Yankees Release 10 Minor Leaguers

According to Robert Pimpsner and Pinstriped Prospects the New York Yankees have released 10 minor league players from their contracts already this offseason. The Yankees have released now 11 minor league players according to Pimpsner including the release of RHP Jeris Casanova earlier in the month. All but two of these players played in the Dominican Summer League while two were from the GCL Yankees.

The list includes RHP Luis Rosario and  RHP Juan Escorcia, both from the GCL Yankees, and RHP Juan Rodriguez, RHP Arcadio Campusano, LHP Orby Tavares, LHP Eduardo Peluso, LHP Carlos Diaz, LHP Edintson Naranjo, 3B Kleiber Maneiro and SS Holman Miranda.

Check out THIS link from Pinstriped Prospects as Mr. Pimpsner has some information and write ups regarding the prospects that were released. Enjoy.

http://pinstripedprospects.com/yankees-release-ten-minor-leaguers-18221

Most Popular Article of the Week: Two Yankees Minor Leagues Suspended for Drugs

Well after a great day here is a somber end to the evening. Two members of the New York Yankees minor league family were caught with and suspended for performance enhancing drugs this week.


Edel Luaces and Erick Mendez both received 50-game suspensions without pay for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs according to NJ.com and their Advanced Media. Both were members of the GCL Yankees although Mendez received a promotion to Pulaski later on in the 2016 regular season.





Like I’ve said many, many times before. This game is still not clean and it may never be.

Two Yankees Minor Leagues Suspended for Drugs

Well after a great day here is a somber end to the evening. Two members of the New York Yankees minor league family were caught with and suspended for performance enhancing drugs this week.

Edel Luaces and Erick Mendez both received 50-game suspensions without pay for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs according to NJ.com and their Advanced Media. Both were members of the GCL Yankees although Mendez received a promotion to Pulaski later on in the 2016 regular season.

Like I’ve said many, many times before. This game is still not clean and it may never be. 

Introducing the 2016 Gulf Coast League All-Stars

Gulf Coast League Announces 2016 All-Star Team Nationals outfielder Juan Soto named Most Valuable Player  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Gulf Coast League today announced its 2016 All-Star Team, Most Valuable Player and Manager of the Year.

Nationals outfielder Juan Soto was named the league MVP after leading the league in hitting (.361), slugging (.550), OPS (.960) and total bases (93), while finishing second in the league in hits (61). Soto, 17, recorded 18 multi-hit games and had separate hitting streaks of seven, nine and 10 games. He was promoted to the Auburn Doubledays in the New York-Penn League on Sept. 1. The Washington Nationals signed the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native as a 16-year-old non-drafted free agent in 2015.  

Phillies manager Roly deArmas was named Manager of the Year after guiding the Phillies to a 43-15 record and a berth in the Gulf Coast League Championship Series. deArmas played in the Philadelphia Phillies organization as an infielder from 1973-1977 and began his professional coaching career in 1978. He has managed the GCL Phillies to a 430-337 record over for 13 seasons (2001-2002, 2004 and 2007-2016).  

The GCL Cardinals claimed their first league championship in franchise history with a 2-1 series victory over the Phillies.  

2016 GULF COAST LEAGUE ALL-STAR TEAM

1B David Jacob  21 Toronto  
2B Daniel Brito  18 Philadelphia
3B Michael Brosseau  22 Tampa Bay
SS Bo Bichette  18 Toronto   
C Carlos Sanchez  20 New York (NL)
UTL Aaron Whitefield  20
DH Randy Ventura  19 Atlanta  
OF Juan Soto  17 Washington
OF Jesus Sanchez  18 Tampa Bay
OF Lorenzo Cedrola  18 Boston  
RHP Sixto Sanchez  18 Philadelphia
LHP Nick Fanti  19 Philadelphia
RP Jared Carkuff  23 Toronto  


About the Gulf Coast League  
Founded in 1964, the Gulf Coast League has operated rookie-level teams in Minor League Baseball throughout the central area of Florida for more than 50 years. The Minor League Baseball office, located in St. Petersburg, Florida, assumed league operations in 2010. The league consists of 17 teams from 15 Major League Baseball affiliates. For more information, visit milb.com

Weekly Prospects Check In: Blake Rutherford

The New York Yankees have shown in the past a reluctance to call up their top prospects or be aggressive with their promotions throughout the system. We saw Jorge Mateo get suspended because of it and we've seen it countless times with Robert Refsnyder, Kyle Roller and now with Tyler Austin but who I don't think we'll see it with is the Yankees top pick from the 2016 Draft, Blake Rutherford.

