Prospects Month: Top 28 Yankees Prospects List #10

Continuing our look at The Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 prospects list as a part of Prospects Month we name our #10 prospect, Manny Banuelos!

Here is the complete up to date list. Check back every day as the list fills out and we continue our look at the prospects in the New York Yankees system during Prospects Month here on TGP.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Manny Banuelos
11. Jose Campos
12. Gosuke Katoh
13. Shane Greene
14. Jose Ramirez
15. Peter O'Brien
16. Aaron Judge
17. Ty Hensley
18. Luis Severino
19. Abiatal Avelino
20. Rob Refsnyder
21. Nik Turley
22. Cito Culver
23. Ramon Flores
24. Mark Montgomery
25. Rookie Davis
26. Jake Cave
27. Ben Gamel
28. Angelo Gumbs

Exclusive Interview w/ SI Yankees David Palladino

For the first time we bring you an interview with Yankees prospect and recently drafted David Palladino. David was taken in the fifth round of the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft and is currently a member of the Staten Island Yankees. We hope that you enjoy the interview as much as I enjoyed doing it, so get to reading and enjoy!

The Greedy Pinstripes: David Palladino, how are you today sir? How is your offseason going?

David Palladino: I’m great thanks for asking. My offseason has been great, I love working and training to become a better player at the game I love so much. What about yourself?

TGP: We have had an awesome year and an even more awesome offseason, you're the first to ask so we thank you for that. 

TGP:  How important is your family to you in your life and especially in your career?

DP: My family is everything to me. I have two brothers as well and it’s great that we are so close that we practically do everything together. My parents are my biggest supporters, they have been through everything with me and I couldn’t ask for a better family to be a part of. In my career my family is behind my back 100% and are very honest with me with I am not playing up to my ability. They push me to become the best ballplayer I can be but also become the best man I can become.

TGP: How do you think your faith has helped you in your career?

DP: Faith is everything. Everything I do is because of God. I have a cross that was given to me from my family, and it never leaves my neck, if I don’t have it on, I don’t feel right. I bring it everywhere I go.  I truly believe that God has a plan for me and whatever it is I would like to work to become the best I can be at whatever he has in stored for my future. Most importantly, faith has helped me out so much because all the tough times I had growing up from baseball and in school. I would always say, “Its okay, I will get stronger from this.” I had many injuries which doctors didn’t think I would play again and I had to overcome these injuries to be where I am today.  Before each time I step onto the mound, I say a prayer and when things are tough I say the same prayer, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”

TGP:  What's your best memory attending Howard College? Do you miss the whole college experience sometimes?

DP: My best memory of Howard college was towards the end of the year, when we were in Fort worth, Texas. We were in the tournament to get to Grand Junction, we lost but I felt that we all became so close those last few games, that is was unbelievable how we played. Everyone left it out there on the field, none of us have regrets. That is what the game is all about, and I will never forget that. I do miss college sometimes because of the school work and everything that goes about it. At the same time, playing professional baseball was everything I always dreamed of coming from a small town.

TGP: Have you ever considered going back and coaching? Maybe mentoring? Either in the offseason or after baseball?

DP: I actually want to open my own place one day, because I think it would be great teaching the younger players everything I have learned from my experiences. I would want to run teams through it and have all of the strength and conditioning trainers the players would need, so they could reach their full potential as I am working to do. Also currently with this being my first offseason, after all the training and throwing, I have been helping around running some camps and lessons, and I couldn’t be happier.

TGP:  What teams and sports did you root for and watch growing up?

DP: I am a big sports fan. I was always a Devils fan for hockey, Barcelona fan for Soccer, Yankees fan for baseball, Giants fan for football, Knicks fan for basketball.

TGP: As a recent draft pick I would love to hear about your thoughts on the new draft rules, the slots, allocated money, and all that? Does it help or hurt the game and the players in your opinion?

DP: I really don’t have much to say on the draft rules. I love playing the game to much to worry about the money amount playing. I received an opportunity to be a part of what I think is the greatest organization of Major League Baseball, and wearing that jersey is an honor. I am just looking forward to work hard and play in Yankee stadium one day.

TGP: Do you have a girlfriend/wife waiting for you at home while you are on the road so much?

DP: I do have a girlfriend. She’s a great girl and is very passionate in what she loves to do and has many goals for herself which I would help push her towards, at the same time her family and she understand what it takes for me to be where I want to be and support me. I’ve known her for years which is great because we were always great friends. It makes it a lot easier when being away doesn’t cause fights because were both working hard to reach our own goals but at the same time pushing each other.

TGP: What are you doing this offseason to improve on your 2013 season?

DP: I am doing palates once a week, Yoga two times a week, Strength and conditioning five times a week, throwing bullpens, lots of pfp work and long toss. Also been reading some books to help with the mental side of baseball and pitching.

TGP: What do you do during the offseason to keep yourself occupied?

DP: I am always on my feet, I love doing outdoor activities such as paintball, golf, basketball(Only HORSE though so I don’t roll an ankle), etc.. Also since we have a lot of snow,  I like doing manual labor which would involve snow plowing, and shoveling. Besides all that I love to work on things to get better and that’s why I put so much time into working out and doing different types of training to become a better athlete and ball player.

TGP: Favorite restaurant to eat at?

DP: Sushi

TGP: What current Major League player do you think you compare to the most?

DP: I have always said to myself one day I want to be able to pitch like Roger Clemens, He was my idle growing up. But current major leaguer I would have to say Felix Hernandez.

TGP: Do you have a plan yet for after baseball? Or maybe even a Plan B?

DP: In life you always have to have a Plan B, and I do for sure. I would want to open that baseball place as I explained earlier but also go back and finish my degree. I want to get a minor in business and go to law school and become a lawyer.

TGP: Do you have anything embarrassing that most people would not know about you that you wouldn't mind sharing?

DP: I am a New Jersey guy but loves country music.

TGP: Most embarrassing song in your iPod?

DP: Taylor Swift- We are never getting back together.

TGP: We'll finish with this one, where do you see yourself in life and your career in five years?

DP: I see myself in five years, pitching in Yankee Stadium.

Thank you once again David for taking the time to do this for us, it is truly appreciated. We wish for nothing but the best for you this coming season and in everything you do outside of the baseball field. You can follow David on Twitter by following @dpall2. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 2/19

On this day in 1935 the New York Yankees signed Lou Gehrig to a one year deal worth $30,000. The season before the All Star first basemen hit .363 with 49 home runs and led the American League with 165 RBI's. Underpaid much?

Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 2/18/14

The Yankees were back down at the minor league complex for Spring Training today and here are a few news and notes for you to get you caught back up:

Ivan Nova and Bruce Billings threw live batting practice early this morning to hitters in Tampa today. Nova faced Gary Sanchez and Billings pitched to Peter O'Brien. The Yankees four starters all threw side bullpen sessions today including Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, and Hiroki Kuroda.

Brendan Ryan is expecting a lot of boos this season when he comes in to replace the retiring Derek Jeter. At least they aren't booing you because you suck Brendan, always look on the bright side.

Chad Jennings asked a Yankees talent evaluator about some of the talent he has seen thus far and Chris Leroux of all people is getting rave reviews. His fastball has shown "impressive life" and is drawing comparisons to AJ Burnett without as much velocity. With AJ being my favorite pitcher of all time you know I like these comparisons and just became an immediate Leroux fan.

