Saturday, February 21, 2015

Yankees Prospects & Something to Think About


Pictures borrow from It is High....



Yankees Released RHP Elvin Perez


The New York Yankees have released RHP Elvin Perez from their minor league system after signing him as an International Free Agent in 2010 at 19 years old. Perez spent three seasons in the Yankees Dominican Summer League before heading to the United States and the Gulf Coast Yankees. Perez spent time splitting between starting and pitching out of the bullpen before finishing his season in 2014 with the Staten Island Yankees.

Perez is now a free agent to sign with whoever he wants if offered a contract. Perez finished his Yankees stint with a 7-17 record and 3.45 ERA in 193 IP in four seasons.

Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 Prospects List: #8


Prospects Month is in full swing and we're already up to our 8th best prospect in the farm system, Ian Clarkin.  Clarkin I think could be the future in the Yankees starting rotation from the left side. I am thinking the next CC Sabathia in his prime or Andy Pettitte. I could be over-hyping him but I think that highly of him. 

Here is the write up from Kyle McDaniel on Clarkin:


Ian Clarkin, LHP Video: Clarkin doesn’t have the typical projectable frame of most 1st round prep arms, but he has more feel and current stuff than his peers. After going 33rd overall in 2013, Clarkin had a nice full season debut in 2014, working 90-93 and hitting 95 mph, with an above average to plus curveball and a changeup that drastically improved to now regularly flash average. There’s 3rd/4th starter upside here and there’s reason to optimistic as Clarkin is young for his level and is getting results and ground balls due to above average stuff and feel.

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8. Ian Clarkin
9. John Ryan Murphy
10. Luis Torrens
11. Tyler Austin
12. Bryan Mitchell
13. Miguel Andujar
14. Eric Jagielo
15. Jake Cave
16. Austin DeCarr
17. Tyler Wade
18. Juan DeLeon
19. Dante Bichette Jr.
20. Domingo German
21. Slade Heathcott
22. Nick Rumbelow
23. Jose Ramirez
24. Ramon Flores
25. Gosuke Katoh
26. Chasen Shreve
27. Taylor Dugas

28. Johnny Barbato

Meet a Prospect: Chase Headley


As many of you know we like to introduce you to Yankees prospects you may or may not know, especially during our Prospects Month every February. That evolved into also catching up with current Yankees who are established players while looking back at those players while they were coming up. Today Chase Headley gets officially added to the mix as The Greedy Pinstripes present Meet a Prospect: The Chase Headley edition. Enjoy!

Chase Jordan Headley was born on May 9, 1984 in Fountain Colorado and spent his high school career at Fountain-Fort Carson High School in Fountain, Colorado. Headley graduated in 2002 as the valedictorian as a two sport star in both baseball and basketball. Headley was a three time Colorado All-State player and was named to the South Metro All-League team all four seasons there. Headley took home Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2002 from the Colorado Spring Gazette and was selected to play in the Colorado Rockies Senior All Star Game. Headley would hit a home run in his first at bat and bounced around the Colorado Rockies Select Scout Team before heading to the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California where he transitioned from shortstop to third base.

In 2003 Headley transferred to the University of Tennessee where he suffered a meniscus surgery on his knee and a lengthy hamstring injury that hampered his season. Headley recovered quickly enough to draw 62 walks to break Todd Helton's 1995 school record and flirted with the college's single season record for on base percentage. Headley was named the team's Most Valuable Player in 2003 while also being honored as an Academic All-American with a 3.63 GPA majoring in Sports Management. Headley's hard work paid off as he was drafted in the second round of the 2005 MLB draft by the San Diego Padres.

Headley played well in his first professional season in 2006 and was sent to the Arizona Fall League as the only player there who had not yet reached Double-A. Headley was quickly donned the Padres best prospect and responded with a 2007 Texas League Player of the Year award after hitting .330/.437/.580 with an insane 1.016 OPS while leading the league in many stats. His 2007 season earned him an invite to 2008 Spring Training camp and Headley responded well again hitting .371 and leading the team with 12 RBI before being sent down to Triple-A to learn left field. Headley lasted only 65 games while hitting 13 home runs before the Padres called him up to the big leagues.

Headley was called up on June 15, 2007 after hitting .357 to replace the injured Kevin Kouzmanoff. Headley would only stay up for eight games but would collect his first major league hit two days later against the Chicago Cubs. Headley would ultimately get called back up and finish the season in the majors before starting 2008 back in the minors. Headley was not long for the minors and got called back up on June 17, 2008 and immediately wen't 2-4 at Yankee Stadium. Headley would hit a home run the next night in Yankee Stadium off Kyle Farnsworth and would finish the season with a .269/.337/.420 triple slash with nine home runs. Headley would start the 2009 season in the major leagues as the Padres starting left fielder and would put up a .262 average in his first full season with 12 home runs and 64 RBI. The Padres traded Kevin Kouzmanoff before the 2010 season opening the third base position up for Headley to take over full time.

