A Yankees Day in the Life: Justus Sheffield

To steal a few words from Scott Fiedler, which I guess were technically borrowed from myself in the first place, “Sonny Gray Sucks.” Yeah, I am a Sonny Gray fan and yeah, I am a wee bit disappointed in his performance since donning the Yankees pinstripes at the expense of three really good Yankees prospects. It sucks, but I am not worried. You know why? Because the Yankees have a deep farm system with more than a few blue-chip prospects in it including possibly their best starting pitching prospect that was last seen dominating Double-A pitching. His name is Justus Sheffield and he came to the New York Yankees via a trade with the Cleveland Indians involving Andrew Miller. Could 2018 be the year we see Sheffield reach the Major League level and the Bronx? Unfortunately, we will have to stay tuned for that, but while we wait we can all watch this amazing documentary as we try to see what it is like to spend a Yankees day in the life as Justus Sheffield.

Enjoy the video!

Yankees Set Thunder Opening Day Roster

THUNDER ROSTER 4-5-18

The New York Yankees have set the Thunder roster for the 25th season of play at ARM & HAMMER Park.

The roster features three of the top starting pitching prospects in the organization with RHP Domingo Acevedo, LHP Justus Sheffield and RHP Dillon Tate lining up at the front of the rotation. All three rank in the top-10 of Baseball America's pre-season Yankees prospect list with Sheffield checking in at #3. RHP Will Carter and RHP Erik Swanson round out the starting group for the Thunder, a team that set the franchise record for team ERA (2.83) and shutouts (20). 

The bullpen features a number of strong arms including Rule V returnee RHP Jose Mesa Jr.. Righties Jordan Foley, Joe Harvey, Brian Keller, and Andrew Schwaab will be joined by left-handers Caleb Frare, James Reeves and Stephen Tarpley. 

Behind the plate C Jorge Saez returns after hitting nine home runs in 67 games for the team. Former Reading Fightin Phils catcher Chace Numata joins Saez as a catcher for the club. 

In the field, the roster features two local products. Council Rock South High School graduate Billy Fleming breaks camp with the team. He's joined by West Windsor Plainsboro South High School graduate, Ben Ruta; who will make his Double-A debut when he takes the field for the first time.

Rounding out the position players on the roster, infielders Chris Gittens, Bruce Caldwell, Vince Conde, Gosuke Katoh, and Mandy Alvarez join the team. Conde and Fleming are the only infielders returning to the team from 2017. In the outfield, Trey Amburgey, Rashad Crawford, and Jhalan Jackson join Ruta. Amburgey appeared in one game for the Thunder in the 2016 ELCS against Ak

Waiting for Training Camp to Open…

The Cole Hard Truth…

I wish the Yankees would put the Gerrit Cole rumors to rest. Yesterday, it was reported that the Houston Astros had interest in Cole as a possible acquisition target. Fine, let the ‘Stros pay the high price for the talented but inconsistent starter. But no, the New York Daily News had to run a story that ‘Gerrit Cole to Yankees seems inevitable’ despite the interest from Houston.

For me, the ship has sailed. I was once enamored with the idea of adding Cole, but as time has passed, I see greater value with Jordan Montgomery in the starting rotation and guys like Clint Frazier and Chance Adams part of the organization. I would still like to see the Yankees create an opening for Frazier through the trade of either Brett Gardner or Jacoby Ellsbury (somebody take Ellsbury, please!) but Red Thunder can play a huge role on the 2018 Yankees if given the opportunity.

Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac-Getty Images

The Yankees have the money to add a proven third baseman and move forward to training camp with a solid starting five of Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray, CC Sabathia, and Jordan Montgomery. Chance Adams, Justus Sheffield, and Albert Abreu headline the list of talented pitching prospects that can be plugged in if necessary at some point during the season but there are other arms in the organization that can help. Chad Green was told to report to training camp as a starter. He’s certainly an option (although my preference is to keep him in the 'pen), and Adam Warren is always on standby. Let’s keep any bullets for a trade to use in July when the team assesses its needs for the duration of the season without having to further deplete the great farm system that Cashman and Company have built.  

Speaking of a proven third baseman…

I know that Todd Frazier just wants to play baseball and would like to know where he is going to spend the upcoming season. But his words to the New York Post yesterday read like a veiled plea to the Yankees. According to the Post article written by Kevin Kernan, Frazier said “It’s going to be a new, revitalized me. I want to prove that I’m worth it. I want to be prepared and be the leader I can be on the field. I know whatever team I do fit with, they’re going to get the best Todd Frazier they are ever going to have because I want to play better. I want to get my average up. I have a lot of goals set for myself. Whenever we figure out what team we are going to go with, it’s going to be a lot of fun because I’m going to get these guys going as much as I am going to get myself going.”

It’s that last sentence “…I’m going to get these guys going…” that strikes a chord with Frazier’s leadership qualities and the strong influence he plays in the clubhouse. 

Photo Credit:  Mark Blinch-AP

“I would love a multi-year deal, but I am not closing the door on anything. I’m prepared for anything.” Brian Cashman, that’s a message for you. 

