Meet a Prospect: L.J. Mazzilli

The New York Yankees made an interesting move this week when they swapped outfielder Kendall Coleman for New York Mets prospect L.J. Mazzilli. It was interesting to see Mazzilli join the organization that currently employs his father, Lee Mazzilli, who is a special advisor to the Yankees front office, and his twin sister and YES Network personality Lacey Mazzilli. While trading Coleman makes sense for the Yankees, the former 11^th round pick has struggled in Low-A ball since his drafting in 2013, it hurts a bit as a fan as I have grown close to Coleman and even interviewed him shortly after the Yankees drafted him here on the site. I will try not to hold my fandom and personal feelings against L.J. as I introduce him to the Yankees and Greedy Pinstripes faithful here this morning. This is Meet a Prospect: The L.J. Mazzilli Edition.

Lee Louis Mazzilli Jr. was born on September 6, 1990 in Greenwich, Connecticut to former MLB player and pitching coach Lee Mazzilli and his wife Dani. Lee Louis, or L.J. which stands for Lee Jr., played Little League Baseball while in Greenwich and even won a Little League Home Run Derby at the age of 12 before truly beginning his amateur career at Greenwich High School. Mazzilli later transferred to Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, New York due to their stronger baseball program before ultimately ending up at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for his senior year of High School. All the bouncing around did some good for Mazzilli as the shortstop was able to enroll at the University of Connecticut where he continued his amateur baseball career.

While playing for the Connecticut Huskies baseball team Mazzilli was moved to second base as the Huskies had Nick Ahmed already manning the shortstop position. Mazzilli showed great potential with his bat as a freshman, sophomore and junior garnering the attention of the Minnesota twins who selected Mazzilli in the ninth round, 280^th overall, of the 2012 MLB First Year Players Draft. Mazzilli ultimately decided not sign with Minnesota despite being offered a $260,000 signing bonus and returned to UCONN for his senior season. The decision turned out to be a good one for Mazzilli who hit .354 with 51 RBI and 29 stolen bases as a senior.

The New York Mets selected Mazzilli in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft with the 116^th overall selection and was immediately signed to the New York-Penn League. Mazzilli was named to the Short Season All-Star team in 2013 before earning a promotion to Class-A Ball and the South Atlantic League (SAL) for the 2014 season. Another year and another All-Star Game appearance for Mazzilli in 2014, this time earning the nod in the SAL All-Star Game, before making stops in Class-A Advanced, Double-A and even Triple-A with the Las Vegas 51s before the end of the season.

The 2014 season was kind to Mazzilli but the offseason before the 2015 season could not say the same. During the 2014-2015 offseason Mazzilli was suspended for the first 50 games of the season after failing a second test for “drug abuse.” Mazzilli was assigned to Double-A Binghamton for the remainder of the 2015 season where he would remain for the rest of that season and for the majority of the 2016 season. In August of 2016 Mazzilli found himself back in Triple-A with Las Vegas, where he finished the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Mazzilli, drafted as a second baseman, was learning the outfield position with the Mets which led to the slow down in progression for him as a prospect.

Mazzilli was back in Triple-A to begin the 2018 season before the need for infield and outfield depth at the upper levels of the organization led the New York Yankees to come calling. The Yankees traded Coleman to the Mets thus bringing Mazzilli to the team and to the organization. Welcome, L.J.! Do us proud.

Weekly Prospects Check In: Kendall Coleman

What a year it has been for all of the New York Yankees minor league affiliates. Many of them went to the postseason and absolutely all of them saw an absolute ton of talent cross their base lines and take their turns in the batters box and on the pitchers mound. One of those extremely talented young men are being showcased today not only because I consider him an inspiration, a role model and a friend but because I also consider him an awesome person and an even better player on the field. Kendall Coleman most recently of the Charleston Riverdogs.

I can remember chatting with Kendall when he was still in the Gulf Coast League and with the Pulaski Yankees as he hoped and prayed to go to the Staten Island Yankees. Look at him now:

Year	Age	Lev	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	21	A--A	92	358	24	60	5	2	35	2	48	99	.197	.305	.252	.558
2016	21	A-	55	221	14	36	4	0	18	1	31	55	.194	.308	.237	.544
2016	21	A	37	137	10	24	1	2	17	1	17	44	.202	.301	.277	.579

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Weekly Prospects Check In: Kendall Coleman

You know I got on Facebook this week for the first time in like three weeks, my life and Twitter keep me pretty busy plus I just prefer Twitter over Facebook, and I saw a Yankees prospect posting about heading to Yankee Stadium to hang out with Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Tyler Austin. Then it hit me, why haven’t we checked in with Kendall Coleman this season?

Kendall is a great guy. I’ve spoken to him and his mother numerous times on Twitter and Kendall was gracious enough to give us an interview after being drafted by the club. We check in with Kendall from time to time, we know the MiLB season is a grind and his personal time is his personal time, but today I wanted everyone to be able to check in with him.

