Chicago Cubs Claim Yankees Brett Marshall On Waivers

The New York Yankees recently designated pitcher Brett Marshall for assignment to make room on the 40 man roster for Carlos Beltran and now Marshall has a new home. The Chicago Cubs claimed Marshall off of waivers and will stash him on their 40 man. The 23 year old right hander struggled mightily in AAA this season with the Scranton Wilkes Barre RailRiders and some thought that Marshall may even clear waivers and be returned to Scranton but no such luck. Good luck in Wrigley Mr. Marshall.

Beltran Officially In, Marshall Officially Out

The signing of Carlos Beltran is finally official, which means somebody had to be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Carlos. That mean is...

It's me! Brett Marshall!

Brett's MLB debut didn't go too well, as he gave up five earned runs, thanks to five walks and nine hits (two of them home runs), in 5.2 innings to the Seattle Mariners. He did go on to have two good relief appearances, but that wasn't enough for the Yankees to hold onto him over guys like David Huff or Vernon Wells.

There's a chance Marshall clears waivers, so his career in pinstripes may not be over with.

Official New York Yankees September Call Ups

Here is the official September call up list on day one from the New York Yankees:

Preston Claiborne*
David Adams
Dellin Betances
JR Murphy
Brett Marshall
Cesar Cabral

Claiborne will be up tomorrow when the Tampa Yankees season ends. Claiborne will be in the bullpen for tomorrow nights game against the Chicago White Sox.

Predicting The New York Yankees September Call Ups

Welcome to September baseball where teams really begin their playoff pushes and rosters expand from 25 man rosters all the way to 40 man rosters. This is an exciting day for any prospect follower or "prospect humper" alike, myself included. Here is a list of the guys that I think the Yankees will call up to help with the playoff push and our mission to catch one of the wild card slots.

Dellin Betances has pitched his butt off since being converted into a relief pitcher. With Dellin out of options after this season the Yankees have a decision to make this coming off season and this may be Dealin' Dellin's first audition for the 2014 bullpen.

Preston Claiborne probably should not have been sent down when he was a few weeks back but Joba Chamberlain has pitched well since then so that makes the decision a little easier. Now with rosters expanding Claiborne should be the first man to get a call on Monday when the Tampa Yankees season is over.

Brett Marshall has pitched well lately down the stretch and does not look like he is headed to the playoffs so why not call him up. He could easily be a mop up man or just get a feeling for the majors and all that like Derek Jeter did in 1995. He is on the 40 man roster and not going to the playoffs so at this point I can't think of a good reason not to bring up Marshall.

David Adams has already been up with the Yankees a couple times this season and, excluding his explosion onto the scene, struggled mightily at the plate all year. Still I expect the Yankees to bring up Adams if anything for a late inning defensive replacement or pinch runner for guys like Alex Rodriguez.

Travis Hafner is standing in the background screaming "hey did you guys forget about me?" Well yeah, Travis, most of us did and for good reason. You have struggled at the plate for most of the season and even when you were hitting you never had the power numbers that we expected or signed you for. Still I can see us bringing him up as a left handed power bat off the bench if the shoulder is healthy.

 JR Murphy has been a sight for sore eyes when it comes to productive Yankees positional prospects especially one who plays behind the dish. The Yankees seemingly have a love affair with calling up a third catcher for September and JR seems like the obvious choice. Also to add this may be the end of Chris Stewart because when the season is over Francisco Cervelli's suspension would be over and we would have four catchers on the 40 man roster and Stewart seems like the obvious choice to go.

Chris Bootcheck had a quick cup of coffee with the Yankees this season before clearing waivers and heading back down to the Scranton RailRiders where he will finish his season. Bootcheck pitched well in AAA as a starter posting a 10-7 record with a 3.69 ERA while striking out 97. With experience both in starting and as a reliever he could be the right handed compliment to David Huff that is currently on the roster. I was originally on the fence with Bootcheck only because I cannot see him fitting into the 2014 MLB Yankees plans and he would be a waste of a 40 man roster spot but I think the Yankees will go all in and try and make the playoffs this season and Bootcheck helps them do that.