In the Post article, Frazier goes on to say “We’ve had contact with the Yankees, my agent, Brodie (Van Wagenen) has done a great job.  I love playing for the Yankees.  It was such a fun time for me.  We just came up short. We had a really good squad, and they are going to be really good again.” Reading between the lines, he is clearly saying that he can help the Yankees get to the next level. Of course, the article also implies that Frazier would gladly join the New York Mets for the right opportunity, but clearly Frazier recognizes that this is a great time to be a New York Yankee.

Can Van Wagenen and Cashman find common ground to bring the Toddfather back to the Bronx? I can't speak for others, but I would love to see it. There are no guarantees that Manny Machado will be wearing pinstripes in 2019. Josh Donaldson is on the wrong side of his prime. Granted, Frazier is only a year younger than Donaldson, but Frazier has shown that he can excel as a Yankee. I would really like to see what Todd could do with an entire season at Yankee Stadium. I remain hopeful that the Yankees can find a way to bring Frazier back.

Goodbye, Home Run Derby…

I’ve never been a Trenton Thunder game so I’ve never had the good fortune watch Derby, a 9-year-old Golden Retriever, in action retrieving baseball bats. Yesterday, the Yankees Family was greatly saddened to learn the news that Derby had died over the weekend from cancer. 

The Trenton Thunder will celebrate Derby Day on Friday, January 26th, which would have been Derby's tenth birthday. They’ll share a special tribute video and are encouraging fans to participate through social media. 

Derby was the son of the late Thunder Bat Dog, Chase That Golden Thunder, who passed away from cancer in 2013. Derby’s son, Rookie, began full-time bat retrieving duties for the Thunder in 2016. So, the spirit of Derby and his father Chase will live on through Rookie at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, NJ.

Farewell, Derby. Thanks for a job well done! You’ve left a piece of yourself in the heart of the Yankees Universe.

Oakland Athletics with Pinstripes showing…

Former Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders manager Al Pedrique, now first base coach for the Oakland A’s, will see a number of familiar faces in Arizona next month. Of course, he’ll see the guys involved in the Sonny Gray trade…Dustin Fowler, Jorge Mateo and James Kaprielian. But he’ll also see former Yankees first-round pick Slade Heathcott, who signed as a minor league free agent. Heathcott spent last year in the Giants organization. Injuries and an inability to hit with success in the upper levels of the minor leagues have plagued Heathcott, now 27. Hopefully, the clean slate in Oakland works to his advantage.

Photo Credit:  Ray Stubblebine-NY Post

Speaking of training camp, I read yesterday that Evan Longoria has already reported to the San Francisco Giants training facility in Scottsdale, AZ. Wow, baseball will be back before we know it. Pitchers and catchers have a little more than a month before they have to report to Tampa. We’ve been treated to the training videos of Giancarlo Stanton and Gary Sanchez, but I am looking forward to watching these guys in action at Steinbrenner Field. Soon, young Grasshopper…

Go Yankees! 

Thunder Extend Netting At ARM & HAMMER Park for 2018 Season

Thunder Extend Netting At ARM & HAMMER Park for 2018 Season

The Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, are pleased to announce that the backstop netting at ARM & HAMMER Park has been extended for the 2018 season.

The backstop net at ARM & HAMMER Park will be the first in Minor League Baseball to use the green MLB-exclusive knotless netting. The backstop netting will extend in a triangle shape to the end of the dugout on both sides of the ballpark.

"Following the recommendations of Major League Baseball, we explored many options for how we could comply," said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. "Fan safety is a top priority for us and we found this netting from C & H Baseball was the perfect balance of safety without affecting sightlines for our fans."

The project has been completed for Opening Day at ARM & HAMMER Park as the franchise prepares for it's 25th season.

"Providing a great ballpark experience includes ensuring the safety of spectators," said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. "I applaud Thunder management for taking this step to further protect fans without detracting from their ability to enjoy the game."

C & H Baseball, based in Lakewood Ranch, FL, has produced baseball field equipment, backstop netting, and stadium padding design, production, and installation for over 49 years.

Your Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, will begin the 2018 season, the 25th in franchise history, on Thursday, April 5 when they host the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants). Season tickets, Pic-A-Plans, Mini Plans and Group Tickets are on sale now at www.TrentonThunder.com and by phone at 609-394-3300.

--THUNDER--

Thunder Welcome Nine To New Front Office Positions

Thunder Welcome Nine To New Front Office Positions

Lydia Rios has been promoted to VP, Marketing & Sponsorships

The 25th season of baseball at ARM & HAMMER Park is right around the corner and the Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, are pleased to welcome nine members of the organization to new positions for the 2018 season and beyond.

A lifelong resident of Hamilton Square, NJ, Lydia Rios has been promoted to VP, Marketing & Sponsorships. Rios joined the Thunder prior to the 2015 season and has overseen substantial increases in sponsorship revenue in three seasons leading the department.

"Lydia has been a fantastic addition to our team," said Thunder GM/COO Jeff Hurley. "Her passion and energy for life is infectious to our entire staff. Her always sunny attitude inspires every person on our staff from full-time employees to assistants to interns to game day staff to smile and have fun while working here. Her previous experience working in the marketplace has made her an indispensable leader in our sales efforts."

