Article Revisit: My Second Trip to AT&T Field to Watch the Chattanooga Lookouts

So you all may or may not remember, or you may be new to the blog so if so… welcome, but last year my son Evan won an annual award from his school for being the Most Improved Student. What you get for this besides the obvious learning ramifications is a free ticket and food at the Chattanooga Lookouts AT&T Field. Well Evan won again this year so we made our second trip to Chattanooga on Wednesday night to watch the Lookouts take on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.


Last year Evan’s little brother, Hayden, was a little too young to attend the game but this time around he made the trip with us for his first baseball game. Boy did Hayden have a good time. The chants, the mascots, the game and of course the hot dogs and ice cream he was a huge fan of. Plus at Minor League games the kids can be kids and aren’t confined to a small, cramped seat surrounded by thousands of people. It was nice and the boys had a great time. Evan almost caught a foul ball too but he missed it by about 10 feet, maybe next time kid!


It really is a great time. They have lots of things to keep you entertained in-between innings and such and the atmosphere is just nice. I love it there. I loved seeing old Yankees in new places like Angelo Gumbs, Matt Tracy, Nik Turley, Eric Jagielo and others along with new faces that I had never seen before. Nick Gordon was the starting second baseman for the Lookouts and Paul Clemens started the game which was cool to see live.





It was just a really enjoyable experience and I fully recommend it for anyone who is in the neighborhood. Next time though it’s going to be with you. Hey you. I love you.

My Second Trip to AT&T Field to Watch the Chattanooga Lookouts

So you all may or may not remember, or you may be new to the blog so if so… welcome, but last year my son Evan won an annual award from his school for being the Most Improved Student. What you get for this besides the obvious learning ramifications is a free ticket and food at the Chattanooga Lookouts AT&T Field. Well Evan won again this year so we made our second trip to Chattanooga on Wednesday night to watch the Lookouts take on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

Last year Evan’s little brother, Hayden, was a little too young to attend the game but this time around he made the trip with us for his first baseball game. Boy did Hayden have a good time. The chants, the mascots, the game and of course the hot dogs and ice cream he was a huge fan of. Plus at Minor League games the kids can be kids and aren’t confined to a small, cramped seat surrounded by thousands of people. It was nice and the boys had a great time. Evan almost caught a foul ball too but he missed it by about 10 feet, maybe next time kid!

It really is a great time. They have lots of things to keep you entertained in-between innings and such and the atmosphere is just nice. I love it there. I loved seeing old Yankees in new places like Angelo Gumbs, Matt Tracy, Nik Turley, Eric Jagielo and others along with new faces that I had never seen before. Nick Gordon was the starting second baseman for the Lookouts and Paul Clemens started the game which was cool to see live.

It was just a really enjoyable experience and I fully recommend it for anyone who is in the neighborhood. Next time though it’s going to be with you. Hey you. I love you. 

Yankees Cleaned House on Farm Before 2016

The New York Yankees have absolutely cleaned house this winter in lieu of the 2016 MLB and minor league seasons. I never knew the Yankees released or traded away this many prospects (and players in Brendan Ryan and Adam Warren) this winter until I put it all on one single list and looked at it. If the only constant in this world is change then the New York Yankees are a constant because their minor league system and affiliates will look a whole lot different in 2016.

Released:

3B Glen Arias
C Isaias Tejada
2B Angelo Gumbs
SS Bryan Cuevas
OF Jordan Barnes
OF Griff Gordon
OF Jose Infante
OF Teodoro Martinez
RHP Gean Batista
RHP Francis Joseph
RHP Matt Borens
RHP Lee Casas
RHP Taylor Garrison
RHP Corey Holmes
C Rainiero Coa
1B Kyle Roller
SS Gregorio Petit (elected free agency)
RHP Kyle Davies (elected free agency)

Traded: 

RHP Rookie Davis
RHP Caleb Cotham
RHP Adam Warren
INF Brendan Ryan
3B Eric Jagielo
3B Rob Segedin
2B Tony Renda
LHP Evan Rutckyj (Rule 5)
OF Jake Cave (Rule 5)
RHP Yoel Espinol (Rule 5)
RHP Luis Niebla (Rule 5)
C Eduardo de Oleo (Rule 5)
OF Danny Oh (Rule 5)
2B Jose Pirela