He’s not a prospect that many talk about because he is in the lower levels of the minor leagues but he is a scrappy as hell kind of player that won’t stop until the final out is recorded or the clock says zero. He’s that kind of ball player and an awesome person and those kind of people deserve recognition. Sorry it couldn’t be more Kendall but this is all I got. Thank you for being so kind and open to us over the years and we’ll keep rooting for you all the way to the Bronx!!

Year	Age	Lev	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	21	A--A	76	293	20	45	5	2	28	1	41	83	.182	.298	.235	.533
2016	21	A-	39	156	10	21	4	0	11	0	24	39	.164	.295	.195	.490
2016	21	A	37	137	10	24	1	2	17	1	17	44	.202	.301	.277	.579

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Underrated Prospects in the Yankees Farm System

Although this is up for debate and will be debated for many years to come it is my opinion that the New York Yankees have a strong farm system. While the Yankees aren't producing players like Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor that come in and win Rookie of the Year Awards and make huge impacts seen across the leagues the Yankees would rather do it their own way. The Yankee way. The way that leaves the team better than it was before whether they get the national media attention or not. We saw this last season with Luis Severino, Greg Bird and all the members of the Scranton Shuttle in the bullpen and we're likely to see it again this season from Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and likely James Kaprielian. These names you know but here are a few of the underrated guys I feel that are in the Yankees system today.

Abiatal Avelino has already been showcased once on our Top 29 Prospects list but he deserves another mention this morning after a very solid 2015 campaign. Avelino played in both Charleston and Tampa last season and stole 54 bases combined, all at just 20-years old. Avelino is a ground ball hitter currently but hes just beginning to grow into his body and the power began to show its face in 2015. Whether his power ever translates into the majors is up for debate but the fact that his defense is awesome and his contact rates are even better make his future look bright regardless.


Kendall Coleman is a friend of mine and has been very gracious and friendly to us here at the blog since the day he was drafted. That may make me a little bias although I don't believe so and I'm here to tell you why. Coleman is also just 20-years old and has battled injuries in his first three seasons with the club but his power is starting to show its face as well as his plate discipline and defense. Coleman is still growing into his 6'4" frame and is still packing on power and his ceiling is unlimited, all he has to do is stay healthy.


Thairo Estrada made the cut for our Top 29 Prospects list after another strong season with the organization. Estrada played in Staten Island in the New York-Penn League and finished the season with a .267 average at just 19-years old. While being the youngest player in the league he still led the team in doubles while making contact almost every single at bat. He has speed, he has defense and he reminds me a lot of Derek Jeter in the way he plays in the field. His future may be at second base but that's not a knock on his ability to stay at shortstop it is more of a praise on his speed, athleticism and the state of the Yankees system currently.


The final underrated player for me is Estevan Florial and that's only because of where he is in the Yankees system. Coleman needs to stay healthy and Avelino and Estrada need to put on some bulk and grow into their bodies but the only thing Florial has going against him was that he did it in the Dominican Summer League. Florial hit .313 with 15 stolen bases in 2015 but he wasn't one of those signing deals worth $1 million or more, Florial did that making a fraction of that. Florial has plus power and plus arm strength in the outfield and his future may be as a center fielder. His ceiling is the sky and that is a great bit of news for the New York Yankees.

Weekly Check In: The Pulaski Yankees

The Pulaski Yankees is the newest minor league affiliate for the New York Yankees and had an amazing inaugural season down on the farm. The Pulaski Yankees finished the season with a 45-23 and finished an impressive eight games in front of Princeton (Tampa Bay Rays rookie affiliate) in the Appalachian League. Pulaski is now in the playoffs facing off with that same Princeton team and are being led by a very impressive list of prospects including our friends Kendall Coleman and Gosuke Katoh. I absolutely could not decide on just one of these young men to check in on today so I decided that since it's my blog so I'll check in on them both.

Katoh is 20 years old and was drafted in the second round of the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft. Katoh spent the 2013 season inside the Yankees Gulf Coast League and absolutely killed the ball before taking a little step back in 2014 with the Charleston Riverdogs. Katoh was technically demoted to Pulaski but it may have been the best thing that ever happened to him. Katoh has exploded once again and has put himself right back on the Yankees prospects map. The batting average is low but the home run, RBI and defensive stats are great and that's what is most important at this point in his career.

Year	Tm	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2015	2 Teams	98	403	38	78	11	6	31	17	67	111	.239	.367	.334	.701
2015	Pulaski	59	254	31	58	9	5	22	9	49	61	.287	.426	.416	.842
2015	Charleston	39	149	7	20	2	1	9	8	18	50	.161	.264	.202	.466

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Coleman is a great guy, can I start the post about him by saying that? He's been gracious to us ever since Day One with the club and has always shown us the utmost respect and friendship and for that I thank him personally. Kendall was drafted in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft and spent each of the last two seasons in the Gulf Coast League with the Yankees. 2015 marked the first full season for Kendall and he has responded well showing a great batter's eye, on-base percentage and has shown double, triples and home run power. Coleman is as exciting of a prospect as any on Pulaski and we are extremely proud of him for everything he's done in his career.

Year	Tm	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2015	Pulaski	58	235	36	48	2	5	24	2	29	62	.236	.336	.389	.725

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Exclusive Interview w/ Yankees Kendall Coleman

Today as a part of Prospects Month here on the blog we bring you an interview with the Yankees 11th round pick in the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft Kendall Coleman. Coleman spent 2013 in the GCL affiliate with the Yankees and is likely to make the plunge to the New York Penn League in Staten Island in 2014. Get to reading...

The Greedy Pinstripes:  Kendall, we appreciate you doing this interview for us. How are you? How is the offseason going?

Kendall Coleman: I'm doing well, but allergies have me a little under the weather as we speak. Offseason went very well and I report back to Tampa on Tuesday

TGP: Growing up in Texas what sports, teams, and players did you root for growing up?

KC: Growing up, I was a fan and player of baseball, football, and basketball. Of course growing up in DFW I am a huge Cowboys fan. Also a big Rangers and Red Sox fan.... Growing up remember, not now! My favorite athlete still to this day is Ken Griffey Jr.

TGP: Did you play any other positions coming up either in Little League, High School, or professionally?

KC: I grew up playing a lot of first base and outfield. I pitched a little as well. 

TGP: What made you want to come out of High School, skipping college, to play professional baseball?

KC: I saw it as an opportunity I could not pass up. It has been my dream, for as long as I can remember, to play Major League Baseball, so when the opportunity came to start my journey to the Bigs with this storied franchise being the New York Yankees... There was no second guessing my decision.

TGP: As a recent draft pick do you think the new rules, slots, and money assignments hurt or help the game and the draft? Did it affect you at all?

KC: The new rules did not affect me at all. Like I've said before, I signed because of my passion and love for the game, not love for the money. But on the other hand, I do think it definitely affected some other people and their decision making.

TGP: Do you have a favorite memory from your time as a Texas Blackhawk or at Rockwall High School?

KC: My 2013 Senior season at Rockwall was by far my favorite memory. Riding with my teammates, who are really my brothers, through some adversity and rising above everyone in the state's expectations of us... No better feeling.

TGP: Who would you say your most entertaining teammate was in 2013?

KC: Miguel Andujar was probably the most entertaining player on the team last year. Watching him play and have fun day in and day out is something I looked forward to every day last season.

TGP: Were you nervous going into 2013?

KC: I was pretty nervous going in to the GCL but you realize again that it's just baseball, a kids game... Just a tad bit different completion level (sarcasm)

TGP: Do you know which Yankees affiliate you will start the 2014 season with?

KC: I do not know where I will start my season

TGP: We respect you big time for your faith and being so open about it, how do you think your faith has helped you in your life and in your career?

KC: God is and always will be number one in my life. Words could not even begin to describe what He has done for me. He has brought me and my family through very tough times. And I will continue to follow His path for me on and off the diamond.

TGP: I probably don't have to ask as I am a Twitter follower of you but how important is your family to you in your life and in your career?

KC: As God comes first in my life, my family falls to a very close second. The ones who will always have your back and love you when no one else does. I can't say enough about my mom (Alicia) and older sister (Brittany)

TGP: Do you think you will (or want to) stick in center field or do you think a move to a corner spot is in your future?

KC: I don't know where I will end up once it's all said and done. I just want to be somewhere helping the Yanks win a Pennant on our way to winning the World Series.

TGP: My projection for your Major League career is to be another Brett Gardner, would you find that to be an accurate statement?

KC: That's a new one. I normally get compared to the Phillies outfielder, Domonic Brown. The two of them are very different types of players, so I'm not exactly sure.

TGP: What have you done this offseason to improve on your 2013 season?

KC: Added strength to my game, and obviously tried to tune up some hitting and throwing.

TGP: As a fan are you the type that would rather build from within and keep every prospect, ie what the Rays do, or are you a fan of trading away a big chunk of your minor league talent for the "sure thing" like the Yankees are so known for?

KC: I'm sure all fans want their team to build from within their own farm system, but organizations have to do whatever brings home a World Championship.

TGP: If you could be a GM for a day what would you do? No need to be realistic and doesn't necessarily have to be the Yankees GM.

KC: I would do anything that brought a World Series to our clubhouse. I'm not sure the exact route I would take because both of them could be successful in the end.

TGP: You have put on around 35 pounds since being drafted and it looks like it is all muscle, is this going to change your game in anyway? If so, how?

KC: Hopefully I will maintain my speed but also have some power to supply to the lineup.

TGP: You have a great admiration for Michael Young, did you ever get the chance to meet or speak with him?

KC: Michael Young was always one of the players you knew who did everything the "right" way. I've never spoken with him but just growing up in Dallas and watching him play hundreds of games, he's always been an inspiration to kids from my area.

TGP: Do you have a plan for life after baseball? Or is that the last thing in the back of your head?

KC: I don't know exactly what I'll be doing once baseball is done. But I can assure you it will have something to do with sports, preferably baseball.

TGP: We will finish with this one, where do you see yourself in five years?

KC: Hearing my name being chanted from the right field bleachers during Roll Call in the Bronx.

Perfect way to end a perfect interview and a perfect career. Thank you Kendall, may God bless you in all your on the field and off the field aspirations. Thank you for taking the time to do this interview for us, we truly appreciate it. You can follow Kendall on Twitter by following @_KendallColeman. 

Exclusive Interview W/ 11th Round Pick Kendall Coleman

The Yankees used their 11th round pick in the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft on Kendall Coleman out of Rockwall High School. We were blessed enough to have an exclusive interview with Kendall as he enters the Yankees organization and would like to share it with you now. Enjoy!

The Greedy Pinstripes: Describe your draft experience for us? Stressful? Who did you speak with in the Yankees organization? etc

Kendall Coleman: The draft was good, I knew what to expect coming in. I knew the Yankees would treat me fair when it came down to it. And Mike Leuzinger was my Area Scout.

TGP: In honor of Ian Clarkin we have to ask who your favorite team was growing up?

KC: I was a huge Ranger fan growing up.

TGP: Did you play any other positions coming up? 

KC: I played first base a good amount in the summer.

TGP: Why has been your biggest inspiration in baseball??

KC: My biggest inspiration has been my family, I want to make everyone proud and represent The Lord and my family well, my dad especially.

TGP: What is your best asset you think you bring to the table?

KC: My work ethic is definitely my best asset. No matter what happens, ups or downs, no one will ever out work me.

TGP: What do you think you will specifically work on this year? 

KC: My approach to the plate will be a big thing to work on this summer, going from Texas High School baseball to professional baseball is a huge difference.

TGP: Where will you be starting your Yankees career? 

KC: I'm on the GCL East Yankees

TGP: As a player how do you feel about the new draft rules and the slot recommendations for salary?

KC: The new draft rules and slots aren't a real big deal to me. At the end of the day, I'm here to play baseball for the love of the game, not a couple extra dollars.

TGP: What made you want to pass up your commitment to Iowa and sign with the Yankees?

KC: Honestly, I just wanted to get my pro career started as fast as I could. Don't get me wrong, I loved Iowa but when you get the opportunity to start your professional career, with the New York Yankees, you can't pass it up.

TGP: What current major league player would you compare yourself and style of play to?

KC: I hear a lot of Domonic Brown comparisons.

TGP: How does that short porch in right field of Yankees Stadium look to a left handed batter like yourself?

KC: The short porch? Lefty's dream!

TGP: Do you think you will stick in center field or do you think you will grow physically into a corner outfielder?

KC: I do believe one day I will develop into a bigger body, I would like to stay in center if possible, but I would play anywhere the team needs me to help win ball games.

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?

KC: Benji Gil's number are the most famous digits in my iPhone.

TGP: Any embarrassing songs in your iPod?

KC: Hollaback Girl by Gwen Steffani on my iPod!

We want to thank Kendall for taking the time to do this interview for us and we wish him nothing but the best of luck in his future endeavors. Follow Kendall on Twitter @_KendallColeman

Kendall Coleman Signs An Above Slot Deal

Kendall Coleman, it was reported here earlier in the week, signed a deal with the New York Yankees after being drafted in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft. Kendall's slot recommendation, like everyone drafted in rounds 11-40, is $100,000 so he will require an extra $50,000 coming from the Yankees surplus. As reported earlier when David Palladino signed an above slot deal as well, by my math, the Yankees had an extra $172,000 to play with roughly. With this hit against the surplus the Yankees now have $122,000 to give to Ian Clarkin or other draftees over slot.

Yankees Sign 11th Round Pick Kendall Coleman

#Yankees have reached agreement w/ 11th rd #mlbdraft pick Kendall Coleman pending phys. High ceiling Domonic Brown comp flying to FL Thur
— K. Levine-Flandrup (@YankeesDraft) June 12, 2013

The Yankees have signed their 11th round pick Kendall Coleman after taking him in last weeks draft. No word on the money just yet but the slot recommendation is only $100 K and I cannot see him getting anymore than that. Coleman is an outfielder from Texas High School and is considered to be a bat first prospect with big time power from the left side of the plate. Welcome to the family Kendall.