Cesar Cabral has probably been the most forgotten Yankees pitcher stashed away in the minor leagues this system. As a quick update we all know that Cabral was claimed in the Rule 5 draft and almost made the Yankees bullpen in 2012 before a stress fracture in his left throwing elbow ended his 2012 and half of his 2013 season. When he came back and went through his rehab assignment he cleared waivers and was stashed in the minors where he has pitched to a combined 5.40 ERA with the Tampa Yankees, Trenton Thunder, and Scranton RailRiders. Obviously the stats are not as sexy as you would want them he could give the Yankees that second left handed option that they seemingly have fallen in love with the last two or three seasons. Also Cabral figures to at least be in the discussion for the 2014 bullpen with Boone Logan's impending free agency so this could serve as his first audition for that role.

Obviously the final three guys here in Murphy, Bootcheck, and Cabral are not on the 40 man roster and would require a roster move to be a Setpember call up but that may not be as hard to do as you would think. Vidal Nuno could be transferred to the 60 day DL retroactive to June 8th since he has hoped of rehabbing his groin injury and returning some time in September to the big leagues. Also Corban Joseph could be transferred to the 60 day DL as his season is over with a shoulder injury. Even with a roster crunch the Yankees have a little bit of wiggle room that they could work with to bring up the guys they need to complete this playoff push. It also doesn't hurt that Cabral and Murphy were probably going to get added to the 40 man roster before next season anyway.

Here's my list, what's yours?

RailRiders: Brett Marshall is turning it around in a major way

MOOSIC — I have been one of Brett Marshall’s staunchest critics throughout 2013.

I mean, after trudging through the first three months of the season carrying a 3-6 record alongside a 5.00 ERA, who wouldn’t have felt doomed every time he stepped to the mound?

But in late June, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders’ right-handed starter told reporters he was working on a new throwing motion.

Personally, I haven’t picked up on any differences, but whatever he tweaked seems to have made a huge difference.

Since talking about changing his physical stance on the mound, Marshall has turned over a new leaf, registering three wins and a 2.88 ERA in his past eight starts.

After putting forward one of the — excuse me if I’m living in the moment too much — best pitching performances in recent franchise history, in which he tallied eight innings pitched, allowing just one run and five hits, he was quite mum.

"I feel like I didn't have much today," Marshall said. "I felt like I was kind of lucky."

According to Donnie Collins, Marshall said he didn't have command of his fastball and his changeup was so inconsistent that he rarely threw it.

So, Brett, that's what it takes?

Then just try to be lucky for every start, especially with the RailRiders within five games of the wild card.

"Marshall doesn't have a sexy profile as a pitching prospect, sitting in the 89-91 range and touching 93 at times," said Baseball Prospect Nation in their latest evaluation of Marshall. "His long-term profile sits in the number four or five starter realm and he could be ready to fulfill that role in 2014."

Marshall has already has his first shot in the bigs, relieving Phil Hughes after a disastrous start in mid-May against the Mariners. Marshall wasn't terrible, but was still outmatched and not ready for the major leagues, tallying 5.2 innings pitched, allowing five runs.

However, I like to think Baseball Prospect Nation struck the nail on its head with Marshall because I see exactly what they're saying ... metaphorically and physically.

He usually sits in the 90-mph zone on his fastball with decent secondary pitches, but control is everything. If he controls his pitches, he is indeed a four or five starter in MLB.

But hey, he did say felt "kind of lucky" for his best performance of 2013. Maybe luck could be his ticket to The Show.

My Plan To Navigate This Years Trading Deadline

We need an upgrade at catcher and Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann seems to be available and makes a ton of sense for the Yankees. With the Yankees seemingly getting zero production from their catchers this season this seems like an obvious place to begin the upgrading at. Francisco Cervelli just had a set back that will keep him out until at least August and with this whole Biogenesis mess looming and a possible 50 game suspension for Cervelli it might not be a bad idea to get ahead of the curve here. The Braves have three catchers and seemingly have to trade one you would think and McCann makes the most sense for them to trade. McCann makes the most money and is a free agent at the end of the season so we can still give Cervelli his spot back next season.

Yankees get Brian McCann

Braves get David Adams, Brett Marshall, and Francisco Rondon

Russ Canzler was designated for assignment and released for the 19th time this season, obvious exaggeration, and is now a free agent that the Yankees would sign if I were running the show. Russ can give us an obvious upgrade offensively at first base over both Lyle Overbay and Travis Ishikawa. Russ also gives us an enormous upgrade over the David Adams, Luis Cruz, and Jayson Nix show we have all been watching at third base although his defense is considered to be suspect over there. Russ also has experience in the outfield making him a better back up option than Vernon Wells and guys like Brennan Boesch if and when he comes back. The best part is he does not require us giving up anything but money which is always a plus.

