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.

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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.

Castro Walks Off Rockies, Yanks Score Five Unanswered in 9-8 Comeback

     On an absolutely beautiful afternoon in Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees tried to salvage a victory in the final game of the two game series with the Colorado Rockies. Carsten Charles Sabathia took the ball for New York this afternoon, carrying alongside a leak best 0.82 ERA and his last seven starts. For Colorado, rookie Jon Gray got the nod to lock down the fourth when against New York in the final time the two teams will face each other. Gray has pitched to a 3-4 record and a 4.55 ERA so far this season. Neither starter would factor into the decision as balls were flying all over the ballpark in this back and forth contest.
     The Rockies attempted to put the first runs of the game on the board in the top of the first when Nolan Aranado singled to left field with Charlie Blackman on second base. But, a phenomenal throw by Brett Gardner cut Blackman down at the plate, keeping the game scoreless. In last night's competition, the Yankees were 0-11 with runners in scoring position, and early on in the bottom of the first continued the trend when Alex Rodriguez struck out to end the frame, stranding Brett Gardner on second base.
     In the bottom of the second, the Yankees hit the scoreboard in grand style against the Colorado rookie right-hander. Gray let off the frame by walking Brian McCann, who advanced to second base when Starlin Castro singled to left field off of shortstop Trevor Story's glove. Gray then walked Gregorius and put his team in a 4-0 hole when Chase Headley launched a first-pitch fastball into Monument Park for a grand slam.
     The Rockies would quickly respond as they came back to take the lead. In the top of the third C.C. allowed a leadoff single to Nick Hundley, who advanced to third base when the next batter Brandon Barnes attempted to bunt for a hit but reached when Sabathia air-mailed the throw into right field. Charlie Blackmon then single to center, scoring both Hundley and Barnes and pulling the Rockies to within two. Colorado would take the lead in the top of the fourth when Nick Huntley tagged Sabathia for a three-run shot to left that plated Story and Reynolds, making it a 5-4 ballgame.
     New York would again have to dip into the bullpen early as C.C. Sabathia just did not have his good stuff today, departing with a final line of 4.1 innings pitched, allowing six runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out two. Anthony Swarzak came on in relief of Sabathia, inheriting a runner on first from the big left-hander. Trevor Story doubled in Carlos Gonzalez from first base, 6-4, and then scored when Ryan Raburn belted a homerun over the fence in centerfield, extending the  Rockies lead to four.
     The Yanks knocked Jon Gray out of the ballgame in the bottom of the fifth inning as they attempted to mount a comeback. Gray walked Brett Gardner and then drilled Carlos Beltran with an errant slider. The righty was then lifted in favor of former starter Jordan Lyles, who promptly struck out Alex Rodriguez and got Brian McCann to bounce into an inning ending double play. Lyles pitched a scoreless sixth but let New York back in the game when he served up a three run blast to Carlos Beltran that scored Refsnyder and Gardner, bringing the Bombers to within one. Boone Logan replaced Lyles and allowed a ground rule double to McCann and was immediately pulled for right-hander Miguel Castro. Castro promptly gave up a hit to Starlin Castro that advanced McCann to third. The Yankees completed their comeback when Didi Gregorius lined a single into left that scored McCann and tied the game at eight.
      Because of the recent losing streak and the fact that tomorrow is a day off, all three members of No Runs DMC combined to hold the Rockies scoreless through the final three frames, with each guy striking out two. Starlin Castro  sealed the victory when he launched a walkoff homerun into the second deck in left. ending the roller coaster of an afternoon in the Bronx.
     New York has the day off tomorrow and will begin a three-game series wih the Minnesota twins, with the first pitch scheduled for Friday night at 7:05 PM ET.
   

Fantasy Baseball: Summer Prospect Call Ups

So you want to win your Fantasy Baseball league but you’re struggling right now? Have no fear, the season is still young and there is plenty of young talent toiling in the minor leagues just chomping at the bit to get called up to the majors. If the trade waiver or free agent waiver have yet to bear any fruit for you this season then maybe you should watch these teams transactions pages and lookout for these players that are likely coming up to the Major Leagues this season. All of them could have huge impacts on their teams, the playoff races and your fantasy teams. 