Added:

OF Lane Adams
INF Ronald Torreyes
OF Jared Mitchell
RHP Tyler Cord
C Carlos Corporan
3B Deibinson Romero
RHP Wandy Soto
RHP Anthony Swarzak
LHP Tyler Olson
RHP Tyler Jones
2B Donovan Solano
SS Jonathan Diaz
RHP Vinnie Pestano
LHP Richard Bleier
C Sebastian Valle
SS Jose Rosario (re-signed)
RHP Domingo German (re-signed)
OF Cesar Puello
OF Juan Silva
RHP Diego Moreno (re-signed)
SS Pete Kozma
RHP Luis Cessa
RHP Chad Green
RHP Daniel Marten
RHP Spencer Mahoney
C Kyle Higashioka (re-signed)
RHP Johny Brito
C Francisco Diaz
RHP Ronald Herrera
C Eddy Rodriguez (re-signed)
OF Jhon Moronta

Exclusive Interview w/ Yankees Angelo Gumbs

Today's exclusive interview for The Greedy Pinstripes is Greedy Pinstripes follower on Twitter Angelo Gumbs. I think Angelo may be the one of the most underrated prospect that we have in our entire minor league system because all the guy has done since we drafted him at age 17 is play hard and impress on both sides of the ball. Follow Mr Gumbs on twitter @AGumbs21.

The Greedy Pinstripes: 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?

Angelo Gumbs: I had three dreams when I was a child baseball art and animals, but at the age of 4 years old I promised my mother I would be a professional baseball player. 

TGP: What team did you root for growing up as a kid?

AG: I had no favorite teams 

TGP: Favorite player(s) growing up?

AG: favorite players such as all time great Garret Anderson, Gary Sheffield, David Eckstein, and since the third grade I have always admired Roberto Clemente. 

TGP: Your biggest inspiration when it came to baseball?

AG: My biggest inspiration playing baseball was my great grandfather George Osmond Fahie who I had always strives to be great for so he can watch me play one day but unfortunately he passed before all this, but at times I feel his presence and know he's here with me. 

TGP: Favorite moment as a Yankees prospect?

AG: My favorite moment as a Yankee prospect was seeing all the hard work I put in come together this season and I feel as though it was just a little sample of more to come as I see and feel my self getting bigger and better. 

TGP: How awesome was it winning the NYPL Staten Island Championship?

AG: It was an indescribable feeling, but the drive of my son Andruw's birth made it all worth it and feel that much better to bring a ring home to him. 

TGP: Getting drafted at only 17 and without a true position must have been tough and/or scary for you I would think, was it?

AG: It was a little tough 

TGP: Do you like playing 2B or would you rather play another position?

AG: my prime position out of high school was center field and I found my self asking to be moved to the outfield at times, but I stuck threw it and now I see my self as a better second baseman than out fielder, and I love everything about playing second base turning double plays is awesome and there are a lot more challenges that make it fun.  

TGP: Do you feel over shadowed and over looked when you put up great numbers on both side of the ball and do not get mentioned as much as guys like Mason Williams and Tyler Austin?

AG: Those guys have showed what they have consistently these past few years so I would think they would be mentioned more, and I'm not focused on that because either way all of our goals are to get to the big leagues but I feel confident that the work I'm putting in will class me along with players who carry those names. 

TGP: We did an interview with Tyler and we love the guy here. How is he off the field?

AG: He's a good guy and an even better teammate on and off the field always looking to help someone or just relax and have a good time, we found ourselves playing each other a lot in games of PGA world tour on our time off the field in Charleston so I'm sure your views on him are very similar to mine. 

TGP: Who was the best prospect in the Yankees system that you ever played with?

AG: Mason Williams. 

TGP: Do you keep in touch with any other current or former Yankees prospects or coaches?

AG: I stay in touch with Taylor Morton, Mason Williams, Connor Mullee, our old hitting coordinator J Ro, and our defensive coordinator Torre Tyson. 

TGP: Hardest part of being a prospect?

AG: The hardest part of being a prospect is just putting in work to be better I'll never be satisfied no matter what any one says I still will strive to be better. 

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?

