Meet the 2019 Yankees: Jacoby Ellsbury

Did I just save the best for last, or was the information harder to come by because no one has actually seen Jacoby Ellsbury on a baseball diamond in what feels like two-or-three years? You decide, I am just here to make the formal introductions. Jacoby Ellsbury everyone, in all of his glory.

Jacoby Ellsbury, 35-years old, is a center fielder in the New York Yankees organization. Ellsbury, 6’1” and 195 lbs., is a left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder and leadoff hitter, when he is on the field. Injuries have hampered much of his contract with the Yankees that runs through the 2020 season with a team option for the 2021 season. Ellsbury has the uppercut swing, speed, and defense to do well with the New York Yankees, especially inside Yankee Stadium, but his inability to stay healthy has left a bad taste in the mouths of many Yankees fans around the Yankee Universe.

Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury was born on September 11, 1983 in Madras, Oregon where he attended Madras High School. While at the school, Ellsbury lettered in five sports including baseball, basketball and football. Ellsbury was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 23^rd round of the 2002 MLB First Year Players Draft, but ultimately decided to head to Oregon State University to continue his amateur baseball career. After three years at Oregon State, Ellsbury was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round, 23^rd overall, of the 2005 MLB Draft.

Ellsbury did not spend long in the Red Sox minor league system, making his professional debut in July of 2015, and making the big-league club by June 30, 2007, replacing an injured Coco Crisp. Ellsbury was up and down for the Red Sox throughout the 2007 season but made his mark late in the season and into the playoffs, leading the Red Sox to a World Series championship. Ellsbury was on the Red Sox Opening Day roster in 2008 and never looked back, thus becoming a regular for the Red Sox in center field and at the top of the Boston lineup. Ellsbury remained an integral part of the team in center field until the 2010 season when he was bumped to left field after the team acquired Mike Cameron off the free agent market. Ellsbury would undergo many ups-and-downs and many injuries throughout his tenure with Boston but would win two World Series with the club including the 2013 season, the final year before he hit free agency.

In the winter before the 2014 season the New York Yankees signed Ellsbury to a seven-year deal worth $153 million including an option year for an eighth season that would bring the deal to $169 million. Ellsbury had a decent first season in the Bronx batting .271 with 16 home runs and 39 stolen bases in 149 games, but the 2015 season the injury bug crept back into Ellsbury’s career. Ellsbury missed nearly two months with a sprained knee in 2015 and did not start the 2015 American League Wild Card Game for the Yankees against the Houston Astros.

The 2016 season was the season of catcher’s interference for Ellsbury and the Yankees. Ellsbury played in 148 games in 2016 and compiled 12 catcher’s interference calls, breaking the record previously held by Roberto Kelly in a single-season. Ellsbury would set the career mark for catcher’s interference calls in 2017 with his 30^th, passing Pete Rose, but would ultimately lose his starting center field job to Aaron Hicks after another set of injuries derailed his season. Ellsbury would miss the entire 2018 season due to injuries and will likely begin the 2019 season on the injured list as well.

Ellsbury is an enrolled member of the Colorado ricer Indian Tribes. Ellsbury’s mother, Margie Ellsbury, is full-blooded Navajo, while his father, Jim, is of English and German descent. Ellsbury is the first Native American of Navajo descent to reach the major leagues. Now, the only thing that’s left is for Ellsbury is to bounce back healthy in 2019 and lead the team to a World Series championship as the first ever Navajo Native American to win a World Series in the Bronx. Make it happen.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Joe Harvey

Man, it was not easy to find information on Yankees right-handed pitcher Joe Harvey, but we did the best we could. In all actuality, I am glad that this was a challenge and that there wasn’t the plethora of information on the web about him like there was with others, that means when others head out looking for information on him later in the spring and throughout the season that maybe they will stumble upon the site and stay awhile. Let’s meet the man, the myth, and hopefully soon-to-be the legend, Mr. Joe Harvey.

Joe Harvey, 27-years old, is a right-handed relief pitcher currently in the New York Yankees organization. Harvey is a large, intimidating presence on the mound standing 6’2” and weighing in at 235 lbs. Harvey throws a mid-90’s fastball with a high spin rate to go along with a curveball that he worked on for much of the winter trying to improve. Harvey also throws a changeup that he has also dabbled with a lot this winter in search of improvement.

Joseph Robert Harvey was born on January 9, 1992 in Audobon, Pennsylvania and attended high school at Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School in Norristown, PA. After graduating High School, Harvey moved on to play baseball at the collegiate level for the University of Pittsburgh where he caught the eye as a pitcher of the New York Yankees. The New York Yankees drafted Harvey in the 19^th round of the 2014 MLB First Year Players Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh and immediately assigned him to the GCL Yankees. Harvey spent time there and with the Staten Island Yankees in 2014 before being promoted to the Charleston Riverdogs for the 2015 season.

Harvey took a step back in 2016, heading back to the GCL to play for both Yankees affiliates there as well as the Staten Island Yankees. Harvey was promoted to the Tampa Yankees in 2017 before finally reaching Double-A, and then Triple-A during the 2018 season. Harvey was added to the Yankees 40-man roster prior to the 2019 season and also participated in the Dominican Winter League as well as he prepared for the possible call to the Major Leagues this season.

