Yankees to give Refsnyder chance at starting second base job in spring training

Rob Refsnyder's chances at the Yankees' starting second base job certainly didn't look too great after the club re-signed Stephen Drew to a one-year/$5-million deal last month, but that doesn't mean they're not still there. 

Refsnyder will still get the opportunity to win the role at spring training, general manager Brian Cashman said Friday.

According to Cashman, Refsnyder isn't the Yankees' top choice for the position yet, but will be given time to develop his defensive skills during camp. Refsnyder, 23, is a converted outfielder struggling to adjust to the infield -- something clearly shown by the recurring issues he had with his glove last season. 

"We're going to see that develop in spring training," Cashman told WFAN radio. 

Refsnyder batted .318/.387/.497 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI in 137 games last year at Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but wasn't nearly as good on the other side of the ball. His fielding percentage at the two levels was just .977, and he committed 12 errors. 

Refsnyder will still be considered by the team, though, if Cashman and the Yankees notice improvement. 

"The bottom line is, he'll go into camp, and he'll compete, and he'll have a chance to potentially earn a spot on the roster," Cashman said.

Refsnyder is currently viewed as one of the Yankees' top prospects, and was often talked about by New York's fanbase last season when Brian Roberts was in the midst of his slump. Indeed, many wanted to see Refsnyder brought up to replace the weak-hitting Roberts, a plan Cashman didn't support at the time.

Now, however, the GM seems to be thinking differently. 

"He has a chance to be a regular offensive second baseman," Cashman, referring to Refsnyder, said. 

2015 New York Yankees Minor League Free Agents

When a minor league player spends seven seasons in a major league farm system they must be added to the 40 man roster or they become minor league free agents. None of these players were added before the deadline of January, 15 2015 and were not added to the 40 man roster, like Jose Pirela was this past September, so they became minor league free agents. Here is the list as a reminder as we inch closer and closer to Spring Training 2015:

LHP Jeremy Bleich (27)
SS Ali Castillo (25)
LHP/RHP Pat Venditte (29)
C Kyle Higashioka *signed back* (24)
RHP Joel De La Cruz (25)

Pulaski Yankees Release Logos/Uniforms

Just released by the @pulaskiyanks. Here is the logo's along with the uniform design. @PinstripedPros @RPimpsner pic.twitter.com/564HfR4pYF
— JW Gravley (@JGravley_PP) February 6, 2015

The newest affiliate of the New York Yankees, the Pulaski Yankees, have finally released their logo and their uniforms for their inaugural 2015 season. Enjoy the tweet above as we wait for the minor league affiliate to open up later this year. #ProspectsMonth.

Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 Prospects List: #21

Prospects Month is in full swing and we're already up to our 22nd best prospect in the farm system, Slade Heathcott.

Here is the write up from Kyle McDaniel on Heathcott:

Slade Heathcott, CF Video: Heathcott has been on these lists for awhile and seems to move up or down 5-10 spots every year, as he shows flashes of breaking out, then gets injured or doesn’t perform as well.   He was a huge makeup question out of high school (which you can Google for details) when he signed for $2.2 million in the first round. He’s now married and has settled down a lot, but he’s having trouble getting over nagging leg injuries, with the most recent being a knee problem that kept him out most of 2014. When he’s right, Heathcott is a 65 runner with an above average arm and at least 50 raw power from the left side, so you can see why that’s exciting if he’s hitting and healthy, though his plate discipline has always been just okay.

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22. Nick Rumbelow
23. Jose Ramirez
24. Ramon Flores
25. Gosuke Katoh
26. Chasen Shreve
27. Taylor Dugas

28. Johnny Barbato

Meet A Prospect: Dellin Betances

Dellin Betances was born on March 23, 1988 in Washington Heights, Manhattan in New York. Dellin was born to parents Jamie and Maria Betances after they emigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic. Jamie was a boxer and drives for a car service to support Dellin and his two older brothers and younger sister. The Betances family moved to the Lower East Side of Manhattan when Dell was ten years old where Dellin attended many Yankees games with his family. One of those games he witnessed firsthand at age 10 was David Wells perfect game in 1998 while sitting with the Bleacher Creatures. This, according to Dellin, was the reason that the 6’ 9” right hander chose baseball over basketball and forces him to play summer baseball in the Youth Service League. Betances spent his High School years at Grand Street Campus School in Brooklyn, New York and could throw an 85 MPH fastball as a freshmen. By his Junior year in 2005 Betances was up to 90 MPH on the fastball while towering over his competition at 6’ 4” on his way to being named an Aflac All-American, the first player from New York City to receive the honor. Betances also played for the Team USA Junior National Team that season. By 2006 Betances was  6’ 9” and was rated as the tenth best High School prospect in all the land by SchoolSports.com.