AG: Justin Upton. (We need that number to set up an interview, lol)

TGP: Most embarrassing song/artist in your ipod?

AG: Weird Al. 

I want to thank you Angelo for taking the time out of your schedule and life to do this interview for us. We appreciate everything that you do on and off the field and I do not think I speak only for myself when I say that we cannot wait for your arrival in New York. You are a special talent and a special person and the stereotypical Yankee. Keep up the great work and, again, we appreciate the interview!

Prospects Month: Top 28 Yankees Prospects List #28

Welcome to Prospects Month here on The Greedy Pinstripes. What would a Prospects Month be without a top list of prospects right? Here is the Top 28 prospects list from us starting with #28. We will go over one prospect a day until we get to #1. Be sure to check back all day every day this month if you are a self professed prospect humper like myself. Enjoy.

#28 prospect is Angelo Gumbs

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RiverDogs Come Up Short, Drop Third Straight

RiverDogs Come Up Short, Drop Third Straight

Braves use five run fifth inning to cruise to series clinching win

ROME, GA - The Rome Braves scored five runs in the third inning and coasted to their third straight win over the Charleston RiverDogs 5-3 on Monday night at State Mutual Stadium in Rome, GA in South Atlantic League action. The Braves took the series three games to one from the Dogs.

Charleston got the scoring started in the first inning thanks to a single and stolen base by leadoff man Jake Cave and a two out, RBI single by Dante Bichette, Jr. to take a 1-0 lead after half an inning.With the loss, the RiverDogs fall below .500 to 28-29 in the second half and 67-58 overall. Rome advances to 29-28 in the second half and 65-61 overall with the victory. Rome moves into sole possession of fourth place in the Sally League Southern Division standings while Charleston falls to fifth place.

The game stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth inning where the Braves exploded for five runs on five hits, one walk, and a hit batter. Edison Sanchez provided the big blow with a bases clearing double to knock in three runs and put Rome up 4-1.

Sanchez finished the series on fire reaching base safely in his final 11 plate appearances. On Monday he was a perfect 3-3 and got hit by a pitch.

The RiverDogs had a golden opportunity in the top of the sixth to get right back in the game, but failed to take advantage. Angelo Gumbs knocked in a run with a one out RBI single to load the bases, but reliever Matt Chaffee came in and struck out Reymond Nunez and Danny Oh to end the inning and strand the bases loaded for Charleston with Rome up 5-2.

In the top of the ninth inning Charleston loaded the bases with only one out, but a sacrifice fly by Jackson Valera and strikeout by Greg Bird ended the ballgame with the tying run at first base.

Bird went 0-1 with four walks in the contest to move his league leading total to 95 walks on the season.

Brett Gerritse started for the Dogs and allowed five runs on six hits, walked one, and fanned four. Gerritse earned the loss to fall to 8-7. Charleston's bullpen was dynamite with Adam Smith tossing two perfect innings, and James Pazos not allowing a run in his lone inning of work.

Mauricio Cabrera earned just his third win of the year for Rome to advance to 3-7. He threw 5.1 innings and allowed six hits and two runs with three walks and two strikeouts. Chaffee walked one and allowed no hits in his 2.2 scoreless innings. Zach Jadofsky gave up one run on two hits and struck out two in the ninth to collect his third save of the season for the Braves.

COMING UP: Charleston returns home to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park to kick off their second to last homestand of the season on Tuesday. The West Virginia Power come to town for three games. Game one will feature a pitching matchup of RHP Luis Severino (1-1, 4.08 ERA) for the RiverDogs and RHP John Kuchno (8-5, 4.01 ERA) for the Power. Each Tuesday the RiverDogs team with MUSC Wellness to promote healthy lifestyle choices. Tuesdays at The Joe feature a healthy menu item and lifestyle tips throughout the game. The new 2-for-$20 Date Night includes two tickets, two slices of pizza, two sodas and one bag of popcorn all for $20. Also, local Italian restaurant La Fontana presents the "Lucky Couple of the Game" as one fortunate pair will be selected at random to win a free and romantic Italian dinner. The restaurant will bring in two specialty dishes and the couple will enjoy that dinner in a singular seating arrangement down the right field line while enjoying the game. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm on Tuesday. Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/19FjHVB

--RIVERDOGS--

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE. 