My deal is a two year deal for Canzler worth $1,000,000. Russ is going to have suitors and flock to a guaranteed major league deal not only for this season but next as well. This gives him plenty of at bats this season and a utility role a la Eric Chavez next season. 

This may be a dream ultimately but the Philadelphia Phillies may or may not be, depending on what report you believe, interested in Joba Chamberlain and we are interested in Michael Young so why not do a swap? The Yankees get another aging veteran and the Phillies get a 28 year old reliever that has closer potential if he can keep guys off the bases. The Phillies save money and have the opportunity to sign Joba long term an we get closer to competing this season, win win for everybody. 

Phillies get Joba Chamberlain

Yankees get Michael Young

I am literally pulling this trade out of my behind here admittedly because we have not been linked to Addison Reed or Matt Thornton and the Chicago White Sox seem ready to sell off and rebuild but hear me out. Addison Reed is young and is someone we can build around replacing Joba Chamberlain after this season. Matt Thornton gives us that second left hander that we seem to covet and gives us the opportunity to compete this season. Also we get a little bit of international spending money for this season allowing us to pick somebody up. The Chicago White Sox have the ability and the cash to build around Hughes and sign him to a long term deal. I know the Angels are interested in Hughes supposedly but for some reason I am scared and reluctant to trade him to an already stacked, albeit struggling, Angels team. 

Chicago White Sox get Phil Hughes

Yankees get Addison Reed, Matt Thornton, and International Spending Money

If we make these four trades or acquisitions and get back a healthy Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Curtis Granderson we could go into August and September baseball with a competent looking roster. Not to mention a bullpen that can match or beat any bullpen in the league not only for this season but beyond. 

C Brian McCann

1B Lyle Overbay

2B Robinson Cano

SS Derek Jeter

3B Alex Rodriguez

LF Curtis Granderson

CF Brett Gardner 

RF Ichiro Suzuki

BN Chris Stewart

BN Russ Canzler

BN Michael Young

BN Vernon Wells

BN Zoilo Almonte

1. Gardner

2. Jeter

3. Cano

4. Rodriguez

5. McCann 

6. Granderson

7. Hafner/Canzler

8. Overbay/Canzler

9. Ichiro Suzuki

Revisiting The Idea Of Alfonso Soriano

Way back in February I asked the question, What About Alfonso Soriano for 2013? Now that we are considered to be in late June and the trade deadline looming at the end of July is it still a legitimate question? Let's look at the original article and I am urging you all to comment in the comment box and tell me what you think or follow us on Twitter @GreedyStripes and tell us what you think there.

Spoiler Alert! I look like an absolute idiot with the proposed trade below... you will see why.

The Chicago Cubs have indicated that they would like to move left fielder Alfonso Soriano and Soriano says that he would be willing to waive his full no trade clause to make that happen if the Cubs are not contending in 2013. Soriano submitted a list of six or seven teams including the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and the Philadelphia Phillies. If I had to guess at the two teams not included I would guess the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants, for real this time, but again those are just guesses. Soriano is signed through the 2014 season and has $36 million remaining, $18 million in each of 2013 and 2014, on the deal and if I had to guess I would say the Cubs would probably be willing to eat some of that in order to move him. If the Cubs asking price was not astronomical should the Yankees be interested in a potential Soriano trade?

Soriano is a left fielder and the Yankees are generally looking for a right fielder but with the Yankees speed of Curtis Granderson and Brett Gardner, or Ichiro Suzuki I guess depending on how the outfield is set up that day, I think they could afford to cheat a little with those guys and could hide Soriano's defensive liabilities. It is worth mentioning though that Soriano did only have one error in over 200 chances last year, which is by far his career low, so maybe he is turning the corner defensively. Soriano seems to also fit the Yankees need for a right handed power hitting outfielder and is an immediate upgrade over both Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera respectively. The money should not be an issue because in December when Soriano was part of trade rumors the Cubs were reportedly willing to eat up to $26 million of the $36 million owed if the "right prospects" were involved in the deal. While I do not think we would, or should, give up any of our upper guys like Tyler Austin, Mason Williams, Gary Sanchez, or Slade Heathcott I think a deal revolving around a Brett Marshall could get it done. The Yankees need a platoon partner for both Travis Hafner and Ichiro Suzuki, both left handed players, and Soriano could fill both needs in one player splitting time between the designated hitter position and right field. The biggest downfall, which is a common occurrence in the Yankees club house, is that Soriano will be entering his age 37 season and will be under contract through his age 38 season as well which is not a welcomed sight to many.