Betances went into the 2006 MLB First Year Players Draft expecting to be chosen in the first round even though he was committed to Vanderbilt University on a full baseball scholarship. His commitment to the Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team as well as him coming out and asking for a high signing bonus made him fall in the draft and fall fast. The New York Yankees finally took a shot on the local kid in the eighth round of the draft giving him a $1 million signing bonus snatching him away from College Baseball. Dellin used that money to buy his family a house in  Teaneck, New Jersey as a thank you for all that they did. Great kid with a great makeup, local kid, seems destined to be a great Yankee, no?

Betances spent his 2007 season with the Staten Island Yankees in the New York Penn League as the Yankees third best prospect and made it all the way to Low A with the Charleston Riverdogs by the 2008 season began. Another year and another promotion for Dellin in 2009 as the Yankees fifth best prospect according to Baseball America went up to High A with the Tampa Yankees, although struggling with a 2-5 record and a 5.48 ERA in 11 starts before suffering an elbow injury in early June of that season. Betances had surgery late in 2009 which was a ligament reinforcement procedure and not the dreaded Tommy John surgery that so many power pitchers have to receive. Betances began the 2010 back in Tampa but quickly received a midseason promotion to the AA affiliate the Trenton Thunder pitching so well the Yankees added Dellin to the 40 man roster after the season. Another season another promotion for Dellin as he started the 2011 in AAA with the Scranton Wilkes Barre team. Betances was called up to the majors for the first time that season on September 8, 2011.

Betances had a pitching sessions in the street in front of his Teaneck, New Jersey home with his brother before joining up with the Yankees in Anaheim to face the Angels. Betances and fellow prospect and “Killer B” Andrew Brackman both made their Major League debuts on September 22, 2011 and Betances only saw one other appearance for the Yankees that season. Betances was sent back down to AAA for the 2012 season and after struggling in the rotation the Yankees moved Betances to the bullpen on May 10, 2013. Betances was brought up to the majors when Ivan Nova went down last season with an injury but was used very little and sent back down when Nova came off the disabled list in May. Betances pitched to a 1.46 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 49.1 IP as a reliever in AAA and was recalled back to New York on August 11, 2013. Betances spent four days with the big league club before being sent back down on August 15 and brought back as a September call up on September 1^st. Betances was seldom used for whatever reason and spent most of September sitting on the bench rather than gaining valuable experience. Most of that may have been the fact the Yankees were in a dog fight for the second Wild Card.

Dellin absolutely went off during the 2014 season setting the strikeout record for a Yankees reliever in a single season, passing Mariano Rivera, and may have had the torch passed to him from David Robertson as the closer in 2015. 

Looking at the 2015 Draft: 21st Best Prospect

Continuing our look at the 2015 MLB First Year Players Draft we take a look at the #21 ranked prospect expected to enter the draft. As always we will include the mini scouting report from MLB.com as we introduce the #21 prospect, Riley Ferrell. Ferrell is a RHP and Junior from TCU.

Here is the write up from MLB.com:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 65 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

TCU produced the first player from the 2014 Draft to reach the big leagues -- Brandon Finnegan, who became the first player ever to appear in the College World Series and the World Series in the same year -- and could do the same again in 2015. Ferrell projects to go about where Finnegan did, 17th overall, and could rush to the Majors if his pro team uses him as a reliever.

Ferrell put up crazy numbers in that role as a sophomore, posting a 0.79 ERA with a school-record 15 saves, a .132 opponent average and 70 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. He devastated opponents with a 94-96 mph fastball that reached 98 and a mid-80s slider.

The Horned Frogs plan on using Ferrell as a starter in 2015, a role change that could enhance his Draft status if he pulls it off. It remains to be seen if he can, because he lacks size and a smooth delivery. He'll also have to develop a changeup, which he didn't need as a closer, and improve his command.