Flurry Of Minor League Roster Moves Part Deux

Last night and yesterday we had another round of roster moves surely to confuse you. Here they are:

Scott Lillibridge was activated.

Casey Stevenson was promoted from the Trenton Thunder to the Scranton Railriders where he hit two home runs including the walk off winner in the 11th inning.

Dan Fiorito was sent to High A to play for the Tampa Yankees.

Ryan Baker was added to the AAA disabled list.

Caleb Cotham was called up from Trenton to pitch the first game of the double header last night for Scranton.

Zach Nuding and Fred Lewis were called up to Scranton from Trenton on Friday and sent back down to Trenton last night after both pitching well in their Railriders debut.

Angelo Gumbs has been demoted back to Charleston with the Riverdogs since struggling after coming back from that finger injury. Fu-Lin Kuo has been promoted to Tampa to take Gumbs' spot.

Eduardo Sosa has been released. Taylor Dugas has been placed on the DL for an unknown reason.

Did I get them all? Probably not, but I hope so.

Yankees Prospects Injury Updates

Manny Banuelos, who had Tommy John surgery, is throwing at 120 feet and doing long toss. It is a matter of weeks before ManBan is back on a mound according to Mark Newman.

Chase Whitley, who suffered an oblique injury in spring training, is throwing in extended spring training games and is a week to 10 days from returning to Scranton or Trenton.

Angelo Gumbs, who has a sprained right middle finger, is also playing in extended spring training games. Newman says that it is probably going to be a couple more weeks before Angelo is back with the Charleston Riverdogs.

Adonis Garcia, who had his hamate bone in his right hand broken this spring, is finally taking batting practice. He is not in extended spring training yet but expects to be soon.

Ravel Santana, who is still nursing a 2011 devastating ankle injury, is being brought along slowly here in 2013. He came back in 2012 but was never really right with that ankle. Ravel is now playing in extended spring training games but there is no time table on when he will be back.

Fangraphs Releases Top 15 Yankees Prospect List

Fangraphs has released theit top 15 Yankees prospect list, seen HERE, and it may raise some eyebrows after the usual suspects in the top four slots. Click over there to see the full list and write up with 2012 stats but I will post what everyone really wants to see here.

1. Mason Williams

2. Gary Sanchez

3. Slade Heathcott

4. Tyler Austin

5. Jose Campos

6. Angelo Gumbs

7. Brett Marshall

8. Ty Hensley

9. Jose Ramirez

10. Mark Montgomery

11. Manny Banuelos

12. Bryan Mitchell

13. Austin Romine

14. David Adams

15. JR Murphy

Putting Jose Ramirez in the top 10 should not shock anybody in my opinion but putting him ahead of Mark Montgomery is a crock. Sure I understand that Ramirez is a starter and Montgomery is a reliever  but Mark has been doing it more consistently and for longer than Ramirez. Oh well anything after the top seven or eight spots are usually personal preference and interchangeable anyways. Nothing to get too worked up about here, nice list.

John Sickels Top 20 Yankees Prospects List

John Sickels of Minor League Ball released his preliminary Top 20 Yankees prospects list with his grading system attached. For the full article click the link and head over there but I will give you the readers digest version here. 

1. Gary Sanchez

2. Tyler Austin

3. Mason Williams

4. Slade Heathcott

5. Brett Marshall

6. Jose Campos

7. Angelo Gumbs

8. Mark Montgomery

9. Ty Hensley

10. Manny Banuelos

11. Nik Turley

12. Corey Black

13. Rafael DePaula

14. JR Murphy

15. Ramon Flores

16. Bryan Mitchell

17. Austin Romine

18. Corban Joseph

19. Nick Goody

20. Dante Bichette Jr

Prospects : Top 50 Yankees Prospect List

I have an old friend over on the Pro Sports Daily forums who goes by the name "nyyfan4life" that I have posted with off and on since around 2005. His opinion, especially on prospects, is one that I hold in high regard so the other day when he posted his top 50 Yankees prospect list I felt like I had to share it with everybody. The original post can be seen HERE and I have his permission to post this for him so I hope everyone enjoys the list as much as I did.

My top 50 prospects w/ some info and some ML-comparisons. Note: Comparisons are just based of scouting videos and tools of the prospects. I don't want to hear how a "guy that compares to Ryan Zimmerman is lower than a guy who's comparison is AJ Burnett" or anything like that.

1- Mason Williams CF: Plus hitting ability and plus speed…plus defensive potential…developing power…average arm. There are some maturity concerns but that should improve with time...Super talented and athletic...

2- Gary Sanchez C: Plus power and plate discipline… improving defense, strong arm… needs to make more consistent contact and recognize breaking pitches better… has become a better leader. MLB Comp: Brian McCann

3- Slade Heathcott CF: Plus speed, plus defensive skills, plus plate discipline with a developing overall offense....aggressive player, sometimes self-destructive. MLB Comp: Jon Jay

4- Tyler Austin RF: Strong overall offensive player who has found a home at RF. Consistently squares the ball…shows good instincts in the outfield and on the base-paths. MLB Comp: Jayson Werth

5- Manny Banuelos LHP: Plus fastball, plus change-up, above average curve-ball (borderline plus). TJS was a bummer but hopefully he bounces back strong in 2014. MLB Comp: Cole Hamels

6- Jose Campos RHP: Plus fastball velocity and command…needs to learn to spin the breaking pitch a bit better (curveball has shown plus potential)…has a nice, easy delivery. MLB Comp: Roy Oswalt

7- Rafael DePaula RHP: Highest potential upside out of anyone in the system. Plus fastball, curveball combo…Needs to develop the change…Ideal pitcher’s frame, clean delivery. MLB Comp: Felix Hernandez

8- Angelo Gumbs 2B: Best overall athlete in the system...Possesses plus speed and defensive skills…very quick, amazing bat speed...MLB Comp: Howie Kendrick

9- Brett Marshall RHP: Good sinker 91-93 with a borderline plus change-up (rated as the best in the organization according to BA)…Slider is still inconsistent but improving…MLB-ready…Durable since coming back from TJS. MLB Comp: Justin Masterson

10- Ty Hensley RHP: Big, strong kid…Already throws a mid 90’s fastball with a strong curveball..both pitches rate at a near plus level for the future…needs to improve command and show that the shoulder abnormality is a non-issue.

11- Ramon Flores CF: Plus plate discipline...above average speed…average defensive CF…improving power…Very solid overall player who gets it done…Consistent performer...Limited ceiling, high floor. MLB Comp: David DeJesus

12- Austin Romine C: ML-ready…Average contact/plate discipline…Shows gap to gap power…Strong throwing arm with above average receiving skills…Plus intangibles.. 

13- Bryan Mitchell RHP: Plus fastball velocity with arguably the best curveball in the system (BA rated it as the best curveball in the system)…Poor command is holding him back…He threw a career high in innings in 2012 and next year will be a big year for him. MLB Comp: Edinson Volquez

14- Corban Joseph 2B: Very good all-around hitter…Good plate discipline, good power (for a MIF) and consistently makes hard contact…Average defender with average defensive tools. MLB Comp: Neil Walker

15- Greg Bird 1B: Plus offensive potential especially in the power department. He has the tools to be at least an average defensive 1B…Still developing into his body…A guy to keep an eye on in 2013… MLB Comp: Todd Helton (post 2005)

16- Nik Turley LHP: Good command and pick-off move…Has an above average fastball (sitting 91) with 2 above average secondary pitches (change and curve)…The curve has shown the most progression… Tall, lanky build…Near ML-ready. MLB Comp: Ross Detwiler

17- Jose Ramirez RHP: Big fastball that consistently sits 92-94 with some 96’s…BA rated it as the best FA in the organization…He has 2 strong secondary pitches in a power change and a power slider and both show plus potential at times…MLB Comp: Max Scherzer

18- David Adams 2B: Very strong overall hitter…Makes consistent contact, with above average plate discipline and gap to gap power…Average defender at both 2B and 3B…ML-ready…MLB Comp: Jeff Keppinger

19- Mark Montgomery RHP: Solid fastball (sits around 90-91) with an amazing slider…Best in the organization according to BA…A legit swing and miss pitch…Needs to improve fastball command if he wants to be anything more than a set-up man…MLB Comp: Sergio Romo

