For the first time in a long time the New York Yankees are
actually relying on, and relying heavily on I might add, players from their
farm system. While I only give the Yankees half credit, they are turning to
their prospects because of injuries to their key veterans like Jacoby Ellsbury
and Andrew Miller to name a few and it’s too early in the season to take on
anyone else’s leftovers, the Yankees are using them nonetheless. The Yankees
aren’t the only team to turn to prospects in a time of need this season, it
seems like everyone is doing it. Byron Buxton came up with the Minnesota Twins
before suffering an injury while the Cubs finally called up Kris Bryant to anchor
their offense. I always thought this year would be remembered as the Year of
the Prospect and that thought was solidified when the American League and
National League All-Star rosters were announced.
All in all, and barring injury replacements and such, 10
players will be making their first trips to the All-Star Game in 2015 and many
of them, 35 players to be exact, are age 27 or younger. These numbers are
subject to change as well with the final vote still going on as the Yankees
left fielder Brett Gardner is eligible for his first All-Star Game appearance
as well if he wins the fan vote. Gardner could be potentially joining rookies
Joc Pederson and Kris Bryant for the National League and Brock Holt of the
Boston Red Sox for the American League.
It’s not all prospects though as AJ Burnett is a first-time
All-Star in his age 38, and final, season while 35 year old’s Albert Pujols and
Mark Teixeira are back in the game after being absent for a few years. Of
course there are snubs, Clayton Kershaw isn’t an All-Star for an example, while
Miguel Cabrera and Giancarlo are both slated to miss the game due to injuries.
The game should be entertaining and it should have some familiar faces from
around the league but it’s also going to have a ton of new faces to get to know
in 2015. The Year of the Prospect continues…
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)