Within the Corporate Sales Department, Vince Marcucci has been promoted to Director, Corporate & Community Affairs. Marcucci joined the Thunder prior to the 2015 season as a Ticket Sales Account Representative and has since taken the reigns of the team's Community Affairs efforts and sits as the Executive Director of Grand Slam We Care, the team's 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Marcucci is a member of the Princeton Mercer Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau's Steering Committee, serves as the Vice-Chair of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, a member of the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for Advancing Opportunities. Marcucci was honored by the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce as a Champion for Business on October 5, 2017.

In the Creative Services department, the Thunder are pleased to welcome Deanna Lugo and Dylan DeSimine to new positions for the 2018 season. Lugo joined the team prior to the 2016 season as Production Manager and was promoted to Director, Creative Services in July of 2017. As Director, Lugo oversees all production and creative elements of the Thunder entertainment experience as well as the creation of all internal and external marketing materials for the organization. Originally from Ocean City, NJ, Lugo holds a bachelor's degree in Radio/Film/TV from Rowan University. Prior to joining the Thunder, Lugo spent time working for NFL Films in their camera department and NBC Sports Philadelphia as a Studio Technician.

DeSimine joins the Thunder after spending the 2017 season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Kansas City Royals, Advanced-A) as Web & Creative Services Assistant and Producer of the Rocks Report, a biweekly show about the team. DeSimine graduated from Rowan University with a Film & Broadcasting degree in 2016, has spent time working with the Production Department at the Philadelphia Eagles and can work a Star Wars reference into almost any coversation he takes part in.

The Thunder are pleased to welcome Jason Smith as Head Groundskeeper after one season working with the Baltimore Orioles Groundscrew. While with the Orioles, Smith worked under former Thunder Groundskeeper, Nicole Sherry, and will embark on his ninth season working in turf management. Smith was raised in Ames, Iowa and graduated from O'Gorman High School in 2004 (Sioux Falls, SD). While in college at the University of Northern Iowa, Smith played baseball and had Tommy John surgery performed by Dr. James Andrews before beginning his career in field and turf management with the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Minnesota Twins, Class-A).

In the Ticket and Group Sales Department, the Thunder are pleased to welcome Freddie Strebeck and Tommy Kay as Ticket Sales Account Representatives and Kevin Brady as Group Sales Account Executive.

Strebeck, a 2017 graduate of West Chester University with a degree in Communications and Journalism, hails from South Brunswick, NJ and joins the full-time staff after spending the 2017 season as a Front Office Intern and Group Sales Coordinator. As a student, he completed a Social Media Marketing internship with the Rams' Athletic Department. Strebeck, an avid sports fan, attended the clinching game of the both the 2008 and 2009 World Series.

Kay joins the Thunder after spending 2017 with the Wilmington Blue Rocks as a Ticket Sales Assistant. Kay hails from Springfield, NJ and graduated from Temple University with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management. While at Temple, Kay completed internships with the Philadelphia Soul and Burlington County Division of Parks.

Brady joined the team as a Ticket Sales Assistant in 2016 and joined the full-time staff as a Ticket Sales Account Representative during the following season. Originally from Stow, Massachusetts, Brady joined the Thunder after serving as an Event Operations Intern for the Philadelphia Union (MLS) and a Game Day Operations Intern for the Philadelphia Soul (Arena Football League) while he completed his degree in Marketing & Management from Penn State Abington in 2015. Brady is an avid New England Patriots fan and much to his disappointment, shares no relation to Tom.

Lauren Cox joined the team as Office Manager in May after graduating from Temple University's Sport and Recreation Management in 2016. Cox comes to the Thunder after completing internships with the Men's and Women's US Open Golf Tournaments and the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs (Philadelphia Philles, Class-AAA) in 2014, and with Comcast Spectacor in 2015 and 2016 in talent acquisition and employee engagement. Originally from East Windsor, NJ, Cox lists her favorite foods as pizza, pierogies and pickles.

Your Thunder, presented by NJM Insurance, will begin the 2018 season, the 25th in franchise history, on Thursday, April 5 when they host the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants). Season tickets, Pick-A-Plans, Mini Plans and Group Tickets are on sale now at www.TrentonThunder.com and by phone at 609-394-3300.

--THUNDER--

STATEN ISLAND YANKEES RELEASE 2018 SEASON SCHEDULE

STATEN ISLAND YANKEES RELEASE 2018 SEASON SCHEDULE

Opening Day scheduled for Friday, June 15, against Brooklyn

STATEN ISLAND- The Staten Island Yankees are excited to announce the team's 2018 season schedule. The Baby Bombers kick off another action-packed summer for a 20th season of baseball on Staten Island, and it all begins at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George on Friday, June 15, as cross-bridge rival Brooklyn takes a trip over the Verrazano Bridge.

New for the upcoming season, two of the team’s five Sunday home games (June 17 – Father’s Day and Sept. 2 – Final Regular Season Home Game) will have a 1:30 p.m. first pitch. Also new for 2018, the Staten Island Yankees host a “Businessperson’s Special” with a unique 2 p.m. first pitch on Wednesday, Aug. 22. The Baby Bombers host three Camp Days with two 11 a.m. first pitch dates (Monday, July 16, and Thursday, Aug. 9) and one noon first pitch date (Wednesday, Aug. 1). Standard first pitch times for home games are 4 p.m. on Sundays and 7 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. Gates for Richmond County Bank Ballpark open to fans one hour prior to first pitch.