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23. James Kaprielian
24. Jake Lemoine
25. Beau Burrows
26. Richie Martin
27. Kyle Tucker
28. D.J. Stewart

Tanaka & Betances Baseball America's All Rookie Team

Baseball America has been naming their Top 20 prospects from each of the minor league league's this offseason and this weekend announced their All Rookie squad. Two members of the New York Yankees made the cut as Masahiro Tanaka was named as one of the five starting pitchers and Dellin Betances was named as the only relief pitcher on the team.

Here is the write up for Tanaka:

“The Yankees’ $155 million import pitched like a Cy Young Award winner in the first half, going 11-3, 2.10 and leading the AL in wins and ERA, but an elbow injury scuttled his second half and leaves his 2015 season in doubt after a pair of lackluster September starts … he proved he can pitch like an ace, health permitting, in both Japan and the U.S."

This Day In New York Yankees History 2/8: Johnny Damon Stops Being an Idiot

On this day in 2006 Johnny Damon stopped being an idiot and signed a free agent deal with the New York Yankees, leaving the Boston Red Sox. Johnny took out a full page ad in the Boston Globe thanking the fans for their support and their loyalty.

Thunder Announce First Round of Promotions for 2015 Season

Press Release:

2015 promises to be a fun-filled summer at ARM & HAMMER Park and your Thunder are proud to announce many of the great giveaways and promotions that fans will enjoy this season.

26 fireworks shows, 26 entrance giveaways, and much more highlight the first round of promotions announced by the Thunder today.

Spring Baseball starts on Opening Night when the first 2,500 fans, ages 18 and older, will receive Opening Night Welcome Mats presented by ARM & HAMMER. The opening homestand, April 16-22, will also feature two magnetic schedule giveaways (Friday, April 17 and Monday, April 20) presented by MCIA, Kids Replica Brett Gardner Jerseys presented by TD Bank (Sunday, April 19), fireworks on Saturday, April 18 and our first Education Day at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 22.

The Thunder help kick off the summer with Family Fun Weekend from Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3. Fans can purchase four tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns and four sodas for just $48 for any of the three games during Family Fun Weekend when individual game tickets go on sale on March 14. The Kids Zone will also be completely free for all kids ages 12 and under. Sunday, May 3rd the first 1,000 fans, ages 5-15, will receive Boomer Mini Bats to help celebrate Boomer's birthday. When the Thunder host Erie on Tuesday, May 5th, the first 1,000 fans ages 18 and older will receive Thunder sombreros in celebration of Cinco De Mayo.

Baseball card fans will get their chance to receive Thunder Team Card Sets on Friday, May 15, courtesy of Verizon Wireless. The first 1,500 fans ages 6 and over through the gate will get the 2015 commemorative card set.

Sundays at ARM & HAMMER Park will provide additional opportunities for kids to take home Thunder giveaways. Kids T-shirts (May 17), Drawstring Bags (May 31) and Batting Helmets, presented by St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center (June 7) will be given away to the first 1,000 fans through the gate; ages 5-15.  Also returning for the 2015 season is Kids Run the Bases presented by TD Bank following every Sunday 1pm and 5pm game.

Bobbleheads remain popular with Thunder fans as collectables that honor outstanding players that dressed in a Thunder uniform. The first bobblehead giveaway will take place on Friday, July 24 when fans will receive a CC Sabathia bobblehead, presented by TD Bank. On Wednesday, August 5, Thunder fans will have their second opportunity of the season to receive a special bobblehead doll when fans will receive Dellin Betances bobbleheads, presented by Hyundai. The Thunder will also distribute a bobblehead (player TBD) on Friday, September 4, presented by Verizon Wireless. All bobblehead giveaways are for the first 2,000 fans, ages 14 and older.

Your Thunder are a proud affiliate of the New York Yankees and fans will have a great chance to catch up on former Thunder players when the first 1,000 fans ages 6 and over through the gate on Tuesday, June 30 will take home the latest edition of Yankees Magazine.

