My Thoughts on the Hal Steinbrenner Interview

I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing but it is what it is right now. Hal Steinbrenner is not his father. He doesn’t have to have an interview after every Yankees loss, trade or interview and for the most part he pretty much stays out of the limelight like, in my opinion, an owner should. Just write the checks, pay the bills, bring in the players and shut the hell up. I’m sorry to be so brash but that’s just how I feel although when the owner does talk I do tend to listen. This week Steinbrenner spoke and here are my thoughts on his interview.

The Yankees are in first place in the American League East Division as we speak this morning and the first thing Steinbrenner was asked in his recent interview was whether the Yankees would be buyers, sellers or both at the July 31^st trading deadline. Steinbrenner responded by saying that the Yankees “may” add but they will definitely not be selling this summer meaning New York may add a new starting pitcher in a couple months and we may see a new arm added to the bullpen or two but all signs point to us being stuck with Chris Carter for the remainder of the season. Darn.

Steinbrenner also reiterated his desire to get the team’s luxury tac payroll under $197 million next year, which with the injection of youth in recent years and the massive contracts of CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez coming off the books after the season seems to be attainable, so that the Yankees can cut their luxury tax penalty from 50% on every dollar to 20% on every dollar. Just in time to sign Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and possibly Clayton Kershaw thus starting the process all over again. Hey, one can dream can’t we?

I will also say I continue to be impressed with Steinbrenner’s knowledge (or poker face) regarding the Yankees farm system He has proven that he is either in tune with what’s going on down on the farm or is being briefed before every interview because he knows the names, he knows the affiliates and he really seems to know his stuff regarding Yankees prospects. Maybe he reads us and Pinstriped Prospects?

He’s still cheap though. Open up the purse strings brother! Have a great day everyone. 

Pinstriped Prospects: Yankees Sign Three International Free Agents

Pinstriped Prospects is a great Yankees site if you’re into the Minor League aspect of the game and if you like to follow the Yankees and their prospects like I do. Robert Pimpsner is the owner of the site and I like to consider him a good friend of mine so any time I can plug his site and help him out, and trust me he and that great crew over there don’t need the help by any means because they do an amazing job of it on their own, I do. Robert has done interviews for me on my site during Prospects Month so it’s the very least I can do which brings me to the Yankees and their recent international free agent signings.

According to Baseball America’s Matt Eddy, although I found the information on Robert’s Pinstriped Prospects site, the Yankees have signed three IFA’s over the last few weeks. New York has signed right-handed pitchers Wilser Barrios and Daison Manazano along with shortstop Starlin Paulino. Barrios and Manazano were assigned to the Gulf Coast League Yankees after signing while Paulino, although speculated to be joining them, has not been assigned as of the time of this writing.

Barrios is 19-years old and bring a 6’2” and 160 lbs. frame to the GCL Yankees while Manazano, just 18-years old, is 6’0” and 180 lbs. Just based off frames alone Manazano sounds like another Luis Severino to me although again I will say that is just based off him small frame. I know absolutely nothing about his pitching mechanics or repertoire at this time unfortunately.

Paulino is 17-years old and is fresh off being named on the World Showcase Top Prospects List according to Perfect Game. Perfect Game goes on to say that the 6’0” 165 lb. shortstop has a “medium, athletic build with square shoulders and a lean and projectable build with room to fill out with additional strength.” See below for the complete scouting report from Perfect Game:

 “Starlin Paulino is a 2018 SS with a 6-0 165 lb. frame from Santo Domingo, SD who is Home Schooled. Medium, athletic build with square shoulders and a lean and projectable build with room to fill out with additional strength. Primary middle infielder, hands play very well at the ball, sure and clean actions, fields the ball out front, quick hands with a very accurate arm and present strength across the diamond, moves well on feet and quick to the ball. Righthanded hitter, begins with an upright stance a high back elbow in the box. Small leg lift trigger for timing, quick hands with a direct path to the ball, sound swing plane and creates line drive contact to pull side. Short and compact swing with a strong feel for the barrel, comes off well and projects for more with additional strength. Strong all around tool set that project nicely all around. Named to World Showcase Top Prospect List.”

Paulino sure sounds like a good pickup for the Yanks. Stay tuned. 