Let's look at Soriano's splits against left handed pitching. Soriano had a triple slash of .260/.342/..489 in 66 games in 2012 which is surprisingly, yet negligibly,  lower than his right handed pitching splits. Soriano was a 1.8 WAR player last year which is no way near worth $18 million but for around $5 million and not giving up any blue chip prospects I would consider Soriano an absolute steal if we can get him for a reasonable prospect package. Here is my proposed package for Alfonso Soriano assuming that the Yankees would only be on the hook for $5 million for each of 2013 and 2014.

Cubs Get :

SP Brett Marshall

C JR Murphy

1B Greg Bird

Yankees Get:

Alfonso Soriano

$26 Million in Cash

News For Prospect Huggers

A couple bits of news...

1. Dellin Betances has been called up to take Brett Marshall's spot on the roster. This move is surely in response to Marshall throwing 5.2 innings yesterday, and likely being unavailable for a while. I'm sure people are intrigued by this move, but they shouldn't be excited. Dellin currently has an ERA of 5.40 in 8 AAA appearances this season, as he hasn't been able to control his pitches.

2. Aaron Harang has been scratched from tonight's start due to having a stiff lower back. Prospect huggers will be happy to know that in his place the Mariners will start Hector Noesi, who was part of the big Montero/Pineda trade last year. Noesi has appeared in 4 games this season, all as a reliever. As a starter in his MLB career, Hector's ERA is 6.40.

New York Yankees @ Cleveland Indians 5/13 Game 1

The Yankees and the Indians will play a straight double header today making up two games that were rained out earlier in the season. The Yankees and Indians will be allowed to call up a 26th man for the double header today only so expect the Yankees to bring an extra pitcher, probably Brett Marshall. The Yankees will send David Phelps to the mound to keep the Yankees five game winning streak alive and he will be opposed by Justin Masterson. The game will be televised at 12:05 pm ET on YES and on MLB TV

Scranton Railriders Roster Almost Complete

The Yankees AAA affiliate the Scranton Railriders roster is almost set with now 23 of their 25 man roster set in stone. I expect the final two spots to be filled by either Jose Pirela, Ronnier Mustelier, or Reggie Corona. If I had to guess I would think that the latter, Reggie Corona, would be left off the roster unless Ronnier starts the season on the DL. If David Aardsma clears waivers and heads down to AAA then that starts a whole new debate for another day. Let's look at the roster:

Pitchers

Vidal Nuno
Dellin Betances
Brett Marshall
Chien-Ming Wang
Jim Miller
Preston Claiborne
Juan Cedeno
Josh Spence
Sam Demel
Chase Whitley
Mark Montgomery
Chris Bootcheck

Catchers

Austin Romine
Bobby Wilson

Infielders

Dan Johnson
Gil Velazquez
David Adams
Corban Joseph
Luke Murton
Addison Maruszak

Outfielders

Melky Mesa
Thomas Neal
Zoilo Almonte

Yankees Cut Eleven Players From Spring Training Camp

The Yankees have cut eleven players from Spring Training camp today but the biggest cut was obviously Austin Romine who was the only player who had a legit shot at making the big league roster. The Yankees sent Francisco Rondon, Dellin Betances, Brett Marshall, and Austin Romine to the AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre. Manny Banuelos, Nik Turley, Jose Ramirez, and Ramon Flores have been sent down to the AA Trenton Thunder. The Yankees, because they are not on the 40 man roster, have reassigned Chase Whitley, JR Murphy, and Luke Morton to minor league camps.

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.

New York Yankees Spring Training Notes 2/28

Mariano Rivera threw a simulated game today which included 18 pitches. Rivera also did some fielding drills and did some running and the knee came through just fine. CC Sabathia also faced lived hitters today and made Ronnier Mustelier look silly on a few pitches. No word on when either of them will be in a Spring Training game but it is expected in the next two weeks.

The Yankees played a couple split squad games against the Toronto Blue Jays at home and against the Houston Astros on the road today and dropped them both.

