STATEN ISLAND YANKEES RELEASE 2018 SEASON SCHEDULE

STATEN ISLAND YANKEES RELEASE 2018 SEASON SCHEDULE

Opening Day scheduled for Friday, June 15, against Brooklyn

STATEN ISLAND- The Staten Island Yankees are excited to announce the team's 2018 season schedule. The Baby Bombers kick off another action-packed summer for a 20th season of baseball on Staten Island, and it all begins at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George on Friday, June 15, as cross-bridge rival Brooklyn takes a trip over the Verrazano Bridge.

New for the upcoming season, two of the team’s five Sunday home games (June 17 – Father’s Day and Sept. 2 – Final Regular Season Home Game) will have a 1:30 p.m. first pitch. Also new for 2018, the Staten Island Yankees host a “Businessperson’s Special” with a unique 2 p.m. first pitch on Wednesday, Aug. 22. The Baby Bombers host three Camp Days with two 11 a.m. first pitch dates (Monday, July 16, and Thursday, Aug. 9) and one noon first pitch date (Wednesday, Aug. 1). Standard first pitch times for home games are 4 p.m. on Sundays and 7 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. Gates for Richmond County Bank Ballpark open to fans one hour prior to first pitch.

Along with a few new start times, highlights of the 2018 schedule include games on Father’s Day, Fourth of July, and six home contests against arch-rival Brooklyn.

Fans can reserve season tickets, partial plans and group outings for the 2018 season by contacting a Staten Island Yankees ticket rep at (718) 720-9265 or by email at tickets@siyanks.com. Contact us today to reserve your tickets or for more information about the 2018 season.

The Staten Island Yankees are the Single A-Short Season Affiliate of the New York Yankees and play at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The Staten Island Yankees are six-time New York-Penn League Champions (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011). For more information, visit siyanks.com.

-SIY-

As Charlie Sheen would say, "Winning!"...

Life is good on the Farm...

Before I begin, please let me apologize for busting out a Charlie Sheen quote.  But it did seem appropriate under the circumstances.  I knew that the Yankees' minor league teams were doing well, but I have to credit Sports Millennial for pointing out that the Yankees are the only team to have every minor league team, from Single A up to Triple A, in first place.

Triple A:  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Double A:  Trenton Thunder

Single A (Advanced):  Tampa Yankees

Single A:  Charleston RiverDogs

Single A (Short Season):  Staten Island Yankees

The Rookie League teams are not faring as well, but it is still a very impressive feat to have every minor league team from Class A to Triple A leading its respective division.  

Excellent work, Future Baby Bombers!  

This Day in New York Yankees History 3/7: Me Just Griping

There wasn’t any history or news to bring you on this day in New York Yankees history so instead I will use this opportunity to gripe just a little. It’s 5:00 AM and no one is reading this right now anyway so I should be good. I applied for media credentials with the Trenton Thunder, Staten Island Yankees, Tampa Yankees and others and have been denied. Why you ask? Because we’re just a blog, not a news gathering site.


What a load of, whatever. Their loss. Have a great day everybody!

Staten Island Yankees to Remain “Yankees” For Now

STATEN ISLAND TO REMAIN “YANKEES” FOR IMMEDIATE FUTURE

STATEN ISLAND- In June, we announced plans to change our team name for the first time since arriving on Staten Island in 1999. Change is never easy, especially when your name is associated with one of the most iconic brands in sports, the New York Yankees. It is a privilege to be the starting point for many young men trying to work their way to the Bronx, but operating as a minor league team in the same marketplace under the same moniker presents inevitable challenges, so we began seeking an identity of our own.

Since the announcement, our organization enthusiastically devoted its full effort into the research and planning related to this endeavor, but over time it became clear that the approval and acceptance of the new name and artwork would take longer than initially anticipated. With that taken into consideration, we decided to table the rebranding process for the upcoming season and remain the Staten Island Yankees in 2017.

“We had a favored name, logo and branding plan. We were prepared to move forward, but encountered obstacles that unfortunately delayed the process beyond industry deadlines. These delays also would have compromised the quality of the product we aim to bring our fans,” said Staten Island Yankees President Will Smith. “I always said that until there is a new name, we are the Yankees. That remains true today.”