We’ve already seen the Cubs kick off the summer prospect call up frenzy with the call up of Willson Contreras so if he’s still sitting out there on your free agent market then he may be worth the look. It’s unlikely though that the Cubs #2 prospect is still on the board as a catcher and for good reason. He’s an intriguing prospect that can field his position as well as knock the cover off the ball as we saw in his first game Sunday night against A.J. Schugel. If he’s there snatch him up, especially at his position and especially if you’re in a keeper league. 

Speaking of the Cubs they have another guy who is likely to come up this season and stay up in Albert Almora. When Jorge Soler went down with an injury Almora was the first to be called up and the sixth overall pick in 2012 and the Cubs sixth best prospect according to Baseball America may hit enough to force Soler to the Yankees or another team in a trade this summer. Almora is just 22-years old but to watch him play you would think he’s been in the show for 22 years. Snatch him up if you have an extra outfield slot on your team. 

Another position that is traditionally thin in fantasy baseball but has a pair of players that are slated to make big impacts and last impacts in the bigs is the shortstop position. The Chicago White Sox have already designated Jimmy Rollins for assignment to begin the Tim Anderson era while many in Washington are wondering when the Trea Turner era will begin for the Nationals. Both are big stars and impactful stars not only to their teams but could be to your playoff push in fantasy baseball as well.  

That’s enough with the position players, what if you need pitching? Well Jameson Taillon is likely already off your boards after the Pittsburgh Pirates called him up but he may stick around even after Gerrit Cole returns off the disabled list. Francisco Liriano, Jeff Locke, Juan Nicasio and Ryan Vogelson are all struggling or injured leaving Taillon the opportunity to snatch a starting rotation spot for the remainder of the season.

So there you have it. Some impact names that can help you this season and beyond if you’re in a keeper league. Grab them now though if you have a slot you can play around with because they won’t be there for long once everyone else catches on. Hope this helps. 

Live Game Updates: Rockies at Yankees - 6/22

1:20 p.m., Mid 1st: The Rockies nearly score in the first, but a great throw by Gardner cuts down Charlie Blackmon at the plate. Let's see what the Yankees can do against Jon Gray.

1:51 p.m., End 2nd: Yankees get on the board in a big way. After two walks and a single load the bases, Chase Headley clubs a grand slam to center -- the team's first of the season. It's 4-0 New York after two innings of play.

2:07 p.m., Mid 3rd: An errant throw on a sac bunt by CC helps the Rockies score a pair. They're right back in it.

2:40 p.m., End 4th: Rockies take the lead in the fourth on a Nick Hundley three-run home run. Just like that, it's 5-4 Colorado.

3:02 p.m., End 5th: Rockies score three more in the fifth off CC and Anthony Swarzak. This game's gotten out of hand very quickly.

4:00 p.m., End 7th: Yankees rally to tie it. After Beltran lifts a three-run shot to right, Didi evens the score with a two-out RBI single, and we've got a brand new ballgame.

4:36 p.m., End 9th: That's your ballgame. Castro leads off the ninth with a walk-off home run off Jason Motte, and the Yankees prevail 9-8.

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. Colorado Rockies 6/22

Here we go Yankees family, afternoon baseball in the Bronx between the New York Yankees and the Colorado Rockies. These two teams were slated to face off head-to-head four times this season and this will be the finale of that four game schedule for 2016. In the finale the Yankees will send their 2009 version of CC Sabathia to the mound looking for another strong start while the Rockies will counter with Jon Gray who needs a strong start of his own. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

The Yankees have seven more games left of this home stand after this afternoon’s game including another set with the Minnesota Twins so if you want to see those games live or any games live this week in the Bronx just click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog and secure your premium seats now. Also be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@GreedyStripes) to follow along and interact with us during each and every game. FYI we are also in the T-shirt selling business now as well so click the TGP T-shirts link at the top of the blog to check that out as well.

Will CC Sabathia even give up a run, that’s the question that’s asked more times than not when the big left-hander is on the mound anymore and there is only one way to find out. Watch. Go Yankees!

