.  Aaron Judge singled to center to score Sanchez and after Matt Holliday struck out, Didi Gregorius blasted a two-run homer to right. The Yankees had their first lead of the series, 6-3.

Credit:  Jesse Johnson/USA TODAY Sports

The Twins came right back in the bottom of the 5th and it looked like they might get some runs back.  Miguel Sano doubled to left and Max Kepler singled to right, moving Sano to third.  Fortunately, Chasen Shreve struck out the next two batters and induced Jorge Polanco into an infield popout to leave Sano stranded at third.

The Yankees loaded the bases again in the 6th inning but Matt Holliday hit a grounder for the final out leaving the bases full.  From there it was up to the Yankees bullpen.  Adam Warren was great.  He pitched two innings of hitless ball in the 6th and 7th, striking out 2.  From there, it was a high wire act with Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman.  Robbie Grossman doubled off Betances to open the bottom of the 8th.  After striking out Eddie Rosario, Betances hit pinch-hitter Eduardo Escobar with a pitch.  He struck out Jason Castro but walked the dangerous Brian Dozier to load the bases.  Zack Granite hit a hard fly ball to right looked to be trouble for a second but it fell short of the wall into Aaron Judge's glove for the final out.  A few groans from the Target Field crowd...

Aroldis Chapman took over in the 9th but it was not easy.  He walked Joe Mauer on a full count to start the inning.  A wild pitch moved Mauer to second and eliminated the possibility of a double play.  Miguel Sano grounded out, Ronald Torreyes to Garrett Cooper, moving Mauer to third.  Fortunately, Chapman retired the next two batters for his 10th save as the Yankees evened the series at a game apiece.  

Credit:  Getty Images

The Yankees (48-44) remained in third place in the AL East with the win as both the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays won.  The Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4, in 15 innings and the Rays beat the Oakland A's, 4-3.  The Yankees are 3 1/2 games behind the Red Sox and a 1 1/2 games behind the Rays.

Throughout the game, I was keeping an eye on the Los Angeles Dodgers game in Chicago against White Sox.  Todd Frazier had been held out of the game, and neither David Robertson nor Tommy Kahnle pitched despite Chicago's use of multiple pitchers in the 1-0 loss to Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers.  The White Sox game ended before Aroldis Chapman shut down the Twins.  Interestingly, Tyler Clippard, one of the rumored players going to the White Sox (which turned out to be true), was warming with Aroldis Chapman in the top of the 9th inning and might have come into the game had the Yankees been able to add to their lead.

The Yankees conclude the series in Minneapolis this afternoon.  

The Yankees Are Officially Buyers...

What is old is new again!  The question whether the Yankees would be buyers or sellers or hold pat was answered after the game when the rumored deal with the White Sox became official.  In exchange for New Jersey native Todd Frazier and former Yankees David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle, the Yankees sent their #4 prospect, outfielder Blake Rutherford, LHP Ian Clarkin, OF Tito Polo and reliever Tyler Clippard to Chicago.  

Credit:  Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

I am sad to see Rutherford go but all things considered, it is a position of depth and there is still a possibility the Yankees could make a run at Bryce Harper when he becomes a free agent so Rutherford was a bit redundant (particularly given the breakout performance of Double-A outfielder Estevan Florial).  I've always liked Ian Clarkin and had hoped that he would eventually find his way to the Bronx after injuries prevented the lefty pitcher from advancing more quickly.  Polo is an unranked prospect that the Yankees acquired from the Pirates in the trade that sent Ivan Nova to Pittsburgh.  I am obviously not disappointed to see Clippard go, especially since Robertson and Kahnle represent significant bullpen upgrades.  

I remember being so disappointed when the Yankees lost Tommy Kahnle to the Colorado Rockies in the 2013 Rule 5 Draft and he stuck with the Rockies for the entire year.  I was very aware of him when the Rockies traded him to the White Sox last November.  He was a good reliever in Denver and has been even better for the White Sox.  

Credit:  Paul Sancya/AP

I hated to see David Robertson leave via free agency.  I remember when there was the potential that the Yankees could sign both Andrew Miller and David Robertson but inevitably they chose to sign Miller and take the compensation pick (SS Kyle Holder) to let the highly regarded Robertson sign elsewhere.  During his first year with the White Sox, he was placed on waivers after the trading deadline and the Yankees put in the winning claim.  There was no activity in trade talks but I remember the momentary excitement about Robertson's possible return.  

Todd Frazier has the ability to play first base in addition to third but time will tell whether Manager Joe Girardi uses Frazier or Chase Headley at first.  Given that Frazier is clearly a rental, I suspect that he'll be the regular first baseman but that is Girardi's decision to make.  

With Clippard off the roster, the Yankees still have to make two moves today.  My immediate thought would be the demotions of Ji-Man Choi and Luis Cessa to Triple A.  But Garrett Cooper could be the odd man out if the Yankees feel he would be better served by starting every day for the RailRiders.  

Also, it will be interesting to see if Clint Frazier gives up #30 to Robertson.  I personally think he should.  He had no prior attachments to the number.  As for Todd Frazier, he wears Paul O'Neill's number which has not been retired.  I wonder if he is forced to choose a new number or if the Yankees finally allow the number to be worn again.  All things considered, it is just a two month rental so it probably makes more sense to keep #21 in moth balls.

Welcome (or welcome back) to the Yankees, Todd, David and Tommy!

Odds & Ends...

To make room on the active roster for RHP Luis Cessa who started Tuesday's game, the Yankees optioned RHP Bryan Mitchell, Monday's starter, to Triple A.  Poor Mitchell, he's probably getting tired of the Bronx-to-Scranton Shuttle.  

Credit:  Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Twins placed former Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes on the 60-day disabled list.  I guess I really haven't been following Hughes' career in the Twin Cities, but I did not realize that he's been battling Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS).  As defined by Wikipedia, TOS is a condition in which there is a compression of the nerves, arteries or veins in the passageway from the lower neck to the armpit.  He had part of a rib removed through surgery last year and is experiencing recurring symptoms which could lead to the removal of the remainder of the rib to alleviate pressure.  I sincerely hope that Hughes is able to get medical treatment he needs and is able to make a complete recovery.  

Have a great Wednesday!  A wonderful day to grab a victory and hop a plane for the Great Northwest!  Let's Go Yankees!