And the New York Yankees are on the clock....
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Yankees pitcher Nova "feeling good" about his injured elbow
When Yankees right-hander Ivan Nova finally steps back onto a pitcher's mound, it will have been a long time since he had previously done so.
Nova, 28, will have likely missed over a year due to a severe elbow injury, the same one which forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery last season. Nova isn't expected to return until sometime between May and July this summer, and it's likely even when he does it will be with much caution.
Still, the veteran is managing to stay positive as the Yankees' 2015 campaign grows nearer, and had nothing but good things to say about his current recovery when asked about it Tuesday.
"I am feeling great," Nova told The New York Daily News' Wayne Coffey. "[The rehab] is going good. I just have to keep the process going."
As mentioned earlier, exactly when Nova will be able to put on pinstripes again is presently a mystery, and it seems one can only guess the approximate date for the moment. It usually takes around 9-12 months for hurlers like Nova to get back from Tommy John, a rather vague timetable.
Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild appears to be looking favorably at Nova's progress, but did acknowledge it will still be a while before he can compete again.
"He's doing fine, progressing through all the steps he has to, [but] he still has a ways to go," Rothschild said. "When he gets to be where he's supposed to be in a game, that's when we'll have a better idea."
While Nova is out, veteran lefty Chris Capuano is expected to occupy his spot in the rotation, probably serving in the no.5 role. In front of him, presumably, will be Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, CC Sabathia and Nathan Eovaldi in that order, each of whom is considered a question mark.
Yet Nova is confident that group can contend, and believes the Yankees are strong as they head into spring training.
"We have enough pitching. We have good starters. The bullpen is great," he said. "The team is in great shape."
"I am feeling great," Nova told The New York Daily News' Wayne Coffey. "[The rehab] is going good. I just have to keep the process going."
As mentioned earlier, exactly when Nova will be able to put on pinstripes again is presently a mystery, and it seems one can only guess the approximate date for the moment. It usually takes around 9-12 months for hurlers like Nova to get back from Tommy John, a rather vague timetable.
Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild appears to be looking favorably at Nova's progress, but did acknowledge it will still be a while before he can compete again.
"He's doing fine, progressing through all the steps he has to, [but] he still has a ways to go," Rothschild said. "When he gets to be where he's supposed to be in a game, that's when we'll have a better idea."
While Nova is out, veteran lefty Chris Capuano is expected to occupy his spot in the rotation, probably serving in the no.5 role. In front of him, presumably, will be Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, CC Sabathia and Nathan Eovaldi in that order, each of whom is considered a question mark.
Yet Nova is confident that group can contend, and believes the Yankees are strong as they head into spring training.
"We have enough pitching. We have good starters. The bullpen is great," he said. "The team is in great shape."
Will Jacob Lindgren reach the Major Leagues in 2015?
By Eddie Sapienza
The Yankees have a superb bullpen, without Minor League Star Jacob Lindgren. Lindgren was just drafted in the 2014 MLB Draft. He flew threw the Yankees Minor Leauge system in 2014. Now fans are wondering will he reach the Majors in 2015 at some point?
I absolutley think he will reach the Yankees Major League team at some point this season. Will he brought up in September or will he prove himself in Spring Training. It matters if he proves himself during Spring Training which I think he is capable of doing. When he plays in Spring he will be facing most of the guys who he usually faces in a typical MiLB game.
So he should be able to prove himself in Spring Training and start the season in the Yankees bullpen. With Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller going to be the setup man and closer Lindgren would fit perfectly as a 7th inning guy.
He has nasty pitches just like Betances and Miller and all three would make the best combination in baseball and the best bullpen in baseball with the arms they already have. If he's worthy of pitching well with the Yankees system he should be their. We saw how fast he flew through the Minor League system and if he can do that he can do good in the Major Leagues.
Three reasons why Lindgren should be in the Major Leagues:
• The way he flew through the Minor Leagues makes me confident that he is MLB worthy.
• Adding him to in my opinion the best bullpen in baseball is a huge reason why he should be in the Bronx in 2015
• Just the way he pitches in general is huge. He fits in perfectly with the rest of the Yankee bullpen. The guys in the bullpen strike guys out lots. That's the way he is and can fit perfectly. The ERA was low which shows he hardly gives up runs.
This guy is the real deal and I can't wait to see him this year if he can prove himself.
The Yankees have a superb bullpen, without Minor League Star Jacob Lindgren. Lindgren was just drafted in the 2014 MLB Draft. He flew threw the Yankees Minor Leauge system in 2014. Now fans are wondering will he reach the Majors in 2015 at some point?
I absolutley think he will reach the Yankees Major League team at some point this season. Will he brought up in September or will he prove himself in Spring Training. It matters if he proves himself during Spring Training which I think he is capable of doing. When he plays in Spring he will be facing most of the guys who he usually faces in a typical MiLB game.
So he should be able to prove himself in Spring Training and start the season in the Yankees bullpen. With Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller going to be the setup man and closer Lindgren would fit perfectly as a 7th inning guy.
He has nasty pitches just like Betances and Miller and all three would make the best combination in baseball and the best bullpen in baseball with the arms they already have. If he's worthy of pitching well with the Yankees system he should be their. We saw how fast he flew through the Minor League system and if he can do that he can do good in the Major Leagues.
Three reasons why Lindgren should be in the Major Leagues:
• The way he flew through the Minor Leagues makes me confident that he is MLB worthy.
• Adding him to in my opinion the best bullpen in baseball is a huge reason why he should be in the Bronx in 2015
• Just the way he pitches in general is huge. He fits in perfectly with the rest of the Yankee bullpen. The guys in the bullpen strike guys out lots. That's the way he is and can fit perfectly. The ERA was low which shows he hardly gives up runs.
This guy is the real deal and I can't wait to see him this year if he can prove himself.
Yoan Lopez Cleared & Able To Sign w/ MLB Teams
EDIT: Yoan is cleared to sign with any MLB team... get to work New York.
Yoan Lopez has officially been cleared to sign with any Major League club after the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control cleared the 21 year old late Friday. Lopez is now officially a true free agent that can sign with any team but keep in mind that he, like Yoan Moncada, will count against a team's international signing cap for the 2014/2015 signing period after spending just three years in the Serie Nacional.
Once again let's take a quick look through the TGP archives and call this your Sunday evening refresher on Mr. Yoan Lopez.
- Throw Another Yoan on the Pile
- Yankees will sign Yoan Lopez Too (poll)
ICYMI: Tamp Yankees Announce 2015 Coaching Staff
Tampa, Fla. - The New York Yankees Player Development office has officially announced the 2015 Tampa Yankees Field Staff. The team's new Manager will be Dave Bialas with Pitching Coach Tommy Phelps and Hitting Coach Tom Slater. Returning from the 2014 season are Coach JD Closser, Strength and Conditioning Coach Joe Siara, and Athletic Trainer Michael Becker. Dave Bialas begins his first season in the Yankees organization and enters his 44th season of professional baseball as either a player (1972-82) or coach/manager (1982-present). He has a minor league managerial record of 965-968 (.499), having previously managed in the Cardinals (1982-92) and Cubs (2000-01, 2012) systems. He has earned a league's "Manager of the Year" honor twice including with the Florida State League in 1987. He served as the Atlanta Braves minor league field coordinator from 2013-14. Bialas was selected by St. Louis in the fourth round of the 1972 First-Year Player Draft and spent his entire professional career in the Cardinals minor league system (1972-82). Tommy Phelps enters his eighth season as a coach in the Yankees organization and his first with Tampa. He spent six seasons as the pitching coach for Double-A Trenton (2009-14) after serving as the Yankees' minor league rehabilitation coach in 2008. Most recently, the Trenton pitching staff ranked second in the Eastern League in strikeouts in 2014 (1,093) and allowed the fewest home runs in 2013 (85). Phelps pitched for 14 seasons from 1993-2006 in the Montreal (1993-99), Detroit (2000-01), Florida (2002-04), Milwaukee (2005) and Yankees (2006) organizations. Tom Slater enters his seventh season as a coach or instructor in the Yankees organization and his first with Tampa. He most recently served as the Yankees' minor league hitting instructor in 2013 and 2014and was Double-A Trenton's hitting coach in 2012, helping the Thunder lead the Eastern League in home runs and slugging percentage. He managed short-season Single-A Staten Island in 2011, winning the NYPL Championship. He also served as the GCL Yankees manager in 2009 and 2010, leading the team to a first-place finish in '09. Prior to joining the Yankees, he spent four seasons (2005-08) as the head coach at Auburn University. JD Closser returns for a second season with Tampa after making his professional coaching debut with the club in 2014. In 2012 and 2013, he worked as a coach in the USA Baseball National Team Development Programs. Closser was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft and spent four seasons in the Diamondbacks' minor league system (1998-2001) before he was traded to the Rockies and spent five seasons in their organization (2002-06). Closser made his Major League debut on 6/30/04 and played in 36 games with Colorado that season. Michael Becker begins his fourth season as a trainer in the Yankees organization and second with Tampa. He worked with Single-A Charleston in 2013 and short-season Single-A Staten Island in 2012. He previously worked as an athletic training student intern at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes- Barre during the 2010 season and graduated from Ithaca College with a B.S. in athletic training in 2011. Joe Siara enters his third season as a strength and conditioning coach in the Yankees organization and his second with Tampa. He spent 2013 with short-season Single-A Staten Island. Siara graduated in 2006 from Indiana University with a degree in kinesiology and exercise science. In 2008, he received a master's degree in human performance from the University of Florida. |
Exclusive Interview With Alan Horne
Alan was one of the Yankees pitchers that seemed to be the "next big thing" but a shoulder injury set him back for good unfortunately. He did not let them keep him back or knock him down though and he continues to do his thing and live his life so kudos to him. Now on to the interview.
Was your dream as a child always to be a baseball player? If not then what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a baseball player as long as I can remember. I didn't really play other sports when I was younger besides soccer for a few years and it was more to get in shape for baseball season. I've always been kind of an all in or not at all person and baseball was the only sport I was like that with. When I wasn't playing I was hunting or fishing. Truth be told my dream as a little guys was to play baseball long enough that I could be famous enough to have my own hunting and fishing show. Aspirations of a small town country kid I guess.
What team did you root for growing up as a kid?
For whatever reason growing up I loves the cardinals. I have no idea why because I had absolutely no ties to them what so ever.
Favorite player(s) growing up?
My favorite players growing up were definitely Nolan Ryan, Mark McGwire, and Dale Murphy.
Your biggest inspiration when it came to baseball?
My biggest inspiration was definitely my dad. He was a heck of a ball player himself playing at Chipola Junior College and Florida State. Unfortunately he had his career derailed by injuries as well. He taught how to do things the right way from the very beginning. That was the only option I had and I have a deep respect for him teaching the game to me that way.
Favorite moment as a Yankees prospect?
My favorite moment would have to be the culmination of the 2007 season. I was lucky enough to have a great season, get named pitcher of the year, and go up to NY for several days after our season. I'll never forget that phone call from Cash congratulating me and telling me he would see me soon.
Who was the best prospect in the Yankees system that you ever played with?
You know I played with so many talented guys.....Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, David Robertson, Brett Gardner, Austin Jackson....it really goes on and on so it's hard to pick a best or favorite. If I had to pick a player and pitcher who I admired how they played the game and loved watching them play it would have been Brett and Ian. They are both ultimate competitors and even more outstanding guys. I'm still close with them to this day.
Do you keep in touch with any other current or former Yankees prospects or coaches?
I keep in touch with a lot of guys and a handful of coaches as well. Our lifestyle is a kind of fraternity I guess and will forever share bonds with the people we play with.
Hardest part of being a prospect?
Being a prospect was never hard for me because I was very goal oriented and had bigger hopes and dreams than any person could have had for me. Unfortunately things didn't work out but I got to leave the game knowing it wasn't that I wasn't good enough or I didn't work hard enough. Just some bad breaks and that's the way the game works.
Why did you decide to sign with the Yankees when they drafted you and not the Angels or the Indians?
Ya know what all three teams are great organizations and it was never about that. I tried to make the decision that was right for me at the time in each case. I'll be forever grateful to each for giving me an opportunity and extremely proud of being a Yankee for 7 years. Not everyone gets to be a part of the greatest organization in professional sports and I'll cherish every up and down that went with it.
Do you have plans to try and give baseball another shot? Do you have long term goals and plans for life after baseball?
Again unfortunately I'm done with baseball. My shoulder is to the point where it is pretty miserable for me just to play catch. I'd have to have another shoulder surgery just to try again and it just wasn't worth it after all I've been through. As for plans after baseball I'm currently in training to become a State Farm Agent in Jasper, Georgia. It would have been way too hard for me to stay in baseball after everything that happened. I don't think I could be around it everyday. And this is a great opportunity. Instead of coaching baseball it gives me a chance to coach people in financially structuring their lives so they too can one day have a chance to achieve all their hopes and dreams. It's something I'm very excited about and look forward to.
How are you adjusting to living in small town America?
Small town America is no adjustment for me. It's how I've lived my whole life and wouldn't have it any other way now that I am through with baseball
Most famous person in your cell phone?
Most famous person. I have no idea. I'll probably have to give my buddy Ian props on that one haha.
Most embarrassing song/artist in your ipod?
And as far as my iPod goes I'm quite prejudice in the fact that I have the best iPod ever assembled. No bad or embarrassing stuff on there haha.
Again we want to thank Mr. Alan Horne for taking the time for the interview. Guy is a great guy he has never shyed away from talking to me or taking the time for me on facebook and for this blog. It is also cool because I am 15 minutes away from his State Farm Office in Jasper, Georgia! Good luck in all your travels Alan and thank you again!
Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 Prospects List: #26
Prospects Month is in full swing and we're already up to our 26th best prospect in the farm system, Chasen Shreve.
Here is the write up from Kyle McDaniel on Shreve:
Chasen Shreve, LHP Video: Shreve was acquired with David Carpenterfrom Atlanta for Manny Banuelos and continues the off-season trend of the Yankees trying to create a young, controllable, power bullpen. Shreve works 90-93 and hits 94 mph with some sink, funk, deception and moxie, mixing in a solid average splitter and average slider. The 6’3/190 lefty took a step forward this year when he decided to up the effort a bit to throw harder and the results got much better; he should contribute to the big league pen this year.
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26. Chasen Shreve
27. Taylor Dugas
28. Johnny Barbato
Meet a Prospect: Didi Gregorius
Mariekson Julius “Didi” Gregorius was traded to the New York Yankees last week in a three team trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks in essentially cost the Yankees Shane Greene. Didi was born on February 18, 1990 and is one of only a handful of major league players ever to be born in Curacao. Didi has some rather large Nike Air Jordan’s to fill as he replaces the legendary Derek Jeter so let’s meet the man donned with the task.
Didi previously played for the Cincinnati Reds in 2012 and the Arizona Diamondbacks the past two seasons before coming to New York and is just 24 years old, 25 in time for the season to start. The Reds signed Gregorius as an amateur free agent in 2007 and stashed him in their minor league system until September of 2012 as he was one of many to make his debut as a part of September call ups. Gregorius made his major league debut five days later on September 5th and apparently did enough to garner enough interest from the Arizona Diamondbacks because the Snakes acquired Gregorius after the 2012 season.
The Reds, Cleveland Indians and Diamondbacks pulled off a three way trade in which the Reds acquired Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald while the Diamondbacks received Gregorius and relief pitcher Tony Sipp for a trio of pitchers they sent to Cleveland highlighted by Trevor Bauer and Matt Albers. Gregorius would hit his first career home run during that 2013 season with his new team inside Yankee Stadium conveniently against the Yankees and Phil Hughes. Gregorius spent much of his time in Arizona splitting time with the likes of Chris Owings and/or being assigned to Triple-A. Now Gregorius will get an everyday job, or pretty close to it, with New York and I think I speak for most when I say we’re happy to have him.
Welcome to the family Didi.
Looking at the 2015 Draft: 26th Best Prospect
Continuing our look at the 2015 MLB First Year Players Draft we take a look at the #26 ranked prospect expected to enter the draft. As always we will include the mini scouting report from MLB.com as we introduce the #26 prospect, Richie Martin. Martin is a shortstop for the University of Florida's Baseball team and is a Junior in 2015.
Here is the write up from MLB.com:
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50
College shortstops who can stay at the position in pro ball and produce at the plate are rare, but the 2015 Draft may have one in Martin. He struggled with the bat in his first two seasons at Florida and in his first summer in the Cape Cod League, but he gave cause for optimism by finishing second in the Cape in batting (.364) in 2014.
Martin got stronger and shortened his right-handed swing, and as he became more confident and aggressive, he began driving more balls to the gaps. He controls the strike zone reasonably well and has plus speed, making him a fit for the top of the order.
Martin has the range and arm strength to make most of the plays at shortstop, though he can get error-prone when he tries to do too much. Harvey Shapiro, his Cape League manager, said Martin covers more ground than Arizona Diamondbacks defensive stalwart Nick Ahmed, whom Shapiro also skippered on the Cape.
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26. Richie Martin
27. Kyle Tucker
28. D.J. Stewart
ICYMI: Luis Torrens Ranked 4th Best Prospect in NYPL
The New York Yankees catching prospect Luis Torrens has been ranked as the fourth best prospect in all of the New York Penn League. The Staten Island Yankees product is the only member of the organization to make the list after playing just 48 games with the SI Yanks. Torrens, just 18 years old, hit .270/.327/.405 with two home runs in 2014.
Torrens was praised for his defense behind the dish and especially for his throwing arm. Torrens really controlled the running game this season in Staten Island. While Torrens' offense is raw it shows signs of life and has many around the league intrigued, including the Yankees brass. Torrens may be the best catching prospect in the entire Yankees farm system, Gary Sanchez and John Ryan Murphy included.
This Day in New York Yankees History 2/3: Andy Pettitte Says Goodbye
On this day in 2011 at Yankee Stadium Andy Pettitte became the first member of the Core Four to announce his retirement. Andy was 38 years old and had a 240-138 record at the time in his sixteen year career.
Also on this day in 2002 the Yankees resigned catcher Jorge Posada to a five year deal after putting up a .277 average with 22 home runs and 95 RBI's the season before. Posada was asking for $7.75 million in arbitration which would have made him the second best paid catcher in baseball history.
Also on this day in 1998 the Yankees replace their outgoing general manager Bob Watson with current GM Brian Cashman. Watson was not with the Yankees long but did win the 1996 World Series with the team, the first since 1978.
Also on this day in 1989 Bill White is chosen to be the president of the National League replacing Bart Giametti. Giametti is leaving to become the commissioner of baseball. The appointment makes the former Yankees broadcaster and first basemen the highest ranking black executive in professional sports at the time.
Finally on this day in 1961 Charlie O. Finley douses a school bus in gasoline and sets it on fire in the left field parking lot at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. The school bus said "the Kansas City to New York shuttle" on the side of it and was meant to symbolize the end of the team sending all their talented young players to the New York Yankees for major league players past their prime. The Kansas City faithful truly resented that and the new owner of the A's vowed to end the practice.
Oh and New York fans may remember this happening on this day in 2008 as well.
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