Rutherford signed and was immediately placed with the GCL Yankees but he has already conquered the affiliate and was called up to Pulaski. While the Pulaski Yankees are still considered rookie ball a promotion is a promotion and it's just another affiliate and stop that Rutherford is absolutely dominating.

Is a call up coming soon? History would tell you no but these stats tell another story. Stay tuned.

Year	Age	Tm	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	19	2 Teams	23	94	10	31	6	2	9	0	9	22	.378	.436	.622	1.058
2016	19	Pulaski	15	64	7	25	5	1	6	0	5	16	.439	.484	.719	1.204
2016	19	Yankees West	8	30	3	6	1	1	3	0	4	6	.240	.333	.400	.733

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Weekly Prospects Check In: Blake Rutherford

Blake Rutherford was drafted 18^th overall in the 2016 MLB Draft and has since signed a deal with the New York Yankees to begin his professional career. As we found out last week in our weekly check in post Rutherford was assigned to the GCL West Yankees and has since played in his first game. Last week was an extremely small sample size of just a handful of games but this week he has a full week under his belt and maybe, possibly his first base hit.

Let’s find out and check in with the future in the Yankees outfield, Blake Rutherford: 

Year	Age	Lev	Aff	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	19	Rk	NYY	7	26	3	5	1	1	3	0	3	5	.227	.308	.409	.717

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Meet a Prospect: Christian Herstine

Herstine, right, after pitching a no hitter. Courtesy of NCAA.com

The New York Yankees have added a bit of depth to their minor league system this week that I thought you all would like to meet. His name is Christian Herstine and he had been playing with the Gary SouthShore RailCats, a minor league team in the Independent American Association, as a pitcher. Herstine is a big and powerful relief pitcher that will look to fly through the Yankees system on his way to the Major Leagues. Let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: Christian Herstine.

Herstine is a 22-year old right-handed pitcher who had his contract purchased by the New York Yankees recently giving him the opportunity to begin his professional career. While with the RailCats Herstine had thrown in five games and 8.2 innings allowing just one earned run while posting 10 strikeouts and an anemic 1.03 ERA. Herstine was scouted by Yankees scouts recently and he was told to report to the Yankees minor league facility in Tampa to begin his career. It’s unsure where he will land but one of the Gulf Coast League teams or the Tampa Yankees seem to be the most obvious choices.

Herstine was a non-drafted free agent before latching on with SouthShore after going 9-4 with a 2.32 ERA at Marietta College in 2016. Herstine, as a starter, led his Pioneers teammates to the regional round of the Division III tournament before his collegiate career ended. Now he will take his power stuff to professional baseball.

It’s unclear whether the Yankees plan to work him as a starter or as a relief pitcher but with an arm like scouting reports say that he has you would have to think he would be given every opportunity to fail as a starter before being shifted to the bullpen. This isn’t a signing that’s going to make LoHud, River Ave Blues or MLB Tonight but it’s these little signings that I like focusing on. The underdog story. The David vs. Goliath. Those are my kind of stories.

Welcome to the family Christian. Hope you enjoy your stay. 

Weekly Prospects Check In: Blake Rutherford

Ladies and gentleman Blake Rutherford is officially a member of the New York Yankees. Yes I know he had signed a contract a few weeks ago and we did a Meet a Prospect on him but now he’s truly a Yankee. No it’s not because he made his debut with the GCL Yankees it’s because we, The Greedy Pinstripes, checked in with him on the blog. Awesome, right? With ultimate power comes ultimate responsibility though so we don’t take the keys to being a Yankee lightly I assure you.

In all seriousness though Rutherford did make his GCL debut and professional debut and since half the Yankees prospects are either called up, assigned to another day or injured I figured what the heck. Let’s check in with Rutherford now. Enjoy. 

Meet a Prospect: Blake Rutherford

The New York Yankees have signed each of their Top 10 draft picks from this year’s MLB First Year Players Draft but none of them may be more important than the 18^th overall pick Blake Rutherford. Rutherford is one of those special talents that, if developed correctly, could become an absolute powerhouse in the league and in center field for the Yankees for a long, long time. Rutherford is special and after signing with the Yankees this week well ahead of the deadline to sign the long process to the Major Leagues can begin. Let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The Blake Rutherford Edition.

Blake Rutherford was born on May 2, 1997 and attended Chaminade College Preparatory School at the time the Yankees came calling with the 18^th overall pick in the 2016 Draft. As a freshman in Chaminade Rutherford committed to UCLA but has forgone that commitment to begin his professional career with the Yankees. Rutherford headed into the draft as a Top 10 potential pick while some even discussed him going first overall to the Phillies despite concerns that he would not sign.

So with the 19-year old the Yankees got potentially first overall talent and definitely Top 10 talent with the #18 pick. Some said he wouldn’t sign but it was clear as you watched the draft that money was not going to keep Rutherford from signing. Rutherford has drawn comparisons to Alex Gordon of the Kansas City Royals since draft day with his arm being a concern that may push him from center field to left field but the power should come eventually. I say again, Rutherford is 19-years old.

At 19 MLB.com finds Rutherford to be an above-average hitters with above-average raw power. Rutherford has great speed on the bases and in the outfield although MLB.com thinks Rutherford will eventually move to right field. Rutherford garnered a 55 score on the 20-80 scale that scouts use by MLB.com with his running coming in at 60, his best score individually.

Rutherford can hit with power to all fields, brings athleticism to the system and has a line-drive swing that I personally enjoy watching. I hope I’ll enjoy watching him in Yankees pinstripes for a long, long time. Welcome to the team Blake and more importantly welcome to the family. 

TGP Prospects Month Top 29 Prospects List - #4 James Kaprielian

What can you say about the Yankees first pick, 16th overall, in the 2015 MLB First year Players Draft that hasn't already been said? James Kaprielian was taken 16th overall out of UCLA in last years draft and was deemed MLB ready out of the draft. New York needed a fast riser and they got one in Kaprielian who could reach the Major Leagues as soon as the 2016 season. Kaprielian did nothing last year to keep any of the Yankees brass up at night after spending time in the Gulf Coast League and in the New York/Penn League with the Staten Island Yankees.

Kaprielian was considered to be a middle-of-the-rotation type starter as his ceiling with a fastball that sat around 92 MPH but somehow Kaprielian has found a couple ticks in his velocity getting up to 94-95 MPH consistently. If Kaprielian can keep this velocity and cut down on the 7.7 BB/9 ratio he had with the GCL Yankees, and he did in Staten Island in a larger sample size, he could easily be a #2 starter if he reaches his ceiling.

By the way, because I've heard about every pronunciation of his name possible thus far, the Yankees 4th best prospect on our Top Prospects List is pronounced as if it was spelled Kaprilian.

4. James Kaprielian
5. Robert Refsnyder
6. Domingo Acevedo
7. Dustin Fowler
8. Wilkerman Garcia
9. Ian Clarkin
10. Brady Lail
11. Jacob Lindgren
12. Bryan Mitchell
13. Drew Finley
14. Mason Williams
15. Slade Heathcott
16. Abi Avelino
17. Hoy-Jun Park
18. Luis Torrens
19. Cale Coshow
20. Chance Adams
21. Miguel Andujar
22. Jonathan Holder
23. Tyler Wade
24. Nick Rumbelow
25.Jordan Montgomery
26.Trey Amburgey
27. Ben Gamel
28. Austin DeCarr
29. Thairo Estrada
30. James Pazos

Weekly Check In: James Kaprielian

James Kaprielian will finish his first professional season in Major League Baseball with a playoff appearance with the Staten Island Yankees. Kaprielian had to watch as Domingo Acevedo started Game One of the Championship round while Dario Agrazal started Game Two with the SI Yankees back against the elimination wall.

Kaprielian dropped his ERA over nine points from his time with the GCL Yankees to Staten Island, although he was a relief pitcher in the GCL and was a starter in the New York-Penn League. Kaprielian will pitch much more in 2016 but he had a great 2015 that he can build off of and that's worth more than any stat line is.

Year	Lev	W	L	ERA	G	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	H9	HR9	BB9	SO9
2015	A--Rk	0	5	3.90	18	64.2	56	41	28	1	18	38	1.144	7.8	0.1	2.5	5.3
2015	Rk	0	0	11.57	2	2.1	2	4	3	0	2	2	1.714	7.7	0.0	7.7	7.7
2015	A-

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

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.

ICYMI: Jorge Mateo 4th Best Prospect in GCL

The New York Yankees have two players in the GCL Top 20 prospects list from Baseball America and they are shortstop Jorge Mateo and shortstop Angel Aguilar. Mateo was ranked as the fourth best prospect in the GCL while Aguilar was ranked 15th. Both players were in their age 19 season in 2014.

Mateo hit .276/.354/.397 with 11 steals and Aguilar hit .331/.373/.536 with seven home runs.

ICYMI: Yankees To Add Third Rookie Ball Affiliate

The New York Yankees have made an agreement with Pulaski County and the Appalachian League to field a third rookie ball affiliate in 2015. The Yankees will replace the Seattle Mariners affiliate in the league after the M's backed out of their agreement.

The Pulaski Yankees would be a more advanced league than your run of the mill rookie ball affiliates. In the GCL teams don't play in their own stadiums and fields like they will in this new league. Think of this league as a halfway point from the GCL to the short season Staten Island Yankees.

The Pulaski Yankees will play their home games in Virginia at Calfee Park in Pulaski. The stadium is a historic monument in Virginia and was built way back in 1935. The stadium is actually built in the middle of a residential neighborhood believe it or not. The Yankees are reportedly going to pump $3 million - $3.5 million into the stadium in renovations before the team moves in next season.

Here's the quote from Roanake.com about the renovations:

Calfee Park will get a $2 million facelift that will include adding new seating, upgrading parking and concession areas, and replacing clubhouses and the press box. The old shelter above the third-baseline seating, which dates to the park's 1935 construction and is designated as the family section, is to remain. The overall feel of the park should remain small-town and downhome, Hagan said last week.

Another $1 million to $1.5 million is to be spent building an extended stay facility so ballplayers can live in downtown Pulaski during the season. In recent years, Mariners players stayed in a motel in Wytheville.

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.

Yankees To Add Third Rookie Ball Affiliate

The New York Yankees have made an agreement with Pulaski County and the Appalachian League to field a third rookie ball affiliate in 2015. The Yankees will replace the Seattle Mariners affiliate in the league after the M's backed out of their agreement.

The Pulaski Yankees would be a more advanced league than your run of the mill rookie ball affiliates. In the GCL teams don't play in their own stadiums and fields like they will in this new league. Think of this league as a halfway point from the GCL to the short season Staten Island Yankees.

The Pulaski Yankees will play their home games in Virginia at Calfee Park in Pulaski. The stadium is a historic monument in Virginia and was built way back in 1935. The stadium is actually built in the middle of a residential neighborhood believe it or not. The Yankees are reportedly going to pump $3 million - $3.5 million into the stadium in renovations before the team moves in next season.

Here's the quote from Roanake.com about the renovations:

Calfee Park will get a $2 million facelift that will include adding new seating, upgrading parking and concession areas, and replacing clubhouses and the press box. The old shelter above the third-baseline seating, which dates to the park's 1935 construction and is designated as the family section, is to remain. The overall feel of the park should remain small-town and downhome, Hagan said last week.

Another $1 million to $1.5 million is to be spent building an extended stay facility so ballplayers can live in downtown Pulaski during the season. In recent years, Mariners players stayed in a motel in Wytheville.

Yankees Sign Deshorn Lake To Minor League Deal

Another day and another undrafted minor league free agent signed by the New York Yankees, this time it's Deshorn Lake. Lake has the talent but has fallen off the map a bit after being drafted in 2011 by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round. The Yankees saw enough talent in the relief pitcher to take a waiver on him after only pitching in 8.1 innings for his Mount Olive team with an 0-1 record and a 4.76 ERA with two saves in six appearances.

Lake will head down to the GCL Yankees after passing his physical.

Jacob Lindrgen & Austin DeCarr Debuted Last Night

The New York Yankees top two picks in the 2014 MLB draft debuted last night for the GCL Yankees. Jacob Lindgren was the Yankees top overall pick and was drafted in the second round and Austin DeCarr was taken out of High School in the third round, the Yankees second pick.

Both were in action for the rookie league GCL Yankees and made their professional debuts. Lindgren threw an inning and allowed two hits while striking out two and getting a ground ball for the third out. DeCarr also went an inning and allowed one hit with a walk, a strikeout, and a ground ball that looks like a double play if the box score is correct.

Neither did much more than get their feet wet last night but you have to start somewhere, the rest is downhill from here for these two bright spots in the Yankees draft. FYI Jonathan Holder, Lindgren's former teammate, allowed six hits and four runs in 1.2 innings in the same game walking one and striking out three in his second professional game. Get 'em next time kid!