Thursday, December 20, 2012

End Of The World Music Recommendation

With the Mayans prediction of the world ending tomorrow I figured I would get this in as one last ditch effort to whore up some views for the blog. Enjoy the song and hope for the best tomorrow!


Omar Luis Having Visa Issues

According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, Omar Luis is having trouble obtaining a visa after using documents claiming permanent Haitian residency. The problem is that Haitian documents are notoriously unreliable, and it's common knowledge that Omar has lived and trained in the Dominican Republic.

Luis is the 20 year old Cuban left-handed pitcher that the Yankees signed for $4 million, before the new CBA came into affect... which limited spending on international free agents. Here is Ben Badler's scouting report...

Luis, 19, has a five-pitch mix, stands out for his pitchability and scouts have lauded him for his competitiveness on the international circuit. His fastball ranges from 86-92 mph and touched 93 at a recent workout with solid sink and run. Luis doesn’t have a knockout pitch, but he mixes his stuff well, attacks hitters aggressively and throws strikes to all quadrants of the zone, though he does have a head whack when he finishes his delivery. His 73-78 mph curveball flashes average and he’ll use it against both lefties and righties, though some scouts prefer his changeup. He’ll mix in the occasional slider and cutter as well. Luis is listed at 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, and he’s a stocky guy who will have to always stay on top of his conditioning…

Given his age and experience level, Luis would likely report as high as low Class A Charleston, though he still must be able to acquire a visa, so it’s not certain when Luis will be able to begin his career. Luis, like Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, is represented by Bart Hernandez of Praver Shapiro Sports Management.

AJ Pierzynski Comes Off Board, Signs W/ Texas


AJ Pierzynski and the Texas Rangers have agreed upon a one year deal for the 2013 season and yet another Yankees option comes off the board. I guess there might actually be some validity to the "Austin Romine to start for the Yankees" reports and rumors from earlier. No details on the money and such so check back for that update.

The 2013 Starting Catcher: Austin Romine?

UPDATE: After doing a bit of digging I was able to find this tweet from Jon Heyman...


I can't find any sources for this information, but I read that the Yankees are currently thinking about having Austin Romine be the starting catcher.

This isn't news that makes me really excited, but I would look forward to seeing what the kid could do. Austin hasn't torn up AAA ball, but he wouldn't be the first guy to do well in the majors after a lackluster minor league career.

Prospect : Dugas, Segedin, Butler, Pope & Johnson

My friend over at Pro Sports Daily forums posted five guys that he really likes that are not really well known names down in the Yankees system. I really enjoyed reading this so, with his permission, I figured I would share with you guys as well. I encourage you all to click HERE and check out the original post to show him some love and to check out the stats that he posted that are not copying over here well. Enjoy the list!


5 non-prospects (more than likely organizational guys) that I like

1- Taylor Dugas - 5'8 / 170 lbs / 23 / Bats: Left, Throws: Left

8th round pick of the Yankees this year. Plus K-Zone discipline, advanced approach at the plate, solid hit tool (career .360 hitter in college as well in the SEC) carry him offensively. He has little to no power. Defensively, he has above average speed and arm strength. He has a ceiling of a 4th OF, maybe a starter on a lower-tier team. His intangibles and competitiveness are all off the charts. He's probably an organizational guy but I really like his game.

2- Rob Segedin - 6'3 / 220 / 24 / Bats: Right, Throws: Right

3rd round pick of the Yankees in 2010. Segedin played 3B/LF/RF this year in Hi-A and AA ball. He's a contact oriented hitter. He has an advanced approact at the plate and takes the ball the other way pretty well. He has a strong throwing arm and is an an average defender at both 3B and in the outfield. He doesn't have the necessary power to play either a corner OF or INF position which limits his ceiling.

3- Saxon Butler - 6'2 / 239 / 22 / Bats: Left, Throws: Left

Drafted by the Yankees in the 33rd round of this year's draft. The guy can mash. He makes consistent contact with the ball and hits it hard. No value on defense or in the running game. His numbers took a hit after he was promoted to Charleston mid-season. 

4- Ryan Pope - 6'3 / 205 / 26 / Bats: Right, Throws: Right

Time's running out for him. He had some bad BABIP luck in 2012. Gave up a bit too many hits. His other peripherals (specifically K/9, BB/9 ratios) were elite. Fastball sits 91-93 and he commands it well. Has a change-up and curveball that he commands well, though neither are anything more than average pitches. He might have the best pitching deliver in the entire system. Quick, effortless, efficient.

5- Cody Johnson - 6'4 / 240 / 23 / Bats: Left, Throws: Right

Former 1st round pick of the Braves in 2006. He has tons of power from the left side, especially against right handed pitching (.512 SLG and .864 OPS against RHP last season in AA). Still fairy young. Doesn't offer anything else though especially defensively or on the basepaths. Needs to improve plate discipline. Pinch hitter / platoon player is his ceiling.