Meet a Prospect: Tim Lynch Edition

The New York Yankees, at the time of this writing anyway, had signed eight of their first ten rounds picks with only their top pick, Blake Rutherford, and their 3^rd round pick, Nolan Martinez, yet to sign. It’s not uncommon for top picks to wait a while before deciding to sign and it’s even more common for High School players like Rutherford and Martinez to take their time before deciding to sign or not but when you draft a college player like Tim Lynch you expect them to sign rather quickly. The Yankees, and Lynch, did just that when the Florida product and first baseman signed for well below his slow value to begin his professional career. Let’s meet him.

This is Meet a Prospect: The Tim Lynch Edition. Lynch was a first baseman at Southern Mississippi at the time of his drafting and Baseball American had him ranked as the 22^nd best player in the state of Mississippi at the time of the 2016 draft. Lynch stands at 6’2” and hits left-handed which both fit the prototypical mold for a first baseman in the Major Leagues. Lynch’s big frame and left-handed swing are considered to both be disciplined with good power and solid contact making him a viable option in the future to stick at first base in the majors.

In 2016 Lynch hit .365/.470/.545 with ten home runs and 59 RBI during his senior season while striking out only 13 times to his 39 walks he drew all year long. For these reasons the Baseball Draft Report had Lynch ranked as the fifth best hitter in Conference USA in the draft. Lynch isn’t likely to play anywhere else because of his size but his bat can carry him at a position where the Yankees are seemingly very thin at the moment in the minor leagues. His bat may carry him all the way to the Major Leagues and very quickly if he plays his cards right.

We’re rooting for you Tim. Welcome to the organization and welcome to the family. 

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. Colorado Rockies 6/22

The New York Yankees and the Colorado Rockies were slated to play a pair of short two-game series this season in Interleague Play and that final game comes this afternoon in the Bronx. The Yankees were swept away in Colorado during the two games played under the National League’s rules and New York will look to extract some revenge and get out of this series with a win this afternoon inside Yankee Stadium. That will be no easy task against this solid offense the Rockies possess and it will be no easy task with Jon Gray on the mound for Colorado. Thankfully for the Yankees they are sending CC Sabathia to the mound this afternoon to oppose him.

Sabathia has been vintage Sabathia since coming off the disabled list in the beginning of May and no pitcher has a better ERA in that time period than Sabathia. Since coming off the DL Sabathia is sporting a 0.82 ERA lowering his overall ERA to 2.20. Sabathia will look to make that even lower in his eighth start since coming off the DL tonight against the Rockies.

Gray struggled in his last start against the Miami Marlins and will look to do better tonight in the Bronx against the Yankees. In that start Gray allowed two runs on six hits with four strikeouts in six innings of work but he struggled to find command of his fastball and his slider for much of the start, especially in the early innings.

The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV. Yet another game played while I’m at work or while I should be asleep. Sigh. Oh well as long as the Yankees come away with another victory I’m okay with missing a game here or there. Go Yankees!

Weekly Prospects Check In: Where the Hell is Gary Sanchez?

I was asked many times, in not so many words, where the hell James Kaprielian has been since going down on the disabled list in Tampa and I did my best to answer that question yesterday with a big “I don’t know.” Today I will look to provide a better answer to another burning question I have been hearing a lot about recently, where the hell is Gary Sanchez?

Sanchez was placed on the minor league DL with a crack in his thumb on --- and that’s where he has been ever since. A crack in the thumb of a catcher sounds like a big deal to me but either Sanchez is an iron man or the injury is not as bad as it was made out to be. I come to this conclusion because it was announced that Sanchez was taking ground balls at first base and working out there since the end of April by many publications.

Sanchez has been back over a week now and apparently I missed it, that's where the hell he's been. Where the hell have I been?

Year	Age	Lev	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	23	AAA	42	182	21	47	16	7	30	3	9	27	.278	.324	.509	.833
2016	23	MLB	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

This Day In New York Yankees History 6/22: #TooManyDamnHomeRuns

On this day in 1941 the Yankees hit a home run for the 18th consecutive game setting a new major league record. Joe DiMaggio hit the historic home run in a 5-4 Yankees victory over the Detroit Tigers and extended his own hitting streak to 35 games.