Along with a few new start times, highlights of the 2018 schedule include games on Father’s Day, Fourth of July, and six home contests against arch-rival Brooklyn.

Fans can reserve season tickets, partial plans and group outings for the 2018 season by contacting a Staten Island Yankees ticket rep at (718) 720-9265 or by email at tickets@siyanks.com. Contact us today to reserve your tickets or for more information about the 2018 season.

The Staten Island Yankees are the Single A-Short Season Affiliate of the New York Yankees and play at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The Staten Island Yankees are six-time New York-Penn League Champions (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011). For more information, visit siyanks.com.

-SIY-

Next Baby Bomber to Watch: Thairo Estrada

Two Baby Bombers to watch in one day, boy is it your lucky day or what? I kid, a little bit anyway, but really I am just so excited over the future of this Yankees team and farm system. I have salivated for years at the thought of the likes of Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Greg Bird knocking bombs over the wall while Luis Severino and others pitched and closed out those games and now that those dreams have come to fruition it’s time to keep moving forward. It is time to keep looking towards the future as the second wave of reinforcements is coming for the Bronx Bombers, and one of those such players is named Thairo Estrada.

Estrada is likely to be added to the 40 man roster this offseason to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft but with that not set in stone let’s take a look at the decision that is looming and the man that it affects for the Yankees. Estrada was signed out of Venezuela back in 2013 and the infielder made his debut at just 17-years old. Now Estrada is 21-years old and is coming off his first All-Star Game appearance for the Double-A Trenton Thunder, and not a moment too soon for Estrada either.

Estrada is considered to be a contact hitter with little power, although he is a strong guy because of all the different gloves that he carries around. Estrada has played second base, short stop and third base during his tenure with the Yankees and the small right-hander, Estrada stands just 5’11” and 185 lbs., is already drawing comparisons to Ronald Torreyes. Estrada is a career .287/.347/.392 hitter with eight career home runs who doesn’t take a lot of walks but he doesn’t strike out a ton either. Again, he is considered to be a contact hitter.

Estrada, like Nick Solak, will also face an uphill climb to the Major Leagues with the amount of youth, talent and depth the Yankees already have in the middle infield. It would totally be within the realm of possibilities to see Estrada traded this offseason since the Yankees already have a super utility player in Tyler Wade that the team is pretty high on but at the same time Wade could easily be traded leaving the door open for Solak or Estrada. The Yankees have options and that’s what a deep and talented farm system can do for a team. It is a sight for sore eyes and it’s been a long time coming and no one is happier than I am about it, except maybe the Steinbrenner family of course. 

Next Baby Bomber to Watch: Nick Solak

The New York Yankees have far exceeded anyone’s expectations here in 2017 with a young team that was not expected to make a serious playoff run until next season. With the Yankees magic number to clinch a playoff spot now under 10 with just a couple weeks to go left in the regular season a return to the postseason looks like an almost guarantee for the boys in pinstripes. This is great news if you’re a Yankees player or a fan of the Bronx Bombers as the “now” looks bright but what should make you even happier is the outlook towards the future. This team’s farm system is still plentiful and deep and one such member of that farm system is a young man we will showcase as our next Baby Bomber to watch, his name is Nick Solak.

Solak was a second round pick for the New York Yankees back in the 2016 MLB First Year Players Draft out of the University of Louisville as a second baseman. Solak was drafted with the intention of moving him through the system quickly and that is exactly what is happening right now with the former Cardinals infielder. Solak made his professional debut with the Staten Island Yankees in 2016 before having a breakout type season here in 2017 splitting time between the High-A Tampa Yankees and the Double-A Trenton Thunder. Solak has spent much of this season in Tampa but since his promotion to Trenton the Yankees second base prospect has seemingly not missed a beat.

Combined this season Solak hit .297/.384/.452 with 12 home runs and 26 doubles, that’s power the Yankees would love to get out of a middle infielder going forward. Solak did see his strikeout numbers increase in 2017 striking out 100 times but the team also saw Solak walk 63 times, a 12% clip this season. With this kind of production Solak is not long for Double-A and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the right-hander in Triple-A earlier rather than later during the 2018 season. Whether that trip to Scranton sets up Solak to be the everyday second baseman or a bench piece like Ronald Torreyes has been remains to be seen but one thing is for certain, Solak is on the path to the Major Leagues and you better get off the tracks… because he’s coming.

One thing I will say about Solak with the Yankees and his path to the Majors is this, New York has so much depth at the middle infield positions right now that could very well work against Solak in his journey to the show. Dare I say, trade bait this offseason? Who knows, stay tuned. 

The Night of 2 Bad Pitches...

Credit:  Paul J Bereswill-NY Post

Rays 2, Yankees 1...

The Yankees picked a bad night to go dry offensively as they fell to the Tampa Bay Rays despite a solid complete game effort from Sonny Gray. In the end, it was two misplaced pitches that were deposited into the outfield seats that helped the Rays overcome the Yankees. If the Yankees fall short of their bid to win the AL East, they'll look back at games like this and wonder what could have been.

Matt Holliday put the Yankees on the board first. Aaron Judge took a one-out walk in the top of the 1st inning, his 110th of the season to extend his own MLB rookie record.  He moved to second on a slow rolling ground out by Gary Sanchez. Matt Holliday laced a double to left when the ball went under the glove of left fielder Corey Dickerson, scoring Judge. But Holliday was left stranded when Starlin Castro followed by striking out.

Credit:  Frank Franklin II-Associated Press

The Rays wasted no time in answering the run. Rays leadoff hitter Kevin Kiermaier jumped on the first pitch by Sonny Gray to send it over the center field wall. As YES Network announcer Al Leiter said, "Welcome to the game, Sonny Gray".  

Gray rebounded and found his groove, shutting the Rays down until the 8th inning. Unfortunately, he left a pitch high and over the middle of the plate for Adeiny Hechavarria and the hitter did not waste the opportunity.  He got all of the Gray pitch to send it over the wall in left center. The Rays had their first lead of the game, 2-1.

Credit:  Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, the Yankees just couldn't get any going. Rare was the inning they sent more than three men to the plate. A 5th inning walk by Todd Frazier, a 6th inning single by Brett Gardner, and a 7th inning single by Chase Headley were the only baserunners that the Yankees could get. Unfortunately, none could get past first base, thanks in large part to ten strikeouts by Rays starter Blake Snell and the bullpen.  

The Yankees bowed out quietly in the 9th against Rays closer Alex Colome who picked up his 44th save.  

The Boston Red Sox beat the punchless Oakland A's, 11-1, so they increased their AL East lead over the Yankees (78-66) to four games. The Minnesota Twins scored two touchdowns and a safety in destroying the San Diego Padres, 16-0 (hey, it's football season, gimme a break!).  So, the lead in the Wild Card Standings shrank to three games. The Rays were able to leap-frog the Baltimore Orioles for third place in the AL East with the win. They are 7 games behind the Yankees. The O's lost a close 3-2 game to the Toronto Blue Jays.  

Sonny Gray's final line was great. He pitched 8 innings and only allowed five hits, two runs, and one walk. He struck out five. But the killer was two home runs out of 94 pitches thrown.  Run support has not been Gray's friend during his short Yankees career. In his five losses as a Yankee, he's been backed by four runs.

Credit:  Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Clint Frazier, making his return from the disabled list, tried. He had a couple of deep balls in his two at-bats, the second of which would have been met with "See ya!" from Michael Kay had the game been played at Yankee Stadium. Instead, it was just a running catch by Rays right fielder Stephen Souza, Jr.

Credit:  Anthony J Causi-NY Post

I wish I had more optimism about today's game but it is hard to get excited about Jaime Garcia, especially when he is going against Chris Archer. On paper, it looks like a mismatch in favor of the Rays.  The Yankees have had a fair amount of success against Archer so hopefully this afternoon will be another one of those times. We need runs. Hopefully the offense decides to bring their bats for the series finale.

Odds & Ends...

It was also a bad night for the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders as they dropped Game 1 of the International League's Governor's Cup Finals to the Durham Bulls (Rays), 6-0. The losing pitcher for the RailRiders was starter Ronald Herrera.  Not much offense as the RailRiders were only able to pound out three hits (two by Mason Williams). Game 2 is scheduled for this evening in Durham, NC. Domingo German gets the start for the RailRiders.

Credit:  Ben McKeown-for Times Leader

The losing continued with the Double A Trenton Thunder as they dropped Game 1 of the Eastern League Championship Series to the Altoona Curve (Pirates) by a score of 2-1. The losing pitcher for the Thunder was Dillon Tate, who like Sonny Gray pitched a great game. But at the end of the game, the scoreboard showed more runs for the other team. Game 2 will be this evening in Trenton, NJ with Justus Sheffield on the mound for the home team.

Have a great Wednesday! Let's make it a Winning Wednesday for the Pinstripers and their top farm teams! Go Yankees...and RailRiders...and Thunder!

Baby Bomber to Watch: Jose Mesa Jr.

The future is now in the Bronx as the Yankees are using the “out with the old and in with the new” method of rebuilding. Gone are old mainstays like Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira and in their places are Miguel Andujar, Todd Frazier temporarily and Greg Bird. The future is now in New York but the good news for the Bronx bombers it that future can be the future as well as the team has a deep and still has a great farm system after multiple trades before the July 31^st trading deadline. One of those players that could be part of the next wave of Baby Bombers to take over the league is the son of a former MLB player and his name is Jose Mesa Jr.

Mesa was drafted as a relief pitcher by the Yankees back in 2014 after drafting him in the 24^th round of the MLB Draft. Mesa has since switched to the starting pitching role after a down season in 2016 and has posted a 4-0 record with a 0.79 ERA with the Double-A Trenton Thunder after conquering High-A with the Tampa Yankees. Mesa has succeeded as a start due in large part to his control and command of his pitches. Mesa is striking out 10.8 batters per nine innings while walking just 3.4 batters per nine innings, both are drastic improvements from his numbers as a reliever.

Mesa has not garnered some of the attention that other pitchers have in the Yankees minor league system like Chance Adams but with numbers like the above it is hard to merely blink an eye or miss what Mesa has done in a short stint this season. If the Yankees can strike gold with Mesa like they have with many other pitchers who have gone from relief pitcher to starting pitcher the team will have a great problem on their hands, too many good arms and not enough innings to throw them all.

The Greedy Pinstripes did a “Meet a Prospect” on Jose Mesa back in 2014 when he was drafted and you can read that below. Maybe one day soon I can say I interviewed the son of a MLB pitcher who himself became a MLB pitcher of the same name. Jose Mesa. Look out for this one.

http://www.thegreedypinstripes.com/2012/07/meet-prospect-jose-mesa-jr.html

The Next Baby Bomber to Watch: Nestor Cortes

Attention all Yankees Prospect Humpers, trademark pending on that term, it is time to pay attention to the next wave of Baby Bombers coming through the Yankees system. We have all seen an enjoyed the emergence of Luis Severino, Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge and others but more reinforcements are on the way including Chance Adams who we have spoken about a lot and another arm we could see as early as the 2017 season, Nestor Cortes.

Cortes reminds me a lot of Luis Severino if I am being honest and not only because of his small pitchers frame. Cortes stands at just 5’11” and weighs in at 205 pounds. That’s where the similarities may end for some but not for me. Cortes does not throw in the mid-to-high 90’s, instead Cortes tops out at around 90 MPH. Cortes does not throw over the top like Severino, instead Cortes has a nice sidearm delivery. Cortes may not be a starting pitcher at the next level but the Yankees may have a hell of a bullpen arm coming their way really, really soon.

Cortes is now 22-years old and was drafted by the Yankees in the 36^th round of the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft, that same draft the team took Aaron Judge in among others. Cortes doesn’t overpower players but he simply wants to make outs and uses every trick in the bag to get every single out that he can which is evident by his 11-4 record and 1.53 ERA and 0.80 WHIP last season across four Yankees affiliates including the Charleston Riverdogs, the Tampa Yankees, the Trenton Thunder and the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders for one spot start. Cortes strikes out more batters than he probably should with the velocity that he has and has a 5-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio which would fit into any team and any stadium, especially Yankee Stadium.

Cortes has been moved primarily to the bullpen this season in Triple-A, although he started in Tampa and made a return trip to Trenton earlier this season, making 17 of his 27 appearances out of the bullpen. At the time of this writing Cortes is posting a 6-3 record and a 2.16 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP which is encouraging for a player the team will need to add to the 40 man roster or leave available for any team to take this winter in the Rule 5 Draft. I can’t see a scenario where the Yankees leave Cortes unprotected though as any team would love a guy who pounds the strike zone, trusts his fielders as he pitches to contact and just simply knows how to get advanced hitters out. Every team wants the next Ramiro Mendoza or Aaron Small on their team so thank goodness he looks like he is going to be a New York Yankee for a long, long time.  

So it Seems Dillon Tate is Good Again & We’re Remembering Alex Rodriguez Today

Good morning everyone and Happy Saturday. Another rainy day here in North Georgia but I guess I’ve gotten used to that by now. It seems like any day now all the people who get all sparkly in the sun are going to move down from Forks County here to my neck of the woods….. yeah I used a Twilight reference at 7:00 am on a weekend. I would un-bookmark the site too, so no hard feelings.

On this day in 2016, as we saw in our aptly named post this morning, Alex Rodriguez played his final game in Major League Baseball and with the Yankees so I want to take a chance to look back at his career a little bit one more time today. I also want to praise Brian Cashman once more because it seems like he may have found a diamond in the rough with Dillon Tate.

Tate was traded from the Texas Rangers last year at the August 1^st trading deadline for outfielder Carlos Beltran and Tate came with many question marks. Tate’s velocity was down and so was his production but either the Yankees coaches, a change of scenery or a little bit of both have seemingly turned Tate around and turned the young right-hander and former first round pick into a beast once again.

At the time of the trade Tate was sporting a 5.12 ERA for the Low-A Texas Rangers affiliate. His velocity was down and not even he knew where the ball was going when it left his hand after being the fourth overall pick in the 2015 MLB First Year Players Draft but the Yankees have seemingly turned him around. Tate was recently called up to Double-A Trenton and will make his debut there today after posting a 6-0 record and a 2.62 ERA in nine starts with the Tampa Yankees. Tate’s velocity is back up to 94 MPH and his slider is devastating to opposing batters… just like Brian Cashman knew it would.

And a special good morning to you my love. I love you and I hope you’re doing well this morning. It was a tough week but it’s getting easier and better all the time… and it’s getting closer and closer to forever too. I love you. HEY YOU.

As Charlie Sheen would say, "Winning!"...

Life is good on the Farm...

Before I begin, please let me apologize for busting out a Charlie Sheen quote.  But it did seem appropriate under the circumstances.  I knew that the Yankees' minor league teams were doing well, but I have to credit Sports Millennial for pointing out that the Yankees are the only team to have every minor league team, from Single A up to Triple A, in first place.

Triple A:  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Double A:  Trenton Thunder

Single A (Advanced):  Tampa Yankees

Single A:  Charleston RiverDogs

Single A (Short Season):  Staten Island Yankees

The Rookie League teams are not faring as well, but it is still a very impressive feat to have every minor league team from Class A to Triple A leading its respective division.  

Excellent work, Future Baby Bombers!  