Yankees Release Seven MiLB Pitchers

The New York Yankees have released seven minor league pitching prospects this month according to our friends over at Pinstriped Prospects. The list includes seven names that many casual fans have never heard of including Artur Strzalka, Rafel Ordaz, Leonardo Garcia, Deshorn Lake, Moises Cedeno, Icezack Flemming and Zack Wasserman.

Strzalka is a name I recognize but only because he was the first player to be born and raised in Poland to sign with a Major League team. Strzalka struggled in 21 games with the Gulf Coast League Yankees before being cut lasting just 29 innings with New York.

Much of the rest of the list is compiled of players who were signed as International Free Agents that never made it much higher than the Dominican Summer League with one exception, Flemming. Flemming was selected in the 26^th round of the 2015 MLB First Year Players Draft by the Yankees and climbed all the way to High-A Tampa with the Tampa Yankees before finishing the 2016 season in Pulaski.

Good luck to all seven of these young men as they begin the next chapter in their careers. 

Welcome Back Nick Rumbelow!

The New York Yankees are at it again, this time they brought back Nick Rumbelow. The team designated Rumbelow for assignment earlier this winter as the right-hander will miss most of, if not all of, the 2017 regular season as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery but the team has brought him back on a new minor league deal according to Robert Pimpsner and our friends over at Pinstriped Prospects.

Rumbelow, just 25-years old, was originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the seventh round of the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft out of LSU. By the 2015 season Rumbelow had already reached the Major Leagues appearing in 17 games down the stretch before hurting his arm just one game into the 2016 season.

Rumbelow had Tommy John surgery this season after going on the disabled list on April 11^th so a late August or September call up is not completely out of the realm of possibilities but it is very likely that he misses the entire regular season just to be sure he’s healthy and ready. Either way, welcome home.

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

Weekly Prospects Check In: Dillon Tate

Dillon Tate used to be the Texas Rangers top pitching prospects before a Carlos Beltran trade went down this summer and now he remains property of the New York Yankees. Many wondered and worried about his dip in velocity since joining the Rangers but since joining the Yankees organization the velocity has suddenly returned. Was he trying to do too much in Texas? Was he bored? Was it a mechanical adjustment? I can't say for sure but according to our friends at PinstripedProspects.com his velocity is sitting around 94-96 MPH again.

Welcome back to the flame throwers club Dillon and welcome to New York:

Year	Age	Tm	Aff	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	H9	HR9	BB9	SO9
2016	22	2 Teams	TEX-NYY	3	3	4.79	22	16	77.0	96	47	41	5	31	64	1.649	11.2	0.6	3.6	7.5
2016	22	Hickory	TEX	3	3	5.12	17	16	65.0	78	39	37	5	27	55	1.615	10.8	0.7	3.7	7.6
2016	22	Charleston	NYY	0	0	3.00	5	0	12.0	18	8	4	0	4	9	1.833	13.5	0.0	3.0	6.8

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

TGP Prospects Night featuring Domingo Acevedo

Robert Pimpsner, the owner and founder of the YES Network affiliated Pinstriped Prospects blog, called him the best Yankees pitching prospect besides James Kaprielian and, spoiler alert, he ranked awfully high on my personal Top 30 Prospects List. Domingo Acevedo may be the future of the Yankees farm system and the future of the Yankees starting rotation. At worst, his floor, his comparison is that of Dellin Betances. A shutdown All-Star reliever with 100+ strikeouts in consecutive seasons. At best he's an ace in the making that may struggle with command at times because of his heavy fastball and huge frame. Are you excited yet? If you're not watch him throw this bullpen session as a member of the Staten Island Yankees. If that doesn't get you excited then go and get your pulse checked, you may be dead. 

Our Annual Prospects Month Interview w/ Robert Pimpsner

What would a Prospects Month be without an interview with my very dear friend and owner of the YES Network affiliated Pinstriped Prospects blog Robert Pimpsner? Pimpsner is back on the blog for the third Prospects Month in a row with his third interview he has been so gracious to give us and this time he comes with a little bit of an announcement. Before we get to that and the meat and potatoes of the interview I want to thank Mr. Pimpsner for reaching out and doing this for us a third time, it truly means the world to me to have friends and colleagues in this business that are willing to help out and take the time. Robert, thank you! And without further delay or mush from me I bring you the interview we did with the owner of Pinstriped Prospects, Robert Pimpsner.