“Nevertheless, the passion and enthusiasm for our community’s team that surfaced during this process has not gone unnoticed. Most important is what comes first in our name – Staten Island – and all monikers aside, our goal remains the same: To provide family-friendly entertainment in a safe, clean environment at an affordable price. We are taking many steps to make the experience at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George the best it has ever been in 2017, and can’t wait to share those steps with you in the coming months.”

The Staten Island Yankees are the Single A-Short Season Affiliate of the New York Yankees and play at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The Staten Island Yankees are six-time New York-Penn League Champions (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011). For more information, visit siyanks.com.

Staten Island Yankees release 2017 season schedule

STATEN ISLAND YANKEES RELEASE 2017 SEASON SCHEDULE

Opening Day scheduled for Monday, June 19, against Brooklyn

STATEN ISLAND- The Staten Island Yankees are excited to announce the team's 2017 season schedule. The Baby Bombers kick off another action-packed summer at home for a 16th season at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George on Monday, June 19, against cross-bridge rival the Brooklyn Cyclones. See the attached document for the entire 2017 schedule.

For the first time since 2013, Staten Island will open the season at home on a Monday (June 19) against Brooklyn. The team then returns to the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George on Saturday, June 24, for their first three-game series of the season as they take on division foe the Aberdeen IronBirds.

While fans will have to wait until early 2017 for the promotional schedule, dates such as July 4 vs. the Hudson Valley Renegades and the regular season home finale on Sept. 6 vs. Brooklyn should be games to mark in your calendar.

More information regarding our rebranding efforts will be available in the coming weeks.

Fans can reserve season tickets and partial plans for the 2017 season by contacting a Staten Island Yankees ticket rep at (718) 720-9265 or by email at tickets@siyanks.com. Contact us today to reserve your tickets or for more information about the 2017 season.

The Staten Island Yankees are the Single A-Short Season Affiliate of the New York Yankees and play at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The Staten Island Yankees are six-time New York-Penn League Champions (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011). For more information, visit siyanks.com.

Yankees Rank Three in Baseball America’s Top 20 Short Season/Rookie Ball Prospects List

The final prospect list from Baseball America that we will cover is the Short Season and Rookie Ball affiliates in Minor League Baseball. The Yankees have four short season and rookie ball affiliates including the Pulaski Yankees, the Gulf Coast Yankees 1 and 2 and the Staten Island Yankees but somehow the team only managed to send three to the list. According to reports I’ve read there are many Yankees that “just missed the cut” which makes sense for them and a lot of teams. Short season and rookie ball are for recently drafted prospects and international free agents who signed at 16-years old who are working their way towards the Major Leagues with a long road ahead. There are generally more questions than answers at this point so don’t look too much into these rankings either way unfortunately.

Blake Rutherford was the Yankees first round pick from this year’s draft and he was ranked #2 in the Appalachian League after just a few months there. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was the only prospect in front of him in the Appalachian League after Baseball America was quoted as saying Rutherford “performed like a college hitter.” For a High School hitter that’s quite the compliment.

Right behind Rutherford on that list was outfielder Estevan Florial, an 18-year old prospect who just made his debut in the United Sates. Florial has nice power with good speed all while playing a natural outfield. Florial has a long way to go and is a raw prospect by all accounts but he is closer than most at this same level.

The final prospect to make the list for the Yankees is shortstop, yes another shortstop, Diego Castillo of the Gulf Coast League. Castillo was the only Yankees prospect ranked in the Gulf Coast League prospects after showing some promise at the plate and in the field this season. 

Weekly Prospects Check In: Nick Solak

The penultimate weekly prospects check in for the 2016 regular season. That’s a lot of pressure on me to pick the final two prospects to be showcased, no? So who did I go with? A player that ended his season in Triple-A with a championship? A player at Double-A or down in Tampa who saw their season end prematurely in the postseason? Nope, I went with something a little different today and decided to showcase one of the Yankees who finished the season down in Staten Island after being the Yankees second round pick in the draft this year. Nick Solak.

Here is the stat line that Mr. Solak finished with this season. Looks like he should be a fast mover if all goes well in 2017 for him and the Yankees. 

Year	Age	Tm	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	21	Staten Island	64	279	48	77	13	3	25	8	30	39	.321	.412	.421	.833

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Staten Island Yankees Release Finalists for New Name Contest

STATEN ISLAND YANKEES RELEASE NEW TEAM NAME FINALISTS

Organization asks for fans to vote on final team name

STATEN ISLAND- After receiving more than 2,000 fan submissions during our “Name the Team” Contest, the Staten Island Yankees have narrowed it down to five finalists, one of which will be the new team name for the Staten Island franchise beginning in 2017. Fans can help select the new team name over the next two weeks by visiting www.siyanks.com/rebrand. The finalists below are presented in alphabetical order:



Bridge Trolls

Bridge Trolls commemorates the iconic bridges that connect Staten Island, while embracing the kind of wacky names Minor League Baseball is known for.