Good luck to you, Joe. You already struck out Troy Tulowitzki in a simulated game this spring, and that’s not nothing if you ask me. Injuries slowed Harvey’s path towards the majors, the right-hander was limited to just 41 games as a reliever from 2014-2016 and just 18 games in 2017 but took off and showed glimpses of what he could become for the Yankees in 2018.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Luis Cessa

I know all 5000+ of my Twitter followers just rolled their eyes when they saw this post go live and get tweeted on Twitter but hear me out. Love him or hate him, I have to support Luis Cessa. Why? Because he wears Yankees pinstripes. Not every player on the team every single season will win you over, and that’s Cessa for me, but you still have to support the player and the team. Let’s meet the man that has a lot of “winning me over” to do, Luis Cessa.

Luis Cessa, 26-years old, is a right-handed starter and reliever currently within the New York Yankees system. Cessa possesses a 95 MPH four-seam fastball, an 84 MPH slider, an 86 MPH changeup, and a rarely thrown 81 MPH curveball. Cessa creates a lot of ground balls with his fastball as well as with his changeup. His slider has a 12-6 movement and has some two-plane movement.

Luis Enrique Cessa was born on April 25, 1992 in Cordoba, Mexico where he was signed as an international free agent by the New York Mets back in 2008. The Mets signed Cessa as a shortstop and watched him in his first two professional seasons at the position before transitioning him to a pitcher in 2011. Cessa continued his work as a starter with the Mets until July 31, 2015 when New York traded Cessa and Michael Fulmer to the Detroit Tigers for Yoenis Cespedes. By the end of the 2015 season, Cessa was on the move again, this time back to New York. On December 9, 2015 the Tigers traded Cessa along with Chad Green to the New York Yankees for lefty Justin Wilson.

Cessa made the Yankees Opening Day roster in 2016 and made his MLB debut on April 8, pitching two innings and allowing two hits, including a home run, with two strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers. Cessa bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the Bronx for the remainder of the 2016 season before starting the 2017 season back in Triple-A. Cessa bounced back and forth again in 2017 and 2018 with the Yankees, mainly as a spot starter, but may have found his niche with the team as a relief pitcher during the 2018 campaign.

Listen, Cessa isn’t my favorite Yankee of all-time, I am on record of thinking that many, many times, but I still support him. I think Cessa could be more than serviceable as a relief pitcher, but in no way do I ever want him starting games for the New York Yankees again. His stuff just doesn’t translate in my opinion, but again… I will still support him regardless. I support my Yankees, and you should too.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Thairo Estrada

For whatever reason it feels like Thairo Estrada has been around forever with the New York Yankees. It is hard to believe that Thairo is still just 22-years old, but it’s true. It’s also hard to believe that Thairo survived a gunshot wound in the hip during a robbery attempt in January of 2018, but that’s another story for another blog post. Let’s meet the man that will look to finally crack the Major League roster here in 2019, Mr. Thairo Estrada.

Thairo Estrada, 23-years old with a Happy Belated birthday from us here at TGP, is a right-handed throwing and batting infielder that has experience as a second baseman, shortstop, and third baseman as a professional player. Estrada has a small frame, standing just 5’10” and weighing just 185 lbs., but he will take his walks and hit for average if he’s healthy and right, physically.

Thairo Jose Estrada Villegas was born on February 22, 1996 in Bejuma, Venezuela where he was signed as an international free agent back in August of 2012. Estrada made his professional debut with the club’s Gulf Coast League team in 2013 and spent the whole season there. Estrada returned to the GCL Yankees in 2014 but was quickly promoted to the Staten Island Yankees. Estrada returned to the New York-Penn League and the SI Yankees in 2015, but again earned a promotion to the Charleston Riverdogs and the Tampa Yankees by the time the 2016 season came along.

Estrada was promoted to the Trenton Thunder in 2017 and was an Eastern League All-Star in Double-A, finishing the season with a .301 batting average with six home runs and 48 RBI. Estrada was added to the Yankees 40-man roster following the season.

Estrada was shot in the hip during a robbery attempt before the 2018 season and was limited to just 18 games and 78 at-bats between Triple-A and the Tampa Yankees of A+ ball. Estrada also went to the Arizona Fall League following the 2018 season and played in 19 games there with Glendale. 

Estrada will look for another productive and healthy season in 2019 and will also hope for his ultimate shot at the Major League level. Estrada is ready, make the call.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Albert Abreu

One of the top pitching prospects in the New York Yankees system is Albert Abreu. Abreu was brought over to the Yankees from the Houston Astros in a trade for Brian McCann back in 2016. Abreu is slowly, due to injuries, working his way towards the Major Leagues, so let’s meet him and his uber-talented right arm.

Albert Abreu, 23-years old, is a right-handed starting pitcher inside the New York Yankees organization and a RHP that sits at or near the top of the Yankees top pitching prospects in their system. Abreu stands 6’2” and weighs 175 lbs. and possesses a 95-96 MPH fastball that tops out at 99 MPH, as well as a slider, curveball and changeup that he can throw consistently for strikes. Abreu’s changeup is probably his most consistent pitch in his repertoire with its steep drop late in its path.