The Greedy Pinstripes:

Robert, thank you once again for taking the time to do an interview with us during our Prospects Month. This is our third year interviewing you for the event and we have seen some amazing changes in your site Pinstripes Prospects. In the first interview you just teased us with its opening and now you have a great team of writers including Matt Kardos, Gershon Rabinowitz, Josh Sabo and others and a well-oiled machine in the world of covering Yankees prospects. Do you have any advice for anyone trying to get into the world of writing, blogging or covering prospects?

Robert Pimpsner:

First is don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to those who have been doing this a while. Second remember to stay humble, sometimes in this business it is easy to get an ego and you start to build a reputation as someone. Also remember that to be in this business you need a thick skin and to be able to take constructive criticism. It is just part of the job.


TGP:

So I have been reading your Top 50 Prospects list that you guys released, SEEN HERE, and I have a lot of questions for you. The main difference between your list and my list is Tyler Wade. While I don't think he's an organizational prospect by any means I just don't get why he is listed so high on so many prospects lists. Can you explain to me and anyone else who may scratch their head when they compare his rankings to his stats and scout grades?

RP:

From a scouting standpoint there is just a lot to really like about the guy. He does a lot of things very well and has the potential to be a contributor at the MLB level in the next few years. That said if you look at his stats he has pretty much hit everywhere he has been except for the brief cameo he had in AA. The key for him now is how takes that challenge and if he can make the adjustment to get back to his previous success.

TGP: 

Kyle Holder is another prospect that is all over the place on many prominent prospects lists for the Yankees. Some have him and his elite defense in or around the Top 10 while others, like your list, have him in the late 20's or early 30's. Is it because he is so raw and has only been playing full-time baseball for a couple years now or is it because his bat just simply hasn't translated yet that keeps him so low for you?

RP:
I really like Holder as a player personally. He does not strike out a lot, he gets the bat on the ball but always seems to find a glove. He is a guy that if he had a bit more muscle a lot of those balls would have gotten past the fielders and be base hits, and a few would have gone over the fence. Now he can put the muscle on in the off season but everything will depends on if he can make the adjustments to go along with it.

TGP: 

Luis Torrens had a very serious shoulder operation and missed the entire 2015 season. Torrens was once thought to be the best catcher in the Yankees minor league system, even ranked ahead of Gary Sanchez on most projection lists, so what do you know about the surgery he had and what are his chances of getting back to his 2013 form after the surgery?

RP:

Well the Yankees like to keep injury information close to the chest, not much information gets out but from my understanding everything was a success. We tweeted out in September that he returned during the Instructional League where he got time as Designated Hitter, everything seems to be okay for him now but can’t really make a statement on the health of the shoulder until I see him in game action. He is a guy that I have a lot of high hopes for, to me he is a better all-around catcher than Sanchez. He can defend and hit the ball well when healthy, let us not forget that Brian McCann went through something similar.

TGP: 

Speaking of prospects with a lot to prove, what are your thoughts on Tyler Austin and what do you think he can do in 2016? Personally I think he is in line to be the next Mason Williams, the prospect that gets outrighted off the 40 man only to force his way back onto the scene with a big season. Your thoughts?

RP:

I am struggling to find a place with the Yankees for Tyler Austin. He is crunched out of the outfield in the upper levels and his only other position would be first base. Now the question is: do the Yankees give Austin the shot as the everyday first baseman in Trenton or Scranton or is he regulated to a bench bat? Unless he has a big season and really bounces back I do not expect him back with the Yankees in 2017.

TGP:

And quite possibly the biggest reclamation project and the prospect with the most to prove to me is Ty Hensley? Personally I love the guy and his family as people but I left him off my list completely while you have him ranked 24th. Is that because of his projections and ceiling or do you know something that I don't? I am generally pessimistic about players in the first year removed from Tommy John surgery.

RP:

The first year back from Tommy John surgery is the worst, that is when they are struggling the most and will have a short leash out there. He is a guy that I believe come back from, after covering his season in 2014 with the Staten Island Yankees I have said he is the most mentally strong person I have ever met. The guy has the best outlook on life and with all the struggles he has had he needs it. Having seen his stuff there is a lot to like, his biggest issue is staying healthy. When he is healthy his stuff is great and he can be a big league starter eventually.