Heroes

The Heroes honors the civil servants and military personnel of Staten Island and New York who work tirelessly to uphold our American values.


Killer Bees

Killer Bees pays tribute to Staten Island's musical and cultural impact. Fans will be “buzzing" over our bee-themed promotions!


Pizza Rats

Like Staten Islanders and New Yorkers, these natives are tenacious, enterprising and know where to find the best food in the city.



Rock Pigeons

Another animal synonymous with the city, the Rock Pigeons celebrates Staten Island - known by locals as “The Rock."

Weekly Prospects Check In: Nick Solak

All quiet on the Nick Solak front since his drafting in the June Draft this season. We've checked in with him a few times but when the Yankees farm system got an injection of youth and talent at the top and the Yankees second round pick has gone by the wayside a little. That's not meant to be an insult towards Nick nor do I think it's disrespectful, we just went with the "flavor" of the week and now we're circling back. Welcome back to the rotation Nick.

Let's see what he has been up to:

Year	Age	Tm	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	21	Staten Island	55	237	41	64	10	3	20	8	25	30	.315	.409	.419	.828

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Press Release: Single-A Classification and Realignment Changes Coming to MiLB

Minor League Baseball Announces Realignment in its Single-A Classification 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Minor League Baseball today announced the Class-A Advanced Carolina League will add two teams for the 2017 season as part of a broader realignment at that level of play. The California League’s Bakersfield Blaze and High Desert Mavericks will cease operations at the completion of the 2016 season.

 
The 2017 season will see a return of professional baseball to Kinston, North Carolina. Kinston served as the home of Carolina League clubs from 1956-57, 1962-74 and 1978-2011. Several locations are under consideration for the second Carolina League club, with Fayetteville, North Carolina having made steady progress toward a stadium that would see play beginning with the 2019 season. Fayetteville served as the home of a Carolina League club from 1950-56, and as the home of a South Atlantic League club from 1987-2000. 

 
“This step was taken with the best interests of Minor League Baseball, both leagues and our Major League Baseball partners in mind,” said Minor League Baseball President & CEO Pat O’Conner. “California League President Charlie Blaney, Carolina League President John Hopkins and the club owners in both leagues worked to address this important issue and I thank them for their efforts. We are happy that professional baseball will return to Kinston and we are pleased with the steps Fayetteville has taken to bring professional baseball back to that great city as well.” 

 
The Kinston club will be owned by the Texas Rangers, who have a 12-year agreement with the city of Kinston to provide a team to play at historic Grainger Stadium. The city of Fayetteville recently approved a memorandum of understanding, a key step toward a new downtown ballpark. The affiliate and ownership of that club will be announced at a later date, and the club would play in a temporary location until the ballpark is completed. 

 
“The Texas Rangers are very happy to be bringing baseball back to the great city of Kinston and we want to thank Minor League Baseball and the Kinston leadership for helping us to make this a reality for 2017,” said Texas Rangers Ownership Committee Chairman Neil Leibman. “We are excited about creating the best fan experience possible at Grainger Stadium, and we look forward to working with the city of Kinston and its residents to make it a top Carolina League franchise.” 

 
“Realignment doesn’t happen often, and we are excited to be a part of this process that addresses some issues important to our industry,” said Carolina League President John Hopkins. “It’s flattering that clubs are making a major commitment to become part of our league, enabling us to return Carolina League baseball to an outstanding community where we have some memorable history and we look forward to selecting our 10th city in the near future.” 

 
“As a league we worked diligently to explore alternatives to realignment, but the lack of alternatives combined with the importance of this project to address broader issues within Minor League Baseball led us to help facilitate this realignment,” added California League President Charlie Blaney.   

“It is with great regret and reluctance that the Mavericks are one of two teams being contracted from the California League, as the Mavericks would prefer to remain in Adelanto as members of the California League,” said High Desert owner Dave Heller. “The uncertainty of the future, stemming directly from the City of Adelanto’s effort to lock us out of a ballpark for which we have a binding legal contract, creates too much uncertainty for next season and beyond. That uncertainty is simply unacceptable to the team, the other members of the California League, the Texas Rangers and Minor League Baseball. As a result, this unfortunate action had to be taken.” 