Ichiro and Brett Gardner both seem locked in after getting hits again today against the Toronto Blue Jays. Chris Stewart was ejected from the game today after a bang bang play at first base where he was safe and called out, which is probably not going to help his cause to be the every day starting catcher. David Phelps final pitching line was 3 IP 2 H 1K 1 BB in the loss.

Melky Mesa made his case once again to replace the injured Curtis Granderson today against the Houston Astros while going 2-3 with 3 RBI's. Francisco Cervelli helped his cause to win the Yankees starting catcher job today when he threw out two would be base stealers. He wen't 0-3 at the plate but the Yankees don't seem to mind, especially in February. Brett Marshall's final pitching line in the loss was 3 IP 1 H 3 K's 0 BB's.

Yanks drop both split squad games vs. Blue Jays, Astros

Ir seems to me that things aren't turning out the way the Yankees planned during Spring Training. However, we have to remember a couple of things before we get crazy about the standings (which we shouldn't be doing).

1. The Yankees Major League starting pitchers haven't even been in a game so far.

2. The Yankees hitters have only went about 5-6 innings before getting taken out.

3. It's Spring Training. Almost everyone's rusty.

However, it would be nice to see the Yankees win a game or two. Let's break down the good (and bad) that came out of each game. That seems like an easier way to recap the split-squad games.

Blue Jays vs. Yankees

Gardner & Ichiro are locked in: If the season started today, Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki wouldn't mind. At all. Both of them as of right now are easily the best hitters on the team, with both of their batting averages over .500. Gardner went 1-for-3 today, now successfully hitting in four-straight games. Ichiro also had a 1-for-3 day, extending his hitting streak. It's nice to know that out of the gate the two speedsters are ready for the 2013 season. Now if everyone else behind them can catch up, that would be great.

Clay Rapada is unstoppable (and undefeated): Clay Rapada had the quickest 1-2-3 inning, that if you went to the kitchen to get a glass of water and come back, the inning would be over due to his sheer brilliance on the mound. There's also an interesting fact that YES gave about Rapada: He's been in 148 games and his overall record is 8-0 in the Majors. That means that Clay Rapada has never lost a game in his Major League career. Never. Ever. Just judging by today's game, I would already have a nice roster spot for Mr. Rapada. He looked in mid-season form.

Chris Stewart ejected: Chris Stewart only had one at-bat. And that one-at bat would be the last at-bat that he would have on the day. He hit into a bang-bang play at first base. YES instant replay showed Stewart's foot touched the bag before the ball went into the first baseman's glove. However, Marty Foster called him out. Stewart said something and then was ejected from the game, making him the first ejection of the Spring. Just so you know, Spring Training ejections don't happen very often, so that must mean Marty Foster in in mid-season form.

David Phelps pitches strong: David Phelps had another strong outing, going 3 innings, giving up 2 hits, 1 walk and 1 strikeout. Phelps' future with the Yankees could be either one of two things at this point: he could either be in the rotation, taking the 5th spot from Ivan Nova, or he could be in the bullpen, helping out in later innings. I don't see him going back to the minor leagues, at all.

Yankees vs. Astros:

Melky Mesa has great game: The young CF looks to be in the front running of who could take Curtis Granderson's job for the next 4-6 weeks after the big day he had at the plate. The young CF went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI's on the day. I wonder what John Sterling's HR call would be for the young OF if he ever had a chance to play on the big league club--and if he homered.

Nunez helmet won't stay on: Another day, another chance to see Eduardo Nunez's helmet fall off his head. Just as I had hoped that Nunez would be able to keep the helmet on while running down the first baseline, it came off when he hit a lead-off single in the first inning. Maybe someone should add a chin strap or get him a helmet like Francisco Cervelli's. That way it can't come off.

Cervelli's strong day behind the plate: Speaking of the young catcher, Cervelli had a great day behind the plate, throwing out two runners who were attempting to steal. Offensively, he went 0-for-3. Maybe it didn't help that Chris Stewart was ejected because judging by what happened today, it looks like Cervelli took the lead in the catching competition.

Marshall has a good start: Another Brett on the Yankees ball-club had a great day as well, and his name is Brett Marshall. Through three innings, he struck out three and only allowed one hit. Now that is some impressive numbers from the young starter, who is one of the few players actually impressing this Spring Training.