Another thanks to Chad Jennings for the pitchers side session list which also includes a video of Masahiro Tanak throwing his bullpen session next to Hiroki Kuroda:

 Today’s sides:
CC Sabathia (to Austin Romine)
Masahiro Tanaka (to John Ryan Murphy)
Hiroki Kuroda (to Brian McCann)
David Herndon (to Francisco Cervelli)

· Among the listed guest instructors for this year: Willie Randolph, David Wells, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, Reggie Jackson, Ron Guidry, Goose Gossage

The Greedy Pinstripes Are Now A Member Of The IBWAA

We are proud to say that we are now a lifetime member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America, more commonly known as the IBWAA. Rather than me trying to tell you what the IBWAA is and how it will help the site for you guys, the readers, I will just let the owner and founder Howard Cole himself tell you what it's all about.

The Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) was created July 4, 2009 to organize and promote the growing online baseball media, and to serve as a digital alternative to the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA).

The IBWAA seeks neither to replace nor disparage the BBWAA, but does offer distinctions. While the BBWAA requires ten years and hundreds of dollars of paid membership for writers to earn a Hall of Fame vote, the IBWAA has no waiting period, with a $10 annual membership fee ($20 lifetime).

In the vast majority of cases, the BBWAA requires the tying of a writer’s online work to a print publication for admission; the IBWAA does not. The IBWAA believes that the hoops an applying writer has to jump through to join the older organization are too many and too narrow, and welcomes all Internet baseball writers. Those with his or her own baseball website of any kind or scope are invited to join, as are those who contribute the written word anywhere within the baseball blogosphere.

The IBWAA votes for Cooperstown in December, and during September of each championship season holds elections for the Most Valuable Player, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year Awards. In 2010, the IBWAA began voting in its own relief pitcher category, establishing the Rollie Fingers American League Relief Pitcher of the Year and the Hoyt Wilhelm National League Relief Pitcher of the Year Awards.

The IBWAA endeavors to be nimble and inclusive, and encourages members to participate as much or as little as they like. All suggestions are welcome always. Group discounts and scholarships are available.

You can read more about the IBWAA by heading to ibwaa.com, following them on Twitter by following @ibwaa, and you can also join yourself at the website. This may add very little to nothing to the site right away but this is just a stepping stone for us to bring you more and better content each and every day.

Meet A Prospect: Zoilo Almonte

Zoilo Almonte was born on June 10th, 1989 in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic. Zoilo has been in the Yankees system since 2007 when he signed as an International Free Agent at age 16. He has consistently flown under the radar for the Yankees in their system being overshadowed by a deep outfield class but had a coming out party in the 2011 season, his age 22 season. In that 2011 season Zoilo put up a triple slash of .298/.373/.522 and has instantly put himself on the Yankees radar as far as potential bench players and mid season call ups as soon as this season. 

Almonte is considered to have a plus arm with a very athletic build at 6'0" and 200 lbs and has been called a great defender. He is also a switch hitter who has shown great plate discipline for such a young player and is considered to be mature beyond his time when it comes to his baseball skilss. He has great BB% and power numbers in his career despite his smallish frame. This will be Zoilo's third season on the 40 man roster and under Rule 5 Draft protection and will start the season in Scranton after taking the Bronx by storm for about a month in 2013.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #41 Bobby Richardson

Bobby Richardson was a double play maestro for the New York Yankees. Richardson spent his entire 12 season career in pinstripes from 1955-1966 and took home the American League Gold Glove Award at second base every season from 1961-1965. In 1962 Richardson had an AL best 209 hits finished second in the AL Most Valuable Player voting.

41 days until Yankees Opening Day

Prospects Month: Top 28 Yankees Prospects List #11

Continuing our look at The Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 prospects list as a part of Prospects Month we name our #11 prospect, Jose Campos!

Here is the complete up to date list. Check back every day as the list fills out and we continue our look at the prospects in the New York Yankees system during Prospects Month here on TGP.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. Jose Campos
12. Gosuke Katoh
13. Shane Greene
14. Jose Ramirez
15. Peter O'Brien
16. Aaron Judge
17. Ty Hensley
18. Luis Severino
19. Abiatal Avelino
20. Rob Refsnyder
21. Nik Turley
22. Cito Culver
23. Ramon Flores
24. Mark Montgomery
25. Rookie Davis
26. Jake Cave
27. Ben Gamel
28. Angelo Gumbs

Exclusive Interview With Yankees Jordan Barnes

We are very excited to bring you another interview today as a part of Prospects Month, this time with Jordan Barnes. This is the second time we have been able to interview Mr. Barnes, my wife's favorite player since Barnes is her maiden name, and are excited to catch back up with him. Enjoy!