July 10-12 is Beach Weekend at ARM & HAMMER Park and the Thunder will help you enjoy the great weather by giving the first 2,000 fans, ages 6 and older, Thunder sunglasses on Friday, July 10. On Saturday, July 11 the first 1,000 fans, ages 18 and older will receive Cooler Bags and on Sunday, July 12 the first 1,000 fans ages 18 and older will receive Beach Towels, presented by ARM & HAMMER. Sunday, July 12 will also be a special day for kids, as the Thunder will give all fans ages 12 and under free ice cream!

The Thunder announced many of their 2015 theme nights including Star Wars Night (May the Fourth [Be With You]), Medical Professionals Night (May 14), Armed Forces Night (May 16), Girl Scout Night (May 19), Breast Cancer Awareness, featuring special pink jerseys that will be auctioned for charity and a pink hat giveaway to the first 1,500 women ages 18 and older, presented by RAI, (June 5), Irish Heritage Night (July 23), Scout Sleepovers (July 10 and July 24), Faith & Family Nights (June 6 and July 25), CrossFit Night (July 28), Visit Princeton Night presented by the Princeton Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau (August 15), Jewish Heritage Night (August 25) and Football Kickoff Night (September 2).

On Monday, July 27, the first 2,000 fans ages 6 and over will take home special Thunder Posters courtesy of White Eagle Printing when the Thunder host the Portland Sea Dogs.

Football Kickoff Night will give the first 1,000 fans, ages six and up, deflated footballs and encourage all fans to wear their favorite football jerseys to the game.

Friday, August 21 will give the first 1,500 kids ages 5-15 special Clocks in a Can, presented by NJEA, when the Thunder host the Richmond Flying Squirrels. "It's a clock that is in a can," Thunder GM Will Smith explained. "I've never seen anything like it."

2015 will also mark a landmark season with six nights of free food. All fans will get free hot dogs on April 18, April 19 and September 7. All fans will get free ice cream on June 10 and August 31. Kids, 12 and under, will get free ice cream on July 12 as part of our Beach Weekend.

The Thunder invite all dog lovers to bring their canines with them to the game twice in 2015. The first will be held on Wednesday, July 1 as part of our Batdog Celebration. Fans will have a second opportunity to bring their four-legged friends to the ballpark on Sunday, August 16 for Bark in the Park, presented by Dogs & Cats Rule, for a special 5:00 pm start.

The 2015 season will give fans great giveaway options when the Reading Fightin Phils come to town. When Reading visits ARM & HAMMER Park on Tuesday, June 16 the first 1,000 fans ages 14 and over will receive team socks. The first 1,000 fans ages 18 and over through the gate on Wednesday, June 17 will receive reversible bucket hats. The Fightin Phils return to ARM & HAMMER Park in early August and on Tuesday, August 4, the first 1,000 fans ages 6 and older will get special Handclappers.

Super Value Tuesdays are back for another season with every Tuesday night game featuring Kids Eat Free & $1 Dogs thanks to Black Bear Franks. Thirsty Thursdays will return on Thursday nights and fans can enjoy a great $2 beer special until the middle of the 5th inning.

All giveaways, promotions and event dates are subject to change.

Your Thunder, the Double-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees, will begin the 2015 season on April 9 in Erie against the Seawolves.  The first home game at ARM & HAMMER Park is on Thursday, April 16.  Season tickets, group outings, Pic-A-Plans, and Mini Plans are on sale now.  Single game tickets will go on sale on Saturday, March 14.  For more information about tickets, fans should call 609-394-3300 or visit trentonthunder.com.

Major League Baseball Considering Ending the Draft?

Yoan Moncada and his expected signing bonus is going to really shake up MLB’s International Free Agent spending limits and caps and may force the hand of MLB into an International Draft, eventually. This got Dave Cameron of Fangraphs.com thinking and he thinks he has come up with an idea to completely eliminate the MLB First Year Player’s Draft while enforcing firm and strict spending limits for each team. The amount the team has to spend would directly correlate with how much the team spends on payroll the year before so the more money you spend on payroll the less you can spend on the IFA market.

That works inside a bubble I guess until you have teams like the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies spending big and losing a lot in 2014 not getting the chance to achieve the “competitive balance” the draft is supposed to ensure. Obviously there are two sides to that story and the other side being, as we saw this offseason, that Boston is likely right back into the thick of things after shelling out major cash to free agents and in trades and not because of their farm system or international signings.

Anyway here is an excerpt from Cameron’s idea over at Fox Sports. Tell me what you think in the comