Meet a Prospect: Five Prospects in One

The New York Yankees have been adding as much minor league depth as they can find in recent weeks and rather do Meet a Prospect posts for every one of them I figured we could lump them all into one big post. Those names include Jose Rosario, Richard Bleier, Juan Silva, Sebastian Valle and Cesar Puello.

These write-ups come courtesy of LoHud Yankees Blog:

Sebastian Valle - Catcher

In the past: Once thought of as a top catching prospect, Valle has never reached the big leagues, but he’s still just 25 years old, he has some Triple-A experience, and he’s coming off a pretty good year in Double-A with a .754 OPS. He’s played in Mexico this winter.
Role to play: The Yankees are pretty thin at catcher in the upper levels, and Valle gives them an option who could be a Double-A regular, a Triple-A backup or even a Triple-A regular. Given the uncertainty of Gary Sanchez’s situation, the Yankees need some options behind the plate.


Jose Rosario - Utility

In the past: Primarily a middle infielder in the low minors, Rosario has shifted to a true utility role in recent seasons. His entire career was spent with the Yankees, so they’re signing a known commodity. He was still putting up pretty decent numbers as recently as 2014 when he was in High-A.
Role to play: Has played every position except catcher and first base, so he fits any franchise as an organizational utility man who can plug holes anywhere. Seems to most naturally fit the Double-A roster, but he could fill a bench role in Triple-A if necessary.


Richard Bleier - Left-handed starter

In the past: Has been both a starter and a reliever, but he most recently pitched as a starter through most of the 2015 season. And he put up really good numbers with a 2.94 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP between the two levels. Doesn’t strike out many guys, but doesn’t walk many either.
Role to play: This should be familiar, because it’s another bit of upper-level rotation depth. Probably not necessarily a next-in-line option for the big leagues, but certainly a guy who can provide innings in Double-A or Triple-A. If he can repeat his 2015 numbers, Bleier could put himself more firmly on the radar. But this looks a Double-A/Triple-A swingman as much as anything.


Juan Silva - Outfielder

In the past: Left-handed hitter with experience at all three outfield positions. He turns 25 in January and just got his first Double-A and Triple-A experience. Doesn’t have huge stolen base numbers, but in 2014 he was named the fastest and best baserunner in the California League.
Role to play: There’s not much room in the Triple-A outfield, but Silva could fit the Double-A roster. He’s shown some speed and on-base ability, and the Yankees like those two things. Another left-handed hitter, but he mostly fits as another option for Double-A (and he fits the Yankees’ mold).


And the Cesar Puello writeup was done by myself:

Puello missed much of the 2015 season with a back injury while inside the New York Mets organization. Puello was flat out released in August after an up-and-down tenure with the Metropolitans. Puello was suspended for 50 games after the whole Biogenesis clinic was shut down in Miami and is the only player to not reach the majors after the suspension. Puello was once a top outfield prospect for the Mets before the suspension, injuries and ineffectiveness dampened his career.

Meet a Prospect: All Those New Guys New York Signed

The New York Yankees have been adding as much minor league depth as they can find in recent weeks and rather do Meet a Prospect posts for every one of them I figured we could lump them all into one big post. We already met Vinnie Pestano because he has Major League experience and was a great relief pitcher for a couple years with the Cleveland Indians but the other guys have not shared the same successes yet. Those names include Jose Rosario, Richard Bleier, Juan Silva, Sebastian Valle and Cesar Puello.

These write ups courtesy of LoHud Yankees Blog:

Sebastian Valle
Catcher
In the past: Once thought of as a top catching prospect, Valle has never reached the big leagues, but he’s still just 25 years old, he has some Triple-A experience, and he’s coming off a pretty good year in Double-A with a .754 OPS. He’s played in Mexico this winter.
Role to play: The Yankees are pretty thin at catcher in the upper levels, and Valle gives them an option who could be a Double-A regular, a Triple-A backup or even a Triple-A regular. Given the uncertainty of Gary Sanchez’s situation, the Yankees need some options behind the plate.

Jose Rosario
Utility
In the past: Primarily a middle infielder in the low minors, Rosario has shifted to a true utility role in recent seasons. His entire career was spent with the Yankees, so they’re signing a known commodity. He was still putting up pretty decent numbers as recently as 2014 when he was in High-A.
Role to play: Has played every position except catcher and first base, so he fits any franchise as an organizational utility man who can plug holes anywhere. Seems to most naturally fit the Double-A roster, but he could fill a bench role in Triple-A if necessary.

Richard Bleier
Left-handed starter
In the past: Has been both a starter and a reliever, but he most recently pitched as a starter through most of the 2015 season. And he put up really good numbers with a 2.94 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP between the two levels. Doesn’t strike out many guys, but doesn’t walk many either.
Role to play: This should be familiar, because it’s another bit of upper-level rotation depth. Probably not necessarily a next-in-line option for the big leagues, but certainly a guy who can provide innings in Double-A or Triple-A. If he can repeat his 2015 numbers, Bleier could put himself more firmly on the radar. But this looks a Double-A/Triple-A swingman as much as anything.

Juan Silva
Outfielder
In the past: Left-handed hitter with experience at all three outfield positions. He turns 25 in January and just got his first Double-A and Triple-A experience. Doesn’t have huge stolen base numbers, but in 2014 he was named the fastest and best baserunner in the California League.
Role to play: There’s not much room in the Triple-A outfield, but Silva could fit the Double-A roster. He’s shown some speed and on-base ability, and the Yankees like those two things. Another left-handed hitter, but he mostly fits as another option for Double-A (and he fits the Yankees’ mold).

And the Cesar Puello writeup was done by myself:

Puello missed much of the 2015 season with a back injury while inside the New York Mets organization. Puello was flat out released in August after an up-and-down tenure with the Metropolitans. Puello was suspended for 50 games after the whole Biogenesis clinic was shut down in Miami and is the only player to not reach the majors after the suspension. Puello was once a top outfield prospect for the Mets before the suspension, injuries and ineffectiveness dampened his career. 

Charleston Falls In Extras In Road Finale

Charleston Falls In Extras In Road Finale

Greenville ties it in the 9th, wins it in the 11th to avoid the sweep

GREENVILLE, SC - Mario Martinez hit a broken bat, walk-off RBI single into left field with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning to send the Greenville Drive to a 2-1 extra innings win over the Charleston RiverDogs at Fluor Field at The West End on Wednesday night.

With the loss, the RiverDogs fall to 34-32 in the second half and 73-61 overall. Charleston finishes the season an even 35-35 on the road. The Drive improve to 27-36 in second half play and 49-83 overall with the win.

It was an old fashioned pitcher's duel for the first seven innings of the game with neither team scoring a run until the eighth.

In the top of the eighth, Jake Cave led off with his sixth triple of the year and promptly scored on Jose Rosario's RBI single to give the RiverDogs a 1-0 lead. However, the lead would not last.

In the bottom of the ninth the Drive tied the game thanks to a two singles and an error to force extra innings.

That's when Martinez came through with the walk-off single to win it in the 11th.

Rookie Davis made his Charleston debut, and the righty was impressive. In five shutout innings he didn't walk a batter, gave up eight hits, and fanned six.

Sergio Gomez made the start for Greenville and was even better. Gomez allowed just two hits in six shutout innings, walked three, and collected three strikeouts.

The bullpens were phenomenal for both squads as well. Derek Varnadore threw five innings in relief for Charleston and gave up just one run on three hits with four strikeouts. John Brebbia got tagged with the loss for the Dogs following the walk-off single in the 11th. He recorded two outs, gave up a hit, and walked a man. Brebbia falls to 0-2 on the year.

Raynell Velette went two innings in relief for the Drive and surrendered the only run Charleston scored in the game. He allowed four hits and struck out three. The most effective pitcher in the pitching dominated game was Kyle Martin who spun three hitless, scoreless innings with one walk and four strikeouts. Martin earned the victory to improve to 2-1.

Danny Oh had a fantastic game offensively for the RiverDogs with a 3-3, double, walk performance. Greg Bird went 0-3, but walked twice, once intentionally.

COMING UP: Thursday is the final off day of the season for the RiverDogs. The team will open their final homestand of the year at The Joe on Friday night with the first of four games against the Rome Braves. Charleston will start RHP Brett Gerritse (8-7, 3.60 ERA) for the last time this season, and Rome will counter with RHP Mauricio Cabrera (3-8, 41.8 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 on Friday night.

It will be the final Red Shirt Friday of the year as fans who wear red to the box office can save $1 off their ticket OR donate that dollar to local charity Canines for Veterans. "Titus the Wonder Dog" will be on hand to show off his batboy skills and multiple tricks during the game. As part of the last Red Shirt Friday there will be a silent auction during the game to win the unique red, white and blue digi-camo jerseys off the backs of the RiverDogs players. Fans of Dante Bichette, Jr., Greg Bird and Cito Culver can bid online at www.RiverDogs.com until Saturday. After the contest, we will again light up the sky over the scenic Ashley River with another Piggly Wiggly Postgame Fireworks show. It's also a Miller/Coors Aluminum Pint Nite as folks 21 and older can enjoy $2 specials on aluminum pints. Fans can purchase tickets at www.riverdogs.com, over the phone at 843/723-7241, or in-person at the Riley Park Box Office. Fans may also listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/185R8uY

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

Rosario, Bichette Jr. Slug Charleston Past Greenville

Rosario, Bichette Jr. Slug Charleston Past Greenville

RiverDogs smash three homers, win third straight

GREENVILLE, SC - Jose Rosario blasted two homers and Dante Bichette, Jr. also went deep as the Charleston RiverDogs powered their way past the Greenville Drive 9-6 on Monday night in the series opener at Fluor Field at The West End. Charleston has now won three consecutive games.

With the win, the RiverDogs improve to 33-31 in the second half and 72-60 overall. The Drive fall to 26-35 in second half play and 48-81 overall with the loss.

In the top of the first inning, Jake Cave doubled and later scored on a passed ball to put Charleston up 1-0 early.

Greenville tied the game at 1-1 on three hits and a hit by pitch in the bottom of the first inning, but stranded the bases loaded to keep it tied.

In the bottom of the second the Drive got right back at it and added another run, this time on a hit, a wild pitch, and a couple errors to take a 2-1 lead. Once again Greenville stranded two men in scoring position though and couldn't add more damage.

Greg Bird doubled to begin the fourth inning for the Dogs and later scored on a double play ball to tie the contest at 2-2.

In the fifth is where the Charleston bats really came alive.

With two outs and runners at the corners, Jose Rosario worked a 10 pitch at-bat and cranked his second homer of the year over the left field wall. The three run blast gave the visiting team a 5-2 lead.

Greenville scored twice on three hits in the bottom of the fifth to cut it to 5-4.

Dante Bichette, Jr. quickly extended the RiverDogs' lead back to three runs with a towering two-run, opposite field homer in the top of the sixth. The tenth of the year for Bichette, Jr. made it 7-4 Dogs.

Daniel Aldrich knocked in another run later in the frame for Charleston to make it 8-4 in the middle of the sixth.

The Drive cut it to 8-6 with a couple runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Rosario's second homer of the night, a solo shot, put Charleston up 9-6 for good.

Rosario finished the game 3-4 with two homers, four RBI, and two runs scored.

John Brebbia spun two scoreless innings to close it out for the RiverDogs and collect his first save of the season.

Starter Daniel Camarena came up one out shy of factoring in the decision after he tossed 4.2 innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on seven hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts.

Righty Kelvin Castro threw 2.1 innings, struck out three, and allowed two runs on three hits. He earned the win to go to 1-0.

Justin Haley started for Greenville and earned the loss. He gave up five runs on six hits and fanned four. His record now stands at 7-10.

Reliever Gerardo Olivares also got roughed up by the RiverDogs to the tune of four runs, five hits, and two homers in two innings of work.

COMING UP: Game two of this three game series is Tuesday night at 7:05. Charleston will send out LHP Eric Wooten (1-1, 1.74 ERA) and Greenville will start with RHP Francisco Taveras (2-4, 6.61 ERA). Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/18X4GtM

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