Meet a Prospect: Ryan McBroom

The New York Yankees broke my heart and traded Robert Refsnyder to the Toronto Blue Jays after designating the utility infielder for assignment earlier in the week. In return the Blue Jays sent the Yankees a bit more first base depth when they sent over first baseman Ryan McBroom. McBroom was immediately assigned to Double-A Trenton with the Trenton Thunder to start his Yankees tenure and career so let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The Ryan McBroom Edition. 

The Toronto Blue Jays drafted McBroom in the 15^th round of the 2014 MLB First year Players Draft as a college senior out of the University of West Virginia. McBroom was added to the Northwest League where he completely dominated younger competition to the tune of 11 home runs and 23 doubles in just 70 games. McBroom followed that up proving that this wasn’t a fluke in 2015 winning the Midwest League Most Valuable Player Award hitting .315/.387/.482 with a league-best 39 doubles and 12 home runs while striking out just 96 times in 538 at-bats. McBroom is a big, power-hitting first baseman that has hit well at every stop throughout his minor league career. 

McBroom is listed at 6’3” and 230 lbs. so when I say he is a “big, power-hitting” first baseman I mean big and power-hitting in the most literal of ways. McBroom is somewhat limited defensively in terms of range and will be a first baseman or DH if he ever reaches the Major Leagues. McBroom is a right-handed hitter that throws with his left hand making him ideal at first base so all the talk and speculation of potentially moving him to a corner outfield spot while in the Blue Jays organization may be all for naught. At the time of the trade McBroom was slashing just .243/.321/.402 but did have 19 doubles and 12 home runs to his credit which earned him another All-Star Game appearance down in Double-A. 

McBroom has a long swing which may explain why his batting average drops as he climbs the organization’s ladder and faces tougher and more advanced talent but McBroom also finds a way to get that swing through the zone smoothly and effectively. In other words he may never hit .300 but if he makes contact with the ball it is going a long, long way. McBroom has a big leg kick that provides much of his power at the plate and has shown an ability to get around on the ball quickly with a good pitch recognition despite the length in his swing. 

McBroom is already 25-years old so don’t expect the future at first base for the Yankees with this trade but what it does do is give the Yankees some much needed depth at the position down on the farm. For a player that was rarely used and designated for assignment I guess you can’t complain too much about that. Welcome to the family Ryan!

Four Yankees Named to Double-A’s Eastern League All Star Team

Four Players Named To Eastern League All-Star Team

The Eastern League announced Wednesday that four players, RHP Yefry Ramirez, LHP Justus Sheffield, INF Thairo Estrada and 1B Mike Ford have been named to the Eastern League All-Star Game, taking place on Wednesday July 13 at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester, New Hampshire.

2017 marks the second mid-summer classic for Ramirez, in 2015 with the Missoula Osprey (Rookie, Pioneer League) he was named a mid-season All-Star. In his first season at Double-A, Ramirez has gone 7-3 with a 3.48 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 64.2 innings pitched. Ramirez was named the Eastern League Player of the Week for the week ending May 21 and enters play on June 28 ranked tenth in the league in ERA (3.48), tied for second in wins (7), fourth in batting average against (.232), and first in strikeouts per nine innings (9.19) among starting pitchers.

Sheffield earns the honor in his first full season as a member of the Yankees organization. In 14 starts for the Thunder he's compiled a 6-5 record with a 3.28 ERA. Sheffield has twice been named Eastern League Player of the Week and on Sunday, June 18 against the Erie SeaWolves, Sheffield threw his first career shutout. Entering play on June 28, Sheffield's 3.28 ERA ranks seventh in the League and his 69 strikeouts are third highest in the league. 2017 marks the third straight mid-season All-Star award for the left-hander from Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Thairo Estrada has been a staple atop the Thunder lineup and will play in his second All Star game as a professional in July. Estrada's .324 batting average entering play on June 28 ranks him fourth in the Eastern League. In addition to the high batting average, Estrada has been an on-base machine, reaching in 62-of-68 games played this season, in those 62 games he's reached 119 total times (89 hits, 23 walks, 7 hit by pitches).

Ford has been named a mid-season All-Star for the third time in his career following appearances with Charleston in 2014 and with Tampa in 2015. Ford enters play on Wednesday as the Eastern League leader in on-base percentage (.404), and walks (47). In 64 games played with the Thunder, Ford has hit eight home runs and driven in 40 runs with a .277 batting average.

The Thunder continue their series with the Richmond Flying Squirrels tonight at ARM & HAMMER Park at 7pm. For tickets and the latest information on Thunder baseball visit www.TrentonThunder.com.

--THUNDER--

Jorge Mateo Named Eastern League Player of the Week

Don’t look now but Jorge Mateo may be back after earning Eastern League Player of the Week. Here is the press release from the Trenton Thunder: 

Jorge Mateo Named Eastern League Player of the Week

The Eastern League announced Monday and INF Jorge Mateo was named the League's Player of the Week for the week of June 26th - July 2nd.

In his first six games  in Double-A, Mateo has matched his career-high with four walks in a game and set a new career-high with five RBI's in the Thunder's 14-2 defeat of New Hampshire in game one of Sunday's doubleheader.

Overall, the Yankees #3 rated prospect according to Baseball America, batted .522/.621/.913 with three doubles, one home run and two stolen bases in his first week with the Thunder. The 22-year-old infielder had five games this week in which he had at least two hits. Combined between Tampa and Trenton, Mateo is batting .262/.318/.440 with five home runs, 16 doubles, 11 triples and 30 stolen bases in 36 attempts.

Mateo's honor provides a new franchise record for the Thunder by becoming the seventh weekly award winner this season. In 2006, three different Thunder players (Shelley Duncan, Tyler Clippard, and Randy Ruiz) were honored a combined six times.

The Thunder have also set a new record for the most players named to the league's weekly award with five different players Chance Adams (April 6-16), Yefry Ramirez (May 15-21),, Justus Sheffield (May 22-28 and June 12-18), Billy McKinney (June 12-18) and Mateo earning it in 2017.

The Thunder return to ARM & HAMMER Park on Tuesday July 4th for a series with the Reading Fightin Phils. Tuesday's game features post-game firewroks presented by the U.S. Army. For tickets and the latest information on Thunder baseball visit www.TrentonThunder.com.

--THUNDER--

Yankees Send Two to All-Star Futures Game in 2017

The All-Star Game and their festivities in Major League Baseball is one of, if not the greatest All-Star Game set in all of the four major sports. Sure everyone gets hyped over the slam dunk contest in the NBA and many people enjoy the Pro Bowl in the NFL but no one puts on a show quite like Major League Baseball. You have the Home Run Derby, you have the actual All-Star Game itself and you also have the XM Futures Game which showcases top prospects from around the league representing not only their team but their countries as well. It has become quite an honor to represent your team and country in the XM Futures Game over the years and two members of the New York Yankees will be representing the team and Team World here in 2017, Domingo Acevedo and Estevan Florial.

Acevedo is currently pitching with the Double-A Trenton Thunder while Florial is an outfielder with the Charleston Riverdogs. Florial was born in Port Au Prince, Haiti while Acevedo was born in Villa los Almacigos in the Dominican Republic.

It’s also worth mentioning that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays Class-A team and Yoan Moncada of the Chicago White Sox Triple-A team will be teammates of both Acevedo and Florial in the game.

So it Seems Miguel Andujar is Learning First Base

The New York Yankees have a good problem on their hands, the team has too many good prospects and not enough positions to play them all at. The Yankees have Gleyber Torres scratching at the door of the Major Leagues presumably at third base leaving their next best third baseman to potentially learn a new position. Miguel Andujar, once thought to be the future in the Bronx at the hot corner, was seen last Friday taking reps at first base before his game with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders.

The Yankees have the third-worst production at first base this season and Andujar may be the Yankees answer to the potential problem rather than acquiring someone outside the organization. With prospects you have to make the organization see you and you have to force the organization’s hands by producing and Andujar has done just that as he crushed the ball in Double-A.

Let’s be real, the long term plan for Andujar can’t be first base. His arm and defense is just too strong and too good (eventually anyway since he does lack true consistency in the field) to be wasted at first base. I truly think Andujar would be traded before he was moved to first base full time. Part time first base? Maybe, especially given the Yankees dire needs this season. I guess we will all just have to stay tuned.

So it Seems Matt Marsh is Suspended for 50 Games

The New York Yankees learned this week that one of their own would be suspended for 50 games under baseball’s minor league drug program. The Yankees right-hander Matt Marsh along with Minnesota Twins left-hander Cam Booser were both handed 50-game suspensions after both tested positive for a second time when taking a drug test.

Marsh, 25-years old, was 2-2 with a 3.68 ERA in 10 relief appearances at the time of the suspension while in Double-A with the Trenton Thunder. Marsh was recently called up from High-A with the Tampa Yankees where the righty posted a 1-0 record with seven shutout innings.

The suspensions of Marsh and Booser are the 42^nd and 43^rd this season under the minor league drug program while just two suspensions have happened at the big league level. Drugs are bad but you, my dear, are my favorite addiction. Have a great day everyone. Hey you. 

Chase Headley May Breath A Little Easier, But...

With Gleyber Torres getting Tommy John surgery Chase Headley may be breathing a little bit easier, as it was being said by a number of people that the Yankees were likely to call up their top prospect sooner or later this season to take over third base.

"No, don't cry little buddy. Things can still work out this season."

In terms of fWAR, Headley is ranked 8th among AL third basemen. By the way, two of the guys behind him have hit 11 and 17 home runs to Chase's 4 (Todd Frazier and Ryon Healy), and another guy (Yunel Escobar) is ahead of Chase in batting average and slugging percentage (only .003 points behind in on-base percentage). So it's easy to see why the Yankees would want to at least try an upgrade.

But that doesn't mean that we, as Yanks fans, have to settle for Headley for the rest of the season. Because of the team's depth on the farm, there's another possible upgrade now sitting in Scranton... Miguel Andujar.

I know that I don't have to tell you guys about Andujar, but allow me to point out a few things...

1. Andujar is almost two years older than Torres.
2. Torres may have more time in AAA with 23 games, but Andujar played 107 more games at AA.
3. In 32 games at AA Trenton Gleyber batted .273/.367/.496, while Miguel was batting .312/.342/.494 in 67 games in Trenton this season.

Therefore, as long as Chase Headley keeps being Chase Headley on offense and defense (he's also ranked 10th in UZR/150 among AL third basemen), and Miguel Andujar looks good in AAA, I could see Andujar taking over third base for the Yankees by August.