 
"Baseball has had a long and wonderful history in Bakersfield,” said Bakersfield owner D.G. Elmore. “I am sorry to see it come to a close."

Staten Island Yankees Send Three to All-Star Game

Solak, Bridges, Mahoney named New York-Penn League All-Stars

STATEN ISLAND- Three Staten Island Yankee players, Nick Solak, Drew Bridges and Kolton Mahoney, will represent the organization in the 2016 New York-Penn League All-Star Game on Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., home of the Hudson Valley Renegades.

Second baseman Nick Solak was the New York Yankees’ second round selection, 62nd overall, in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Louisville. Solak, a native of Woodridge, Ill., was named a 2016 Third-Team All-American byBaseball America after batting .376 with five home runs in 47 games at the Louisville. In his first professional season with Staten Island, Solak is batting .301 with three home runs, 15 RBIs and seven stolen bases in 39 games.

First and third baseman Drew Bridges is in his second season with Staten Island. Primarily a third baseman in 2015, Bridges played in 55 games, batting .211 with four home runs and 25 RBIs. The 2013 20th round pick has shown growth in 2016, adding a part-time role at first base while batting .308 with 12 doubles, four home runs and 22 RBIs in 43 games.

Pitcher Kolton Mahoney made a return to the Staten Island rotation in 2016, continuing his consistent success on the mound. After being drafted in 16th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Brigham Young University, Mahoney helped lead the Staten Island to a McNamara Division title, posting a 3-2 record with a 2.29 ERA. In 2016, the Utah native is 4-3 with a 2.42 ERA and tossed a complete game shutout against the Auburn Doubledays on July 31.

SCOOTER THE HOLY COW WINS STATEN ISLAND YANKEES’ PRESIDENTIAL POLL

SCOOTER THE HOLY COW WINS STATEN ISLAND YANKEES’ PRESIDENTIAL POLL

STATEN ISLAND- In a stunning upset at the Staten Island Yankees “Yanks Choose the President” Friday night, the Pinstripe Party’s Scooter the Holy Cow took down Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump with 44.4 percent of the fan vote.


Most experts ruled Scooter out of the race early in the week as third-party candidates usually don’t fare well in these early polls. With a voter turnout of 78 percent, Staten Island Yankee fans made their voices heard as the Yankees defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades, 6-4.


“The ‘Pinstripe Party’ has a nice ring to it. And those wearing pinstripes are used to winning and ‘rings’. We’re honored to be represented by Scooter the Holy Cow and thank our loyal fans for hoofing it to the polls tonight at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George,” said Staten Island Yankees team president Will Smith.


It was an unusually “blue” night for Staten Island, statistically New York City’s most Republican borough, as Clinton earned 30.7 percent of the vote against Trump’s 24.9 percent.


Scooter and the Pinstripe Party will continue their underdog campaign at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George all summer long with 16 rallies currently scheduled through Monday, Sept. 5. For tickets to the remaining rallies, supporters can visit www.siyanks.com.


The Staten Island Yankees are the Single A-Short Season Affiliate of the New York Yankees and play at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The Staten Island Yankees are six-time New York-Penn League Champions (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011). For more information, visit siyanks.com.

ICYMI: Luis Torrens and a Cautionary Tale for Greg Bird to Follow

The New York Yankees were stunned to find out during spring training this season that Greg Bird would miss the entire 2016 campaign with a torn labrum in his shoulder. Many thought the future was now for both the Yankees and for Bird as Mark Teixeira strolled into what could be his final season in the Bronx but the injury brings up more questions now than anyone has answers for. How will Bird’s shoulder react to playing first base? Can he once again drive the ball for power at the Major League level? Will he be ready in spring training 2017 or will the Yankees have to find a one-year stop gap to give Bird ample recovery time? Again more questions than answers but the Yankees have a cautionary tale for Bird to follow in fellow prospect and catcher, Luis Torrens.


Torrens missed the entire 2015 season with a similar torn labrum in his shoulder and has made his comeback to professional baseball this year. Torrens had the luxury of being assigned to short-season Staten Island in the New York-Penn League so he had a little more recovery and rehab time but he doesn’t look like he has needed it much. Torrens hit .311 and had a .360 on base percentage with the Staten Island Yankees before earning the promotion back to Charleston with the Riverdogs where, albeit in a small sample size, he has gotten even better.