The Greedy Pinstripes:  Kudos for being so open about your faith, how do you think that has helped you in your life and your career?

Jordan Barnes: I believe my open faith has had a tremendous amount to do with why I have been so successful in life and my career. I put God first in everything that I do and I give him glory for everything that he has blessed me with.

TGP: What are you listening to these days?

JB: I listen to a lot of Rap and Hip Hop music.

TGP: Thoughts on the Yankees losing Robinson Cano?

JB: I think it was a tough decision because he is such a talented player but it is all a part of the business. We have many talented guys in our organization that can step into his place.

TGP: What are you doing this offseason to improve on your 2013 season?

JB: I train heavily. I Workout 7 days a week most of the time twice daily. A lot of weight training , speed training, defensive work and hitting.

TGP: What do you do during the offseason to keep yourself occupied?

JB: Training & spending time with my friends and family and spending time with my girl.

TGP: I see you like Lone Survivor, that movie is freaking intense no? Kind of makes me never want to go to war. Great movie though. 

JB: Yeah I’ve watched it about 10 times. It was a great movie.

TGP: Favorite restaurant to eat at?

JB: Cheesecake Factory

 

TGP: How tough is it to be on the road so much and know your girlfriend is at home waiting for you?

JB: It isn’t too bad. She understands the game and is a huge supporter of me and my career and she knows that baseball comes first and that’s my main focus when I’m away playing.

TGP:  Your girl can cook, what time is dinner?

JB: It's usually around 7 but Yes she is a great cook. She lives up to her last name quite well. I have it pretty good.

TGP: Is that old woman with the wrong number looking for her daughter still calling you all the time? lol

JB: haha she occasionally does it .

TGP: Your a Yankees guy and a speed guy, I assume your a fan of the "speed kills" mentality that the Yankees are likely to throw out there with Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury in the outfield?

JB: Yes that’s the mentality that I play with. You cant teach speed.

TGP: I think this answer may be obvious but in my time around social media I have noticed there are two kinds of fans when it comes to prospects. You have the "prospect humpers" (myself being a self professed prospect humper) and a name yet to be determined (due to my lack of creativity) describing those who want to sell all the prospects off for the 37 year old "sure thing." Which category do you think yourself as a fan falls into?

JB: The second one

TGP: What current Major League player do you think you compare to the most?

JB: Torii Hunter

TGP: I know you probably don't think of things like this but how long before you think we could see you in the Major Leagues? I have your ETA down as late 2017, is that accurate?

JB: I’ll say around 2017-2018.

TGP: If you could be the Yankees GM for a day what would you do? Don't have to really be realistic here.

JB: Have Ken Griffey Jr. make a comeback and play for the Yankees. 

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?

JB: Bill Selby my former Northwest Mississippi Community College Coach he hit a walk off grand slam off of the greatest of all time Mariano Rivera when he was playing with the Indians.

TGP: Most embarrassing song in your iPod?

JB: Without a doubt beauty and a beat by Justin Bieber.

TGP: We'll finish with this one, where do you see yourself in life and your career in five years?

JB: Playing in front of thousands in Yankee Stadium.

Thank you Jordan for taking the time once again for us to do an interview, we really appreciate it. We hope you have a great season and can't wait to see you moving through this system. You can follow Jordan on Twitter by following @J_Barnes213. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 2/18

On this day in 1999 the Toronto Blue Jays traded pitcher Roger Clemens to the New York Yankees for David Wells, Graeme Lloyd, and Homer Bush. The rest is history, no pun intended.