20- Dante Bichette Jr 3B: Had a very disappointing year offensively in 2012…Made tremendous strides defensively…He still projects to be a good offensive prospect due to above average pitch recognition, plate discipline, hitting ability and power…Has a strong arm and soft hands defensively with solid range…MLB Comp: David Freese

21- Adam Warren RHP: Had another solid year…Looks like a long-term reliever…He throws 2 good fastballs, an average (sometimes above average) slider and a change-up…Good control of his pitches…Not much projection left…

22- JR Murphy C: Another player that had a disappointing year offensively…Has developed into a very good defensive catcher and his leadership skills are second to none on this list…He has good plate discipline and shows gap to gap power offensively…Needs to bounce back…

23- Cito Culver SS:…Plus plate discipline and defensive ability with average speed (for a MiF)…Shows above average range and elite arm strength defensively…Needs to make more consistent contact, work on swing mechanics and be more aggressive earlier in the count…MLB Comp: Nick Punto

24- Nick Goody RHP: Brilliant 2012 (14.6 K/9 and a 1.12 ERA in 32 IP) year after being drafted…Power reliever…Plus fastball (93-96) consistently with an above average slider…Strong command for a power pitcher…MLB Comp: Grant Balfour

25- Dellin Betances RHP: Awful 2012 season…Inconsistent command/delivery…Needs to regain form…Time is running out…Pure stuff is still as good as any…Power fastball (93-95) with movement and a knockout curveball…MLB Comp: AJ Burnett

26- Matt Tracy LHP: Had a breakout 2012 year…Got all the way to AAA in his first full season…Older guy (24 right now) he is near ML ready and shows a good 3 pitch mix…Fastball is in the 91-94 range and has average secondary pitches (CB and CH)…MLB Comp: Jon Niese

27- Daniel Camarena LHP: Solid 3-pitch mix…Fastball sits around 90 mph and throws both a curveball and change-up…Both are solid pitches but nothing great…Has tremendous command of all three pitches…He has a small stature and not much projection left…Looks like a steady prospect…MLB Comp: Wandy Rodriguez

28- Ravel Santana OF: Had a disappointing overall season in 2012 after coming back from a horrible ankle injury…He still has some of the best raw tools in the system and 2013 will be a big year for him…He has legit 20-20 potential…

29- Corey Black RHP: Power arm…Fastball velocity sits around 93-95 and has hit 100 on occasion…He commands it well but has minimal movement…Change-up is his best secondary pitch…Can’t spin a breaking ball and has a small stature…

30- Evan Rutckyj LHP: Big pitcher (standing 6’5) and former hockey player…Fastball sits around 91 comfortably and has really improved his slider…Command needs work but has made tremendous strides and had a solid 2012 campaign…

31- Pater O’Brien C: Big catcher (6’4 and about 225 lbs) and has big time power from the right side…He has plus arm strength but projects to be a 1B/COF/DH as he progresses forward…Offensively, he was compared to Pat Burrell during the draft…Needs to improve his plate discipline, however.

32- Giovanny Gallegos RHP: Nice, easy delivery…Great pitchability and command…Already shows a very strong fastball/curveball combo…Fastball sits around 92…Mexican signee who the Yankees apparently really like…1.67 ERA and a 22/2 K/BB ratio in 27 IP.

33- Tommy Kahnle RHP: One of the most talented arms in the system…Explosive fastball that regularly sits in the low-to-high 90’s…His change-up is a borderline plus pitch…His command has improved in 2012 and he will look to build on that…

34- Melky Mesa CF: Has some of the best tools in the organization…Plus arm strength, defensive skills, speed and above average power…He can’t make consistent contact and that’s his Achilles heel…Had a brief cameo at the ML level in 2012…Could make a fine 4th OF given his skills...

35- Branden Pinder RHP: Power stuff…Strong fastball/slider combo…Fastball that sits around 95 mph and a high 80’s slider…Incredible stuff but too often misses his location…Needs to be more consistent with his command…

36- Austin Aune SS: Very high offensive potential…Already has shown quick bat speed, the ability to hit the ball with authority and above average plate discipline…Has well above average speed, plus arm strength and plus athleticism…Has plus defensive skills but really needs to improve his defense and utilize his physical attributes.

37- Chase Whitley RHP: Big, strong kid…Had a very nice 2012 season in AAA (3.25 ERA)…ML ready…Has a 3 pitch repertoire which includes a fastball (around 90-93), change-up (best pitch) and slider (average offering). He’s more finesse than power but knows how to pitch…

38- Zoilo Almonte OF: Strong 2012 season in AA overall… .277 BA, 21 HR and 15 SB…Has nice tools…Needs to hit lefty pitching better and improve his plate discipline…Very average defensive player…Still fairly young at 23 and he should be ML ready soon…

39- Anderson Feliz 2B: Played through a lot of injuries in 2012…One of my sleeper prospects for 2012…Has plenty of tools including an above average hit tool, above average speed, plate discipline and plus defensive potential…Hit .279 across 2 levels (low-A and hi-A) with a .370 OBP in 2012…Should be a full-time player in Hi-A in 2013…

40- Angel Rincon RHP: Came over from the Dominican this past year…Strong debut (2.57 ERA and sub 1 WHIP in 9 games (6 starts))…Showed a strong fastball-curve combo…Fastball sits low 90’s and he commands it very wall…Has shown the ability to be a plus strike thrower…

41- Gabe Encias RHP: Poor 2012 year…Numbers don’t tell the entire story…His stuff has improved tremendously since being drafted…Sat 93-94 with his fastball (around 91 pre-velocity spike) and showed a much improved power curveball…He had trouble harnessing his improved pitches in 2012. 2013 will be a big year for him…

42- Jack Cave OF: Sleeper candidate…I see him being a top 10 organizational prospect by this time next year…Missed all of 2012 after he busted his knee cap in ST…6th round pick out of a Virginia HS in 2011 (got the highest signing bonus, I believe)…Is a strong and skilled overall prospect…Above average runner and plate discipline…Plus arm strength (ran his FB upto 94 as a prep pitcher)…Has shown the ability to hit the ball all over the field in instructs…MLB Comp: Nick Markakis

43- Miguel Andujar 3B: Youngest prospect on the list (doesn’t turn 18 till March)…Poor statistical season at GCL…Has a lot of good tools…Solid hit tool, shows good patience and has good defensive potential with above average speed…Power isn’t there yet but scouts believe he has 20 HR potential down the road. He has a chance to be an overall impact player and really move up in the rankings in the coming years…MLB Comp: Ryan Zimmerman

44- Zach Nuding RHP: Big guy (6’4 – 260)…Had a productive 2012 year (3.50 ERA and 1.3 WHIP) mostly in Hi-A…Big fastball (92-95, any given night), but with spotty command and very average secondary pitches…He needs to improve either his change or slider if he wants to ever make it to the ML.

45- Rookie Davis RHP: Pitched well in his debut season (sub 3.00 ERA)…Has an above average fastball-curveball combo at his disposal…Fastball sits in the low-90’s when right…Still very young…Needs to be more consistent with his stuff and improve his other offerings…

46- Ben Gamel OF: Has a strong hit tool (career .300 hitter)…He has slightly above average speed and above average defensive skills…Very aggressive player…Brings plus intangibles…Doesn’t have much power nor much physical progression left… 

47- Ronny Bautista LHP: 6’7 Dominican lefty who had a very strong debut season for the GCL Yankees…His fastball was a bit disappointing (reportedly 93-97 in the DSL) at only 89-90 in 2012…He did make strides in improving his command and secondary pitches…If he can regain the lost velo, he’d shoot up the rankings…

48- Jordan Cote RHP: Very good statistically in the brief games he played in last season…Cote still has tons of projection left…Fastball was disappointing (sitting around 90 mph) last season…He needs to work on getting stronger and continue developing both his fastball velo and secondary pitches…

49- Shane Greene RHP: Some of the best power stuff in the system…Plus fastball velocity and movement, a borderline plus slider and an above average change-up…The guy also has some of the worst command in the system..He’s an older guy and he hasn’t cut it as a starter…He can make some strides and open some eyes with a shift to the bullpen…

50- Caleb Cotham RHP: Near ML-ready…Solid 4 pitch mix…FB (90-92), slider (85mph, best pitch), curveball and change-up…All 4 pitches grade out to be at least average and he commands them all well (best control in the organization according to BA)…Came back strong following his injury…MLB Comp: David Phelps

The Yankees May Be Old, But So What?

"Hurry up and get your uniform on, you're starting for the Yankees tonight!"

A lot of people, from both inside and outside the organization, have criticized the Yankees for being old. I can't say that's not true, but the only problems I see with having an old team would be if the team wasn't winning, or that multiple positions were filled for a while... thus blocking prospects from being called up to Major League Baseball.

Even though the Yankees haven't won the World Series in a few years, nobody can say that the team hasn't been successful. They've won a total of 287 games over the last three seasons, with two division championships, and two trips to the American League Championship Series thrown in. So even though the Yankee motto each year is "World Series title or bust", it's ridiculous to say the team has not been a success.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox feel like the guy in the white shirt, having missed the playoffs in each of the past 3 years.

So what about blocking prospects? We saw Jesus Montero traded during the last offseason, and a big reason it happened was because neither the catching or first base slot was open for him in 2012. The Yankees felt the need for a possible front-line starter that was still young and under team control for a while, so they pulled the trigger on the deal that sent Montero to Seattle for Michael Pineda (not to mention that Hector Noesi was also sent to the Mariners for Jose Campos). So the "prospects being blocked" thing is a problem for the Yankees, right?

Wrong.

Here are the top 10 Yankee prospects at the end of the 2012 season, according to Baseball America. The player's estimated time of arrive in MLB is listed next to their name.


Mason Williams, of - 2015

The Yankees current outfield consists of Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson, and... who knows? Brett will be eligible for free agency after the 2014 season, while Granderson is going into the final year of his contract next year. So currently all three outfield spots could be open for Williams when he arrives in MLB in or around 2015.

Slade Heathcott, of - 2014

Although Heathcott is 21 years old, and therefore is as old as some guys when they make the jump to the Majors, he is likely to spend at least one more season in the minors due to having just finished the 2012 season in high-A ball. Depending on what happens with right field this offseason, two of the outfield positions could be available to Slade in 2014.

Gary Sanchez, c - 2015

Even if the Yankees were to sign Russell Martin to a three year deal, as has been rumored, that would mean the starting catcher spot would be open for Sanchez in the 2016 season. Some believe Gary could be MLB-ready by 2015, meaning he could spend a season as Martin's backup, which is a pretty good idea to me. Russ has a good rapport with the pitchers, and does a great job defensively, so having Sanchez learn from him for a season could be a really good thing.

Tyler Austin, of - 2014

Yet another outfielder in the Yankees top 10 prospects. Theoretically, since I pointed out that two of the three outfield spots could be available by 2014, both Heathcott and Austin could fill those holes. Although I highly doubt that, by 2015, the Yankee outfield would have a rookie (Williams) and two second-year players (Heathcott and Austin), so I fully expect at least one of them to be used in a trade.

Jose Campos, rhp, Brett Marshall, rhp, Manny Banuelos, lhp, Ty Hensley, rhp, Rafael De Paula, rhp - 2014

It's almost pointless for me to talk about the pitching situation in the future, as things can chance so much in just one season (see Ivan Nova, who went from sure-thing starter to somebody I'd like to see bumped from the rotation), but let me point out that CC Sabathia is the only Yankee starter under contract after 2013, while Michael Pineda, Ivan Nova, and David Phelps are the only other current Yankees with true starting experience that will be under team control by 2014.

Angelo Gumbs, 2b - 2015

Gumbs is the only top 10 prospect that will likely be blocked from being able to move into a starter's role in MLB, as I fully expect the Yankees to eventually work out an extension with Robinson Cano. The idea crossed my mind that he could move to SS, as he has some experience playing there in the minors, but it turns out that it's only 7 games worth... and 6 of those were a couple years ago in rookie ball. Perhaps 3B would be a viable alternative, although I think being trade fodder is more likely for Angelo.

By the time 9 of those 10 players are MLB-ready, there could be starting spots waiting for them. Which tells me that the Yankees being "too old" right now is nothing to worry about.

Just like Hef, the Yankees may be old but they're still having plenty of fun.