TGP: 

Who has the better chance to make the Major Leagues in 2016, Chance Adams or Will Carter? Why?

RP:

Good question, there is a lot to consider. Does Chance Adams move to the rotation for the 2016 season? Can the Yankees push Carter through the system quickly? It is really tough to say right now without knowing where they will be.

TGP: 

The two prospects the Yankees acquired from Detroit in the Justin Wilson trade, Luis Cessa and Chad Green, were brought in as Triple-A starting pitching depth. Do either have a spot on the Yankees in the future in your mind?

RP:

It is tough to say. I really don’t know that much about either of them. I am looking forward to seeing them pitch and get a better feel for their stuff and abilities.

TGP: 

And your 50th prospect, Jhalan Jackson. I love what he brings to the plate but do you think he can cut down on his strikeouts and if he does what do you think his projection is in say five years?

RP:

Amazing plus raw power, this guy can really knock the ball out of the park. His struggles last season was mostly because of the injuries he racked up, whether it was his thumb, back, leg, etc. He spent a lot of time on the disabled list for a short-season team. I think he can be a contributor in the future, especially if he goes back to how he was the first 2 weeks of the SI Yanks season.

TGP:

Besides James Kaprielian who do you think the Yankees best starting pitching prospect is left in the system?

RP:

Hands down Domingo Acevedo. He is a guy that profiles as a front of the rotation starter with a plus-fastball that has already hit 103MPH, his slider has seen great improvement over the few months he was with Staten Island and has a changeup that has been effective so far. At worst the guy can be a lights out closer but I don’t see that happening. A lot of people bring up the Betances comp with him and I don’t see that, I saw both play early in their careers and can tell you that they are two different guys. Acevedo has the ability to stick, just have to be patient and let him work things out. The guy has the best work ethic I have seen ever.

TGP:

Which prospects can you see falling off the list due to inning pitched or at bat milestones and who do you think is in danger of falling off due to development and progression?

RP:

I think we can see Jacob Lindgren and James Pazos could see a lot of time in The Bronx this season and exhaust their rookie eligibility. Guys like DeCarr, Hensley, etc do need to come back strong this year or they are in danger of either falling to the back of the list or off the list completely.

TGP:

Name one prospect that the casual fan probably doesn't know now but will know by the end of the 2016 season?

RP:

Wilkerman Garcia, this is a guy that is similar to Jorge Mateo in many ways but is also a bit more well-rounded and has better power.

TGP:

I know you have a passion for cooking, what’s the last thing that you cooked that you were truly impressed with or proud of?

RP:

I just recently branching out and trying to be a bit more creative. I made a nice spicey-meatball mac and cheese that was delicious but still love my Beef Wellington the most.

TGP: 

You're a fan of WWE, what Yankees player (prospect or established player) do you think would do the best in the WWE assuming it was real? You don't have to be realistic here.

RP:

Hmm. I have never thought about this before. You need to be a natural athlete to success in wrestling. It is probably one of the hardest things to do, nothing can compare to cardiovascular durability you need to go even 5 minutes in a ring. Guys like Mateo, Garcia, etc. could be good luchadores. Aside from that I am not sure.

TGP: 

You used to wear suits in the booth when you covered the Staten Island Yankees and you're still the best dressed person I know, where do you get your attire?

RP:

Most of my clothes now are custom made from this place called Enzo Custom Clothiers. They make awesome clothes and I get to pick everything I want and fits perfectly. I highly suggest checking them out, and if you do drop my name.

TGP: 

Tell us a little bit, or as much as you can, about your soon-to-be launched Amazin Prospects which covers the prospects of the New York Mets.

RP:

Amazin’ Prospects will launch in March on the 2-year birthday of Pinstriped Prospects. Myself and a several members of the Pinstriped Prospects team will be contributing to Amazin’ Prospects in one fashion or another. We really want to bring MLB-quality coverage to the minor leagues for all teams, not just the Yankees.

Once again I want to thank Robert for taking the time to do this for us. I truly enjoy speaking with you and we don’t do it nearly enough. You can check out Pinstripes Prospects HERE directly or on the YES Network where they are affiliated. Also be on the lookout for Amazin’s Prospects if you’re a fan of the Mets as the crew over there brings you the same up-to-the-minute news and coverage for that OTHER team that calls New York home and their prospects.