Albert Enmanuel Abreu was born on September 26, 1995 in Guayubin, Dominican Republic where he was signed by the Houston Astros as an international free agent in 2013. Abreu was 17-years old at the time and signed with Houston for $185,000. Abreu spent time in the Astros organization until November 17, 2016 when he was traded along with Jorge Guzman for the Yankees starting catcher, Brian McCann.

Abreu made stops with three affiliates in 2017, starting with the GCL Yankees and ending in A-Ball with the Charleston Riverdogs, finishing the season with 53.1 innings pitched. New York saw enough in those 53 innings to add Abreu to their 40-man roster after the 2017 season.

Abreu pitched for the GCL Yankees again in 2018, as well as the Tampa Yankees and the Double-A Trenton Thunder before heading down to the Dominican Winter League following the season. Abreu was hampered by injuries once again in 2018 and was limited to just 17 games, plus another six games in the DOWL.

Abreu will look to continue his path towards the Major Leagues in 2019, likely starting the year with the Trenton Thunder. If healthy, it won’t be long before Abreu is in Triple-A with Scranton… and then eventually the Bronx.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Domingo Acevedo

I have personally donned this man the next Dellin Betances, and for more than one reason. Both men are really big, intimidating figures on the mound. Both men can throw right at or in excess of 100 MPH. Both men struggle with control, and ultimately for that reason both men may be destined to share the same Yankees bullpen in the future. For now, though, Domingo Acevedo is a starter within the New York Yankees organization, so let’s meet him.

Domingo Acevedo, 24-years old for a few more days, possesses a 96 MPH four-seam fastball, an 87 MPH slider, and an 88 MPH changeup that he mixes in to keep opposing batters off of his heater.  

Domingo Antonio Acevedo was born on March 6, 1994 in Los Almacigos, Dominican Republic where he was signed as an international free agent by the New York Yankees in 2012. Acevedo signed with New York for just $7,500 and began his professional career with the Dominican Summer League Yankees. Acevedo worked his way through the Yankees organization, reaching as high as Double-A and Triple-A in 2017 as well as participating in the 2017 All-Star Futures Game.

Acevedo’s biggest hurdles that he faces is his struggle with command and control, as well as his seemingly inability to stay healthy. In six minor league seasons, Acevedo has made just 92 appearances for the Yankees various minor league affiliates.

Acevedo was called up to the Major Leagues on July 21, 2018 but was optioned back to Double-A in just a few hours, not making an appearance for the big-league club. Will 2019 be the year that Acevedo finally puts it all together for a full, healthy, and productive season? Stay tuned.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Tyler Wade

Every year, for whatever reason, the odd man out of the Yankees 25-man roster always seems to be Tyler Wade. Now, granted, Wade has not done himself any favors offensively at the Major League level, but his defense remains versatile and above league average at multiple positions. Versatility sometimes isn’t enough, and it likely won’t be enough this year as well with the additions of DJ LeMahieu, Troy Tulowitzki and others. Wade may find himself either on the Yankees bench at the beginning of the 2019 season, or he may find himself back at Triple-A with the Scranton RailRiders. Here’s to the former, and not the latter, as we meet the man with a very active Instagram account, Mr. Tyler Wade.

Tyler Wade, 24-years old, is listed as a right-handed throwing and left-handed batting shortstop and second baseman but has the ability to play all over the infield and all over the outfield as well, including in center field. The only position that Wade hasn’t really played professionally is the catcher and first base positions. Wade, listed at 6’1” and just 185 lbs., has excelled at the Triple-A level only to struggle with the bat at the Major League level for whatever reason.

Tyler Dean Wade was born on November 23, 1994 in Murrieta, California where he attended Murrieta Valley High School. Wade had committed to attending San Diego State University after his High School years were complete, but the New York Yankees came calling in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft. Wade ultimately decided to forego his commitment and signed with the Yankees for a $371,300 signing bonus.

Wade spent the 2013-2015 seasons in the minor leagues with New York, leading the Yankees to invite Wade to their spring training camp before the 2016 season. Wade did not make the team out of spring and spent the entire 2016 season down in Double-A with the Trenton Thunder. Wade was back in Yankees camp in 2017 and was competing for a starting job after New York learned that Didi Gregorius would start the season on the disabled list, but ultimately began the season down in Triple-A with the RailRiders. Wade was promoted to the big leagues on June 27, 2017 and was optioned and recalled multiple times throughout the season. In 30 games with the Yankees, Wade finished with a .155/.222/.224.

Wade was invited to camp with the Yankees once again in 2018, and this time made the team on Opening Day wearing Chase Headley’s recently vacated #12 jersey. Wade struggled with the Yankees out of the gate and was optioned back to Triple-A on April 22, once again bouncing back and forth between Scranton and the Yankees. Wade will look to make the team once again here in 2019, but this time he will look to stick on the roster for much of the season. Good luck Tyler!!

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Tommy Kahnle

The New York Yankees have an amazing bullpen on paper, but could you imagine just how good this bullpen could be if the team were to get back a healthy and effective Tommy Kahnle here in 2019? It’s already borderline unfair for the rest of the league as is, but with Kahnle mowing down batters like he did in 2017… well that’s just filthy. Let’s meet the man that has a lot to prove, but the man that could be a key piece for the New York Yankees this season.

Tommy Kahnle, 29-years old, is a right-handed relief pitcher that was originally drafted by the Yankees, only to see him selected in the Rule 5 Draft. Fate, and a well-timed July acquisition, brought Kahnle back to the Bronx to show off his 95 MPH four-seam fastball, 89 MPH changeup, and 83 MPH slider. Kahnle strikes out a lot of guys when he is effective and generates a ton of swings and misses, although last season the right-hander struggled a lot with his command and control, as well as various injuries.

Tommy Kahnle was born on August 7, 1989 in Latham, New York where he attended Shaker High School. After High School, Kahnle attended Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida where he caught the attention of the New York Yankees who drafted the right-hander in the fifth round of the 2010 MLB First Year Players Draft. Kahnle pitched well in his professional debut with the Staten Island Yankees and earned a promotion to the Charleston Riverdogs for the 2011 season. Kahnle continued his climb through the Yankees system in 2012, reaching Double-A with the Trenton Thunder, and earned an invitation to Yankees spring training camp in 2013. Kahnle was an Eastern League All-Star in 2013 and finished the season with a 2.85 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched.

The Yankees chose to leave Kahnle unprotected and off of the team’s 40-man roster before the 2014 season and the Colorado Rockies selected him in the Rule 5 Draft. The Rockies stashed Kahnle on their Opening Day roster and allowed him to appear in 54 games and 68+ innings, posting a 4.19 ERA as a rookie. Kahnle spent almost half the season in Triple-A in 2015 and was designated for assignment following the 2015 campaign. The Rockies traded Kahnle to the Chicago White Sox for Yency Almonte on November 24, 2014.

Kahnle rejuvenated his career while with Chicago posting a 2.63 ERA in 2016, although pitching in just 29 games, before truly breaking out in 2017 with the White Sox. Through the first half of the 2017 season, Kahnle posted a 2.50 ERA while striking out 60 batters in just 36 innings of work, while also lowering his overall walk total as well. This led Chicago to sell-high on Kahnle, sending him along with David Robertson and Todd Frazier to the New York Yankees for Blake Rutherford, Tyler Clippard, Ian Clarkin and Tito Polo.

Kahnle was lights out for the Yankees for the remainder of the 2017 season but was up-and-down for the New York for much of the 2018 campaign. Kahnle battled through injuries and inconsistencies as well as trips to-and-from Triple-A. Kahnle will look to be much better for New York in 2019 while sticking with the big-league club as much as possible.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Ben Heller

The New York Yankees were without potentially one of their up-and-coming arms in their bullpen last season after Ben Heller had to undergo Tommy John surgery on April 6, 2018. Heller is expected to be back sometime here in 2019, so let’s get acquainted with him. Yankees #61, Ben Heller.

Ben Heller, 27-years old, is a right-handed relief pitcher in the New York Yankees organization that came over via trade from the Cleveland Indians system. Heller throws a 95 MPH four-seam fastball, an 83 MPH slider, and an 85 MPH changeup that he throws to keep hitters off-balance on his fastball. Heller fits the stereotypical mold that the Yankees like to employ in their bullpen, standing 6’3” and weighing in at 205 lbs. while throwing hard.

Benjamin Heller was born on August 5, 1991 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attended Whitewater High School in Whitewater, Wisconsin. While at the school Heller set the team record for saves, pitched a pair of no-hitters, and had a 1.14 ERA during his senior season. Heller went on to play college baseball at Olivet Nazarene University where he caught the attention of the Cleveland Indians who drafted him in the 22^nd round of the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft.

Heller bounced around the Indians organization until July 31, 2016 when he was traded alongside Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, and J.P. Feyereisen to the New York Yankees for Andrew Miller. Heller was called up a pair of times during that 2016 season and made his MLB on August 26, pitching a scoreless 8^th inning against the Baltimore Orioles. Heller spent another nine games with the Yankees big league club in 2017 before undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the entire 2018 season.

Heller should be back around June of this season, if all goes well, and should be right back in the thick of things for a spot in the Yankees bullpen. Heller, a member of the team’s 40-man roster, should be one of the first arms on the Scranton Shuttle this season when needed. Good luck on the rehab, Ben, and we can’t wait to see you back in the Bronx this season.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Domingo German

The New York Yankees caught some lightning in a bottle last season when the team called up a young started named Domingo German to make some spot starts for the team. German was consistently inconsistent, but when he was on the Yankees young right-hander showed flashes of absolute brilliance and dominance at the Major League level. If German can put it all together and pitch like that 25-30 times a season the Yankees starting rotation may be borderline unfair, in the very best way possible, so let’s meet the man that will look to take that next step this season towards greatness. Domingo German, come on down.

Domingo German, 26-years old, is a right-handed starting pitcher inside the New York Yankees organization that relies on five pitches to keep opposing hitters off-balanced. German possesses an 82 MPH curveball, a 95 MPH four-seam fastball, a 95 MPH sinker, an 88 MPH changeup, and a rarely thrown 93 MPH cutter. German’s curveball is a 12-6 curveball that generates a ton of swings and misses on the pitch. German is prone to giving up the flyball, and subsequently the home run ball inside Yankee Stadium III, but also strikes out enough to get by when he is on.

Domingo German Polanco was born on August 4, 1992 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic where he was signed as an international free agent in 2009 by the Florida Marlins. German made his professional debut in 2010 and was selected to represent the Marlins in the All-Star Futures Game in 2014. After the 2014 season the Marlins, along with Nathan Eovaldi and Garrett Jones, traded German to the New York Yankees for Martin Prado and David Phelps. German would not pitch for the Yankees in 2015 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and was promptly non-tendered after the season. The Yankees signed German to a new minor league deal following the season and added him back to the 40-man roster following the 2016 season.

The Yankees promoted German to the Major Leagues on Jun 10, 2017 and watched as he made his MLB debut the next day against the Baltimore Orioles. German pitched out of relief for seven appearances for New York in 2017, posting an 0-1 record with a 3.14 ERA. German was back on the Major Leagues on May 6, 2018 as a starter against the Cleveland Indians, pitching six no-hit innings while allowing two walks and striking out nine. German made 13 starts for New York in 2018 and posted a 2-6 record with a 5.68 ERA before being optioned to Triple-A on July 21.

German will look to pitch much better in 2019 and could be an integral part to the Yankees bullpen and rotation going forward this season. We want “good” German in 2019, and not the German that seemingly struggled in every other start and appearance that we saw last season. Baby steps, I’m not worried and I am totally confident that we will see just that this season. Good luck!

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Stephen Tarpley

Stephen Tarpley came up last season for the New York Yankees to help solidify the bullpen as a left-handed option for manager Aaron Boone. Tarpley is not a name you heard a lot about in 2018, but he did a lot to impress me as a fan and I am extremely excited to see what he can bring to the table here in 2019. Honestly, I think he wins a spot out of spring training, but that is nothing more than that, speculation. He will have to stay healthy and earn the spot this spring, but his arm and his stuff is ready for the big stage and the MLB level. For those who know him, you know that, but for those who don’t, let’s meet him. Stephen Tarpley, everyone.

Stephen Tarpley, 26-years old, is a left-handed relief pitcher for the New York Yankees and a right-handed bat that is under team control through the 2024 season. Tarpley is 6’1” and weighs 235 lbs. and is still considered to have his rookie status through the 2019 season. Tarpley brings a 92 MPH sinker, a 93 MPH four-seam fastball, a 79 MPH curve ball and a rarely thrown 86 MPH changeup with him in his bag of tricks every time he walks up to Yankee Stadium. Tarpley is flyball prone, which is odd given that he is primarily a sinker pitcher, but he neutralizes left-handed hitters well enough to earn a spot on most teams in their bullpen.

Stephen Tarpley was born on February 17, 1993 in Los Angeles, California. Tarpley attended Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Arizona where the Cleveland Indians drafted him in the eighth round of the 2011 MLB First Year Players Draft. Tarpley did not sign and instead attended the University of South Carolina to play baseball for the Trojans. After one year at USC, Tarpley transferred to Scottsdale Community College where the Baltimore Orioles drafted him in the third round of the 2013 MLB Draft. Baltimore gave Tarpley a $525,000 signing bonus and assigned him to the Gulf Coast Orioles to begin his professional career.

On January 27, 2015 the Orioles traded Tarpley to the Pittsburgh Pirates along with a player-to-be-named-later, for Travis Snider. Tarpley pitched well for Pittsburgh, catching the eye of Yankees GM Brian Cashman who swung a trade for him along with Tito Polo for Ivan Nova. Tarpley pitched well for New York in 2017, posting a 7-0 record with an 0.88 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 18 relief appearances between Tampa and Double-A Trenton.

Tarpley began the 2018 season in Double-A, but quickly earned the promotion to Triple-A before being called up as a September call-up on September 1. Tarpley pitched in 10 regular season games for the Yankees and even earned a spot on their postseason roster, pitching one inning in Game Two of the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox.

Tarpley will look to earn a spot out of spring in 2019 at the Major League level, and honestly, I think that he will. Good luck to you, Stephen!

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Clint Frazier

Clint Frazier doesn’t want to be called “Red Thunder” anymore and has taken on the nickname of “The Wildling” this offseason. His new nickname goes along with his new drive to stay on the field, stay healthy, and produce for the New York Yankees in 2019. Will that translate? There’s only one way to find out, we have to tune in throughout the 2019 season, but until then let’s check in with the man I personally nicknamed “Red Squad” earlier in the winter. Clint Frazier, your starting left fielder for the New York Yankees if he gets his way.

Clint Frazier, 24-years old, is a right-handed hitting and throwing outfielder for the New York Yankees that was brought over in the trade with the Cleveland Indians for Andrew Miller. Clint played a lot of center field in the Minor Leagues for both clubs and possesses an impressive bat speed that allows him to reach and make contact on pitches that many others cannot effectively. Clint’s biggest issue, offensively speaking, is his ability to attack breaking pitches, but if he ever figures that out, he could truly become the special kind of prospect and player that he was projected to be when the Yankees acquired him a couple years ago.

Clint Jackson Frazier was born on September 6, 1994 in Loganville, Georgia to Mark and Kim Frazier. Frazier attended Loganville High School where he played baseball with fellow major league player Austin Meadows. As a junior in 2012, Frazier won the Jackie Robinson Award given to the Perfect Game national Player of the Year. Frazier later won the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year as a senior before committing to the University of Georgia. Despite being committed to the University of Georgia Bulldogs baseball team, Clint ultimately signed with the Cleveland Indians and forewent that commitment after the team drafted him fifth overall in the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft.