WHAT'S NEXT:

-- The Phillies will take the drive from Clearwater to Tampa in order to play the Yankees at GMS Field tomorrow. Robinson Cano is expected to be in the lineup tomorrow and Saturday before leaving on Sunday for the World Baseball Classic. The game will be at 1:05 p.m. on the YES Network.

New York Yankees Spring Training Notes 2/19

The Yankees have announced that David Phelps will start the Grapefruit League opener on Saturday. Adam Warren will start the game on Sunday. Both of these guys were considered because of how far ahead of everyone else they were and the fact that they have already faced live hitting factored into the decision as well. Phil Hughes, even before the injury, was not in consideration supposedly for the start even though he was so far ahead of the rest as well.

Austin Romine says he has stopped thinking about his back and thinks that he is 100% past the injury that cost him most of the 2012 season. This is great news if it is true especially going forward for the 2014 season.

Mark Teixeira's last day in Yankees camp will be March 2nd and Robinson Cano's last day in camp will be March 3rd before both men leave for the World Baseball Classic. That will give both players about eight or nine Yankees games before working out for the WBC.

Mark Montgomery played catch today and said everything feels fine other then a little stiffness in his back, which is expected. The Yankees top bullpen prospect and heir apparent to Mariano Rivera needs to be healthy, especially if Mariano retires after this season, so this is good news. He is expected to throw another side session as early as Thursday or Friday.

Adam Warren, Nik Turley, Brett Marshall, and David Phelps all threw simulated games today against live batting practice. David Phelps threw around 40 pitches all told including one that Ronnier Mustelier sent back flying past Phelps head. Thank goodness everyone is fine.

Meet A Prospect : Brett Marshall

Brett Edward Marshall was born on March 22nd 1990 in Highlands, Texas. Brett was drafted in the sixth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First Years Players Draft out of Sterling High School in Sterling, Texas after going 10-2 with a 2.27 ERA  and 116 strike outs as a senior on his way to winning the All-Greater Houston Player of the Year award. He also batted clean up for that senior team and put up an impressive line of 10 home runs and 49 RBIs while hitting for a ridiculous .440 batting average. The Yankees offered him enough money to get him out of his letter of intent to Rice University with a signing bonus of $850,000 plus another $200,000 for his college education to go with a $7,500 incentive package that triggers as he moves through the Yankees system. With a 6'0 195 lb frame he is on the smaller side of big enough to not have durability concerns and will be entering his age 23 season in 2013. 

Brett Marshall is a recent Tommy John surgery recipient in 2009 and has come back healthier with a good season in 2011 with the Tampa Yankees and then a break out 2012 season with the Tampa Yankees and the Trenton Thunder. His first season removed from Tommy John surgery was in 2010 and Brett stopped in three Yankees minor league affiliates including the Tampa Yankees, Charleston Riverdogs, and the Gulf Coast League Yankees compiling a combined pitching line of 4-2 with a 2.57 ERA 84 IP with 70 Ks and a 1.06 WHIP. In 2011 he built on his first healthy season back from the surgery with a line of 9-7 with a 3.68 ERA in 140 IP while compiling 114 Ks and a 1.354 WHIP. In 2012 his final stat line was a 13-7 record with a 3.52 ERA in 27 starts and 158.1 IP. Along the way Brett compiled 120 strike outs to go with a .255 batting average against.

ETA : Late 2013 - Mid 2014

The Greedy Pinstripes Top 25 Prospect List

I have decided in honor of "prospect month" on The Greedy Pinstripes for the month of February that I would wait until now to post my own personal Top 25 prospects list. Love it or hate it but either way here it goes. Here is a little bit of a spoiler, I am guaranteed to turn some heads with my #1 selection.

25. Corey Black

24. Matt Tracy

23. Adam Warren

22. Nick Goody

21. JR Murphy

20. Cito Culver

19. Corban Joseph

18. Austin Romine

17. Bryan Mitchell

16. Greg Bird

15. Dante Bichette Jr. 

14. David Adams

13. Nik Turley

12. Jose A. Ramirez

11. Angelo Gumbs

10. Mark Montgomery

9. Ty Hensley

8. Brett Marshall

7. Manny Banuelos

6. Rafael DePaula

5. Jose Campos

4. Slade Heathcott

3. Mason Williams

2. Gary Sanchez

1. Tyler Austin