This is both an encouraging sign for the Yankees as Torrens was once thought of as a better prospect and catcher than Gary Sanchez and for Bird who has a recent example to model his rehab and such by. Torrens seems better than ever and there is no reason, assuming all the stars align, that Bird can’t be either. It’s a cautionary tale though as Torrens has been back in Charleston for basically a week and back playing professional baseball for a couple a months now since the surgery.


It is worth mentioning that Torrens, while it may not seem like much to most, has to throw the ball back to the pitcher a good 150-200 times a day including warm up pitches, actual in-game pitches, bullpen sessions etc. Torrens also has to hit where Bird may really throw the ball maybe 50-100 times in a game and rarely at full strength. Torrens had a similar surgery and is holding up with all the extra wear-and-tear and you have to think Bird will be fine too. Every body is different, every injury is different and every surgery is different but Bird is young, athletic and he’s already working out and rehabbing the shoulder so he should be just fine in 2017. Fingers crossed.

Luis Torrens and a Cautionary Tale for Greg Bird to Follow

The New York Yankees were stunned to find out during spring training this season that Greg Bird would miss the entire 2016 campaign with a torn labrum in his shoulder. Many thought the future was now for both the Yankees and for Bird as Mark Teixeira strolled into what could be his final season in the Bronx but the injury brings up more questions now than anyone has answers for. How will Bird’s shoulder react to playing first base? Can he once again drive the ball for power at the Major League level? Will he be ready in spring training 2017 or will the Yankees have to find a one-year stop gap to give Bird ample recovery time? Again more questions than answers but the Yankees have a cautionary tale for Bird to follow in fellow prospect and catcher, Luis Torrens.

Torrens missed the entire 2015 season with a similar torn labrum in his shoulder and has made his comeback to professional baseball this year. Torrens had the luxury of being assigned to short-season Staten Island in the New York-Penn League so he had a little more recovery and rehab time but he doesn’t look like he has needed it much. Torrens hit .311 and had a .360 on base percentage with the Staten Island Yankees before earning the promotion back to Charleston with the Riverdogs where, albeit in a small sample size, he has gotten even better.

This is both an encouraging sign for the Yankees as Torrens was once thought of as a better prospect and catcher than Gary Sanchez and for Bird who has a recent example to model his rehab and such by. Torrens seems better than ever and there is no reason, assuming all the stars align, that Bird can’t be either. It’s a cautionary tale though as Torrens has been back in Charleston for basically a week and back playing professional baseball for a couple a months now since the surgery.

It is worth mentioning that Torrens, while it may not seem like much to most, has to throw the ball back to the pitcher a good 150-200 times a day including warm up pitches, actual in-game pitches, bullpen sessions etc. Torrens also has to hit where Bird may really throw the ball maybe 50-100 times in a game and rarely at full strength. Torrens had a similar surgery and is holding up with all the extra wear-and-tear and you have to think Bird will be fine too. Every body is different, every injury is different and every surgery is different but Bird is young, athletic and he’s already working out and rehabbing the shoulder so he should be just fine in 2017. Fingers crossed.

Press Release: Staten Island Yankees Present Special Olympics NYC Day

LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS TO CONCLUDE AT THE RICHMOND COUNTY BANK BALLPARK AT ST. GEORGE JULY 10

Staten Island Yankees hosting Special Olympics NYC Day, featuring special on-field jerseys 

STATEN ISLAND- On Sunday, July 10 at 4 p.m., the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George will serve as the finish line for the Staten Island leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics New York. During the Staten Island Yankees game against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers following the Torch Run, the team will wear special jerseys designed by Rodney Hankins, who has competed in bowling with Special Olympics NYC for over 20 years. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off during the game with all proceeds going to Special Olympics NYC.



LETR for Special Olympics is the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. At its most basic level, the Torch Run is an actual running event in which officers and athletes run the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of local & statewide Special Olympics competitions. Annually, more than 85,000 dedicated, compassionate and volunteer law enforcement officers participate in the torch run throughout 35 nations, 12 Canadian provinces and 50 US States, raising more than $50 million for local Special Olympics programs in 2015 and over $500 million since its inception in 1981.



2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in New York State. This year, over 200 officers and athletes ran in the Queens leg on June 4th, into the annual Metro Tournament at Queens College. On Sunday, July 10, local officers and local athletes will run in the second LETR leg in Staten Island, making this the first ceremonial run for the borough. These officers and athletes will carry the Flame of Hope into the Staten Island Yankees game to throw the ceremonial first pitch at 3:45 p.m. For more information, please visit www.nycletr.kintera.org.



Gates for Sunday’s baseball game open at 3 p.m. with first pitch occurring at 4 p.m. Prior to the game, mascots from across the New York Metro area will be in ballpark for a pre-game event as part of “Scooter’s Summer Olympics” sponsored by Fidelis, then will escort Special Olympics NYC athletes to the field for various in-game activities. Attending the event are mascots from organizations including the College of Staten Island, Seton Hall, Fidelis, Trenton Thunder and more. Also in attendance will be Chad Spencer and Chris Hall from Hulu’s “Behind the Mask”. For tickets to the Sunday’s game, fans can visit www.siyanks.com or call 718-720-9265.

Staten Island Yankees to Rebrand in 2017

STATEN ISLAND YANKEES TO REBRAND FOR 2017 SEASON

Organization asks for fan input on new team name

STATEN ISLAND- In 1999, the Staten Island Yankees were introduced to New York’s “forgotten borough”, giving baseball fans from the Island a professional sports team to call their own. After two seasons playing at the College of Staten Island, the Baby Bombers moved into their cozy new waterfront stadium, the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George, where the team is celebrating 15 seasons of unforgettable baseball in 2016.

Since our first season 17 years ago, we have proudly donned the iconic Yankees pinstripes and worn our parent club’s world-recognized name across our chest. Under the Yankees’ moniker, we’ve won six New York-Penn League titles, the most of any team in our league.

In 2017, Staten Island’s team will take on an identity of its own, and we want our community to help usher in that change.

“This ballpark is a jewel located in a passionate community in the best setting in sports. The Staten Island community is proud to have our team here, and we believe rebranding the team to something more specific will make this local brand become more popular here, and ultimately internationally. We are very proud to be Yankees, but equally proud to be part of this community. What moniker best represents this city, borough and team? You tell us! We want to encompass the passion, cultures, tradition and pride of Staten Island, New York,” said Team President/Operating Partner Will Smith.

While our name will change, our proud affiliation with the New York Yankees remains the same, and the road to the Bronx still goes through Staten Island. We look forward to many more years of our championship-winning relationship with the Yankees.

The process begins Monday, June 20. Fans are encouraged to submit their nomination for the team's new identity atwww.siyanks.com/rebrand, along with an explanation of why they feel their nomination best represents the borough of Staten Island and its community. Fans have until Tuesday, July 5, at noon to submit their nominee. The top six choices will be entered into a contest to vote for the new team name. One fan who submits an entry will win two (2) 2017 season tickets, an official team jersey, and the opportunity to throw out the first pitch on Opening Day 2017.

***

The Staten Island Yankees are the Single A-Short Season Affiliate of the New York Yankees and play at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The Staten Island Yankees are six-time New York-Penn League Champions (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011). For more information, visit siyanks.com.

This Day in New York Yankees History 3/7: Me Just Griping

There wasn’t any history or news to bring you on this day in New York Yankees history so instead I will use this opportunity to gripe just a little. It’s Midnight and no one is reading this right now anyway so I should be good. I applied for media credentials with the Trenton Thunder, Staten Island Yankees, Tampa Yankees and others and have been denied. Why you ask? Because we’re just a blog, not a news gathering site.


What a load of, whatever. Their loss. Have a great Sunday everybody!

TGP Prospects Month Top 29 Prospects List - #4 James Kaprielian

What can you say about the Yankees first pick, 16th overall, in the 2015 MLB First year Players Draft that hasn't already been said? James Kaprielian was taken 16th overall out of UCLA in last years draft and was deemed MLB ready out of the draft. New York needed a fast riser and they got one in Kaprielian who could reach the Major Leagues as soon as the 2016 season. Kaprielian did nothing last year to keep any of the Yankees brass up at night after spending time in the Gulf Coast League and in the New York/Penn League with the Staten Island Yankees.

Kaprielian was considered to be a middle-of-the-rotation type starter as his ceiling with a fastball that sat around 92 MPH but somehow Kaprielian has found a couple ticks in his velocity getting up to 94-95 MPH consistently. If Kaprielian can keep this velocity and cut down on the 7.7 BB/9 ratio he had with the GCL Yankees, and he did in Staten Island in a larger sample size, he could easily be a #2 starter if he reaches his ceiling.

By the way, because I've heard about every pronunciation of his name possible thus far, the Yankees 4th best prospect on our Top Prospects List is pronounced as if it was spelled Kaprilian.

4. James Kaprielian
5. Robert Refsnyder
6. Domingo Acevedo
7. Dustin Fowler
8. Wilkerman Garcia
9. Ian Clarkin
10. Brady Lail
11. Jacob Lindgren
12. Bryan Mitchell
13. Drew Finley
14. Mason Williams
15. Slade Heathcott
16. Abi Avelino
17. Hoy-Jun Park
18. Luis Torrens
19. Cale Coshow
20. Chance Adams
21. Miguel Andujar
22. Jonathan Holder
23. Tyler Wade
24. Nick Rumbelow
25.Jordan Montgomery
26.Trey Amburgey
27. Ben Gamel
28. Austin DeCarr
29. Thairo Estrada
30. James Pazos

Meet a Prospect: James Kaprielian

With their first pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball First Year Players Draft the New York Yankees selected RHP James Kaprielian out of UCLA with the 16th overall pick. Kaprielian is said to be the most polished college pitcher in all of the draft and will likely, if healthy and effective, be the quickest moving pitcher in this year’s draft with a possible ETA as soon as late in the 2016 season. Obviously this is all contingent on if he signs but college pitching usually doesn’t have that sign-ability risk with them so it almost seems like a done deal to many fans. Even after Kaprielian signs his contract he is not officially a member of the Yankees family until we say he is, and we say he is with a Meet a Prospect post on the blog, the James Kaprielian Edition.


James Douglas Kaprielian was born on March 2, 1994 in Laguna Hills, California to parents Douglas and Barbara Kaprielian and has one sibling, a sister Alison Kaprielian. Kaprielian is a right handed pitcher that stands 6’4” and weighs in at 200 lbs. fitting the Yankees profile of big framed Southern California pitching to come over to the team. Kaprielian spent his high school years at Beckham High School before attending UCLA for the past three seasons. Kaprielian is a four pitch pitcher who uses an 88-92 MPH fastball to offset his changeup, curveball and slider and keeps batters off balance. His changeup is considered to be his best pitch and his out pitch which has drawn some comparisons to another Yankee draft pick Ian Kennedy. Kennedy flew through the Yankees system after being drafted in 2005 and was in the major leagues by 2006 and Kaprielian may follow a similar path if healthy and effective.


In three seasons with UCLA Kaprielian posted a 17-10 record as a starter and a relief pitcher with a 2.06 ERA. Kaprielian started 31 games for the Bruins while coming out of the bullpen for the other 35 contests. Kaprielian came into the draft riding a hot streak of sorts posting a 2.02 ERA and a 10-4 record in his last 16 starts of his junior season striking out 114 batters in just 106.2 innings pitched. Kaprielian finished sixth all-time in Bruins history in strikeouts with 275 while leading the Pac-12 in wins (10) and K’s (114) in his 2015 season finishing strong before the draft. Kaprielian has thrown the full nine innings three separate times in his career including when he threw nine no-hit innings to combine with teammate David Berg for a ten inning no-hitter, the first in school history.

Kaprielian was not the sexy name coming out of the draft like Ashe Russell or the household name like Dansby Swanson or Brady Aiken but he did nothing to disappoint in his first professional season. Kaprielian saw a uptick in velocity as he dominated the lower levels of the Yankees minor league system. Kaprielian is considered MLB ready now and could be with the big league club as soon as August or September of 2016, 2017 for sure. The future is bright in New York and it starts with James Kaprielian in the starting pitching department. 

TGP Prospects Night Open Thread featuring Dellin Betances

I know it's not Throwback Thursday but this post was too good to pass up. This video follows around and showcases current Yankees reliever Dellin Betances just a year after the team took him out of high school in Brooklyn, New York. Dellin was a starter at the time and received the nod to be the Staten Island Yankees Opening Day starter for the 2007 season. This video showcases Dellin in an interview with the big right-hander, members of the Yankees minor league coaching staff and a whole lot more. If you have a minute, or six, take the time to watch this and reminisce about the time Dellin Betances was a Yankees prospect and a starter rather than the dominant relieve that we all know and love today. I hope you have a great night and fellas, time to go Valentines Day shopping...