Clint spent time working his way through the Indians organization until July 31, 2016 when Cleveland sent Frazier, Justus Sheffield, Ben Heller and J.P. Feyereisen to the New York Yankees for Andrew Miller. Clint finished the 2016 season down in Triple-A with Scranton and started the 2017 season with the RailRiders as well until the New York Yankees promoted him to the Major Leagues on July 1, 2017. Frazier ended his season on the disabled list with a left oblique strain and did not participate in the 2017 postseason that saw the Yankees get within one game of the World Series. Frazier began the 2018 season on the disabled list with a concussion, an issue that he struggled with all season long and an issue that eventually ended his season prematurely. Now with the concussion symptoms behind him he will look to finally win a starting everyday job with the Yankees this spring.

Also, it is worth mentioning that Clint did an interview with the Short Porch podcast, and damn he is a great interview. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed. It turned me into a Clint fan immediately, if I’m being honest. Good luck to you, Clint!

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Jonathan Loaisiga

The New York Yankees traded away their top prospect and top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield in the deal that brought back James Paxton to the Bronx. Out with the old and in with the new, and the new Yankees top prospect and top pitching prospect is a young man we saw make his MLB debut with the club last season, Jonathan Loaisiga. Loaisiga will likely serve as the Yankees 6^th starter, a bullpen piece, the first man called up from Scranton in the case of an injury, or a combination of all of the above, so let’s meet the man that sounds like he will be pretty damn integral to the Yankees and their pitching staff here in 2016. Mr. Jonathan “Lasagna” Loaisiga.

Jonathan Loaisiga, 24-years old, is a right-hander starting pitcher inside the New York Yankees. organization. Lasagna stands just 5’11” and weighs just 165 lbs., but what he lacks in stature he more than makes up for in guts and natural ability. Despite his small frame, Lasagna can still reach 96 MPH on his four-seam fastball, 85 MPH on his curveball and 88 MPH on his changeup. Lasagna is a big groundball type pitcher whose stuff translates well into Yankee Stadium III.

Jonathan Loaisiga was born on November 2, 1994 (my birthday!!) in Managua, Nicaragua. Loaisiga was signed as an international free agent by the San Francisco Giants in September of 2012 and made his debut with the Dominican Summer League Giants in 2013. Lasagna did not pitch in 2014 or 2015 due to various injuries, forcing the Giants to release him in May of 2015. Lasagna remained an international free agent until February of 2016 when the New York Yankees signed him to a minor league deal and assigned him to the Charleston Riverdogs. Lasagna pitched just one game for New York before undergoing Tommy John surgery, this ending his 2016 season as well.

Loaisiga returned for the 2017 season after being added to the Yankees 40-man roster and made 11 starts between the GCL Yankees and the Staten Island Yankees. It was the 2018 season that Loaisiga saw his stock finally begin to rise. Loaisiga was called up from Double-A after an injury to Masahiro Tanaka left the Yankees in a bind, totally skipping the Triple-A level. Loaisiga made four starts for New York in 2018 and pitched to a 3.00 ERA before being optioned back down to Triple-A until September call-ups.

Now, Loaisiga finds himself at the top of the Yankees prospects list and at the top of the list for a call-up if needed here in 2019. He just has to stay healthy and remain productive and he can take the league by storm, the stuff is there to do it. Good luck to him this season and we all look forward to seeing you pitch in the Bronx again this year.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Giancarlo Stanton

The New York Yankees line of thinking is this (and of course I am speculating here) when it comes to acquiring or not acquiring generational talent like Manny Machado or Bryce Harper this offseason. The Yankees already feel like they have some generational talent of their own in Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, Gary Sanchez, and the man we are prepared to meet again this afternoon, Giancarlo Stanton. Will Stanton improve on, all things considered, what was a pretty damn good first year in pinstripes? Well, you will just have to stay tuned to find that out.

Giancarlo Stanton, 29-years old, is a right-handed and throwing outfielder and designated hitter for the New York Yankees that will likely split his time between left field, right field, and DH here in 2019. Stanton, all jokes aside about his closed stance, is a steady hitter that is capable of hitting .300 while also smashing 50 home runs a season if he ever learns to lay off pitches low and outside the strike zone. Giancarlo is prone to the strikeout, but when he makes contact it goes a long way, hard and fast.

Giancarlo Crus Michael Stanton was born on November 8, 1989 in Panorama City, California to father Michael Stanton and mother Jacinta Garay. Stanton attended Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga, California for two years before transferring to Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California where he was a three-sport athlete and caught the eye of the Miami Marlins. Giancarlo had previously accepted a scholarship to Tulane University while also turning down offers from UCLA, UNLV and USC to play football, but ultimately decided to sign with the then Florida Marlins who selected Stanton in the second round, 76^th overall, in the 2007 MLB First Year Players Draft. Stanton signed with Florida for a modest $475,000 signing bonus and began his professional career in the Gulf Coast League with the Gulf Coast League Marlins.

By 2009, Stanton had already begun receiving invites to Marlins spring training camp. Stanton participated in the 2009 All-Star Futures Game as well as the Arizona Fall League after the 2009 season. Stanton began the 2010 season back in Triple-A, but he wouldn’t stay there for long as the Marlins called Giancarlo up on June 6, 2010, making Stanton the third youngest player to ever make his MLB debut for the Marlins. Giancarlo finished a strong rookie campaign by being named to the 2010 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team and to Baseball America’s 2010 All-Rookie Team. Stanton struggled in his sophomore season, though, dealing with leg and eye injuries throughout the season that limited him to just 516 at-bats. Stanton would bounce back in 2012 and post an All-Star season that would include a trip to the Home Run Derby. Stanton missed both events with knee surgery, though, but Stanton still finished the season with 37 home runs and a .290 batting average. Another season for Stanton in 2013, and another injury riddled season for the young outfielder. Stanton participated in the World Baseball Classic in 2013, representing Team USA, but missed six weeks due to a Grade 2 hamstring injury, limiting him to just 116 games.

Stanton returned to his All-Star form in 2014, finishing the season with a .288 average with 37 home runs and 105 RBI to go along with 94 walks, a .555 slugging percentage and a .950 OPS. Stanton finished second in the NL MVP Award voting to Clayton Kershaw. After the season the Marlins gave Giancarlo a 13-year deal worth $325 million, the most lucrative contract in sports history, that also included a no-trade clause and an opt-out written into the contract after the 2019 season. Stanton had another injury riddled season in 2015, but yet another All-Star season as well, seeing his season end prematurely after breaking his hamate bone in his hand. Stanton had 27 home runs in just 74 games at the time of the injury. Stanton was not selected to the All-Star Game in 2016, but he did decide to participate in the Home Run Derby. Stanton hit 61 home runs in the Derby and took home the championship, en route to a great season that ended, once again, in injury.

Giancarlo looked to remain healthy and steady in 2017 and did just that for the first full season of his career. Giancarlo would win the National League MVP Award in his final season with the Marlins, posting an impressive stat line that included a .281 batting average, 57 home runs and 132 RBI. After the season, and under new management, the Miami Marlins decided they could no longer afford the massive contract that they gave Stanton just three years prior and decided to trade the face of their franchise. Miami agreed to a deal that would have sent Stanton to the St. Louis Cardinals, but Stanton refused to waive his no-trade clause and shot down the deal. Days later the Marlins agreed to trade Stanton to the San Francisco Giants, but once again Stanton refused to waive his NTC and killed any possibility of a deal. Third time was the charm for the Marlins, though, as the team agreed to send Stanton to the New York Yankees along with cash considerations for second baseman Starlin Castro and prospects Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers.

Stanton would hit a home run in his first at-bat for the Yankees and would finish his first season in the Bronx with a .266 average in 158 games played, notching 38 home runs, 34 doubles, and 100 RBI. Stanton would help lead the Yankees to 100 wins during the regular season and a victory in the AL Wild Card Game over the Oakland Athletics. Unfortunately, the Yankees season would end prematurely in the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox, but all-in-all you have to think that Stanton had an extremely successful first season in the Bronx. It gives you a lot of hope when you think about what we as a fan base could be in store for here in 2019. Good luck, Giancarlo!

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Aaron Hicks

A lot of people sleep on the Yankees center fielder and I truly don’t know why. Even as recently as this offseason I have seen trade proposals from fans, by the way… as Mike Axisa of River Avenue Blues says… your trade proposal sucks, involving Hicks and others for pitchers like Madison Bumgarner, etc. Why? Let me ask you a question, we all know that Mike Trout is the best center fielder in the game, but according to WAR, do you know who the second best was? While you Google that and pull up Baseball Reference let’s meet the man with the second highest WAR for all center fielders in the game in 2018, and the man that still gets no respect. Mr. Aaron Hicks, everybody.

Aaron Hicks, 29-years old, is a switch-hitting and right-handed throwing center fielder for the New York Yankees that was acquired from the Minnesota Twins. Hicks, 6’1” and 202 lbs., is entering the final year of arbitration eligibility and will become a free agent at the end of the season if he and the team do not work out an extension before the end of the 2019 World Series. Hicks has a patient approach at the plate and will take his walks when given to him, and personally I see him leading off for the Yankees here in 2019.

Aaron Michael Hicks was born on October 2, 1989 in San Pedro, California. Hicks attended Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California where he caught the attention of the Minnesota Twins who drafted him in the first round of the 2008 MLB First Year Players Draft. Hicks, considered a top prospect in all of baseball and the Twins top prospect for much of his Minor League career, spent time in Minnesota’s minor league system until March 24, 2013 when it was announced that he would be the team’s Opening Day center fielder entering the season.

Hicks chose to honor Dave Winfield by choosing #32 for his uniform number. Hicks struggled in his rookie season, batting just .192 before being sent down to Triple-A for the remainder of the season on August 1. Hicks was back in center field on Opening Day 2014 for the Twins, although he struggled once again out of the gate and was once again demoted to the Minor Leagues on June 9. Hicks gave up switch-hitting in 2014 due to the lack of confidence in his ability to hit left-handed, however he went back to switch-hitting less than a month later after being sent down.

Hicks improved in 2015 and finally showed glimpses of what he could be, finishing the season with a .256 average and 11 home runs with 33 RBI in 97 games. The Twins decided to sell high on Hicks and traded him following the 2015 campaign to the New York Yankees for catcher John Ryan Murphy. Hicks regressed a bit in 2016, posting a .217 average with just eight home runs and 31 RBI in 123 games, but his defense and ability to hit left-handed pitching intrigued the Yankees enough to give him the starting center fielder job once again in 2017.

The patience and work with Hicks finally paid off for New York and for Aaron in 2017. By early June, Hicks had already surpassed his entire 2016 totals in home runs (10) and RBI (34) and was among the top ten in the league in both OBP and OPS. Hicks was slowed by an oblique injury in June and again on September 3, finishing the season with a .266 average and 15 home runs with 52 RBI, all career highs. Hicks was again among the best center fielders offensively and defensively in 2018 and finished the season again with career highs in home runs (27), RBI (79) and hits (119).

What does the future hold for Hicks in 2019? Will we see an all new set of career highs? Honestly, I think so, and naturally I hope so, but you will just have to stay tuned to the 2019 Yankees to find out. We are rooting for you A-Aron!!

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Brett Gardner

The New York Yankees may or may not be cheap, may or may not be trying to win a World Series in 2019, may or may not have been on Bryce Harper and Manny Machado all along, but one thing you cannot say about this organization is that it is not loyal. Ask Brett Gardner. Gardner lost his starting job in 2018 and was still re-signed for the 2019 season, presumably to see the bulk of the starting time in left field. Let’s meet the longest current tenured Yankees player on the team, Mr. Brett Gardner.

Brett Gardner, 35-years old, is a left-handed outfielder that has predominantly played center field and left field for the New York Yankees. Gardner has an uppercut swing that can produce 10-20 home run power inside of Yankee Stadium along with an exceptionally patient approach at the plate. Gardner, standing at 5’11” and weighing in at 195 lbs., will work the count, see a lot of pitches, and take his walks when they are given to him making him the perfect candidate to either hit at the top of the Yankees batting order, or towards the bottom to give the Yankees two lead-off type options back-to-back.

Brett Michael Gardner was born on August 24, 1983 in Holly Hill, South Carolina where he attended Holly Hill Academy and played for the school’s baseball team. Gardner was not given a scholarship to attend college and instead walked on at the College of Charleston in 2001. Gardner won a spot on the team and became a three-year starter for the College of Charleston Cougars before the New York Yankees drafted the speedy outfielder in the third round, 109^th overall, of the 2005 MLB First Year Players Draft. Gardner received a $210,000 signing bonus and immediate began his professional career in the New York-Penn League.

Gardner was a Florida State League All-Star in 2006 with the Tampa Yankees and by 2007, despite missing time with a broken hand, Gardner made it all the way to Triple-A and the Arizona Fall League. Gardner was on the cusp of the big leagues in 2008 and would finally receive that promotion call on June 30 to make his MLB debut against the Texas Rangers. The Yankees would later acquire outfielder Xavier Nady, thus pushing Gardner back down to the Minor Leagues, in 2008, although Brett was called back up later and finished the season in New York. Gardner impressed the Yankees in 2008 and continued to do so in the spring of 2009, winning the Opening Day center field job for the club. Gardner helped lead the Yankees to the 2009 World Series championship over the Philadelphia Phillies. Gardner was shifted to left field starting in 2010 and won a Fielding Bible Award there. Gardner was named the Yankees lead-off hitter starting in 2011, although he struggled in the role and was demoted to the bottom third of the order until an injury to Derek Jeter forced him back to the top of the lineup. Gardner won his second consecutive Fielding Bible Award in 2011 and also led the American League in stolen bases with 49, tying Coco Crisp.

Gardner underwent right elbow surgery on July 24, 2012 to remove a bone spur and some inflamed tissue and his season was in jeopardy. Gardner was able to return to the club after a setback in his rehab and finished the season playing just 16 games for the Yankees, posting a .323 average with two stolen bases and three RBI. Gardner returned to center field in 2013 after Curtis Granderson fractured his right forearm during a spring training game, and after the season the Yankees center fielder earned a four-year extension worth $52 million from the team beginning in 2015. Gardner rewarded the Yankees with a strong 2014 season and a career high in home runs with 17, all despite a rectus abdominis muscle injury that hampered him for much of the second half of the season and the same injury that required surgery after the year. Gardner was named an American League All-Star reserve in 2015 and won his first Gold Glove Award in 2016 as a left fielder.

Gardner was an integral part of the Yankees 2017 season and their march to the ALCS against the Houston Astros. The Yankees would get within one game of the World Series before falling to the eventual World Series champion Houston Astros. Gardner began taking a step back in 2018 as Father Time may have begun to catch up with the speedy Yankees left fielder. Gardner saw his playing time decrease after the Yankees acquired Andrew McCutchen and saw his statistics drop to an all-time low as an everyday player. Gardner’s team option was declined for the 2019 season, but the team ultimately brought him back for at least one more season, signing him to a one-year deal worth $7.5 million. Now Gardner will look to turn things around and finish his career strong, either as an everyday left fielder for the Yankees, in a platoon with a guy like Clint Frazier, or on the bench behind a guy like (dream big or don’t dream at all) Bryce Harper.

Good luck Gardy, I look forward to the Gardy Party all season long…