Headley had another typical Headley season in 2011 but started to come into his own in 2011 when he batted .289/.374/.399 before an injury robbed him of some of his season and his power. Headley finished with only four home runs in 381 at bats but led the National League in putouts at third base. Headley really broke out in 2012 which led to the trade rumors. Headley finished 2012 with a .286/.376/.498 triple slash with 31 home runs, 173 hits, 115 RBI and was named the Padre Player of the Year by the San Diego chapter of the  Baseball Writers Association of America. Headley won the Gold Glove Award at third base and also won the Silver Slugger Award for all third basemen. Headley would finish in fifth place in the NL MVP vote and also won the MLB Breakout Hitter of the Year Award.

Headley looked to build on his huge 2012 season in 2013 but started the season by fracturing the tip of his left thumb in spring training when it got caught under the second base bag while sliding into the base. He started the season on the disabled list and missed a month with the thumb. Headley also tore his meniscus in his left knee during the season although he played through it. His production suffered as Headley ended the season with less than stellar numbers and underwent arthroscopic surgery on the knee during the offseason.

Headley had a slow start to the 2014 season including battling some back pain but has hit near .300 after receiving an epidural in the back. Headley was traded to the Yankees yesterday for Yangervis Solarte and Rafael DePaula and looks to start a new chapter in his baseball career with New York. Headley did enough to garner a new four year deal with the team this offseason to be the every day third baseman for the Yankees. 

Are the Yankees retiring too many numbers?

The Yankees recently retired the numbers 20, 46, and 51, which are the numbers of Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte and and Bernie Williams. Some fans are saying that the Yankees have retired too many numbers. In this article I'll talk about whether that is true or not.

The Yankees are the best franchise in baseball and they've had all the best players. With all those greats, their numbers need to be retired to honor them. Some fans are making the joke, "get the triple digit numbers ready," which isn't funny and is just plain dumb. With all the Yankee greats, they have to honor them due to their great work with the team.

As of now, the Yankees do have enough numbers available not in triple digits. I agree with all the numbers the Yankees have retired except Pettitte. He took steroids and that makes the Yankees look like they are supporting cheating.That is one number that shouldn't be retired.

Jeter's number will definitely be retired and that will also mean one less number. Let's take a look at the Yankees retired numbers.
#1
#3
#4
#5
#7
#8
#9
#10
#15
#16
#23
#32
#37
#42
#44
#49

With three more added to this list, and soon Derek Jeter, I see plenty of numbers available.  So fans shouldn't be complaining, because there are still many numbers up for grabs.

 [yop_poll id="6"]

Looking at the 2015 Draft: 8th Best Prospect



Continuing our look at the 2015 MLB First Year Players Draft we take a look at the #8 ranked prospect expected to enter the draft. As always we will include the mini scouting report from MLB.com as we introduce the #8 prospect, Daz Cameron. Cameron is a right handed outfielder spending his time at Eagle's Landing Christian Academy in Georgia. 



Here is the write up from MLB.com:


Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 60 | Overall: 55

An 18th-round pick in 1991, Mike Cameron overcame those humble Draft roots to win three Gold Gloves, make an All-Star team and hit four homers in a big league game. His son won't have to wait nearly as long to hear his name called in 2015.

One of just three players ever selected to play in two Under Armour All-America Games, Cameron emerged as a potential No. 1 overall pick as a sophomore. While his upside has leveled off a bit since then, he still profiles as a center fielder who could have at least solid tools across the board. In addition to his physical ability, he shows fine instincts in all phases of the game.

Cameron should have at least average big league power, but he doesn't worry about home runs at this point. The Florida State recruit laces line drives all over the field with a short right-handed swing and plenty of bat speed. While he's not a blazer, he can steal a few bases and chases down balls in the gaps.


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8. Daz Cameron
9. Dansby Swanson
10. Ashe Russell
11. Justin Hooper
12. Carson Fulmer
13. Alex Bregman
14. Nick Plummer
15. Trenton Clark
16. Ian Happ
17. Phil Bickford
18. Mike Nikorak
19. Kyle Cody
20. Cody Ponce
21. Riley Ferrell
22. Chris Betts
23. James Kaprielian
24. Jake Lemoine
25. Beau Burrows
26. Richie Martin
27. Kyle Tucker
28. D.J. Stewart

ICYMI: NJ.com's Top 20 Yankees Prospects List


NJ.com released their Top 20 Yankees prospect list and here it is. Click the link to see the write ups and to give those guys a view or two, they do great work and deserve it. Here is the list:





  1. Luis Severino
  2. Gary Sanchez
  3. Aaron Judge
  4. Robert Refsnyder
  5. Ian Clarkin
  6. Eric Jagielo
  7. Jacob Lindgren
  8. Manny Banuelos
  9. Butch Wynegar (this must be a mistake)
  10. Tyler Austin
  11. Bryan Mitchell
  12. Jake Cave
  13. Greg Bird
  14. Ramon Flores
  15. Jose Ramirez
  16. Slade Heathcott
  17. Gosuke Katoh
  18. Mason Williams
  19. Ty Hensley
  20. Austin DeCarr

This Day in New York Yankees History 2/21: Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?


Two days in a row without any news to report really bothers me but that is the sad realization that late February is bringing us. Maybe we can make some history today in 2015 so I have something to write about next year. But hey, at least it’s the weekend right? I’m going to a “Frozen” birthday party today and looking at the weather I may see Elsa and Olaf. Enjoy the day and if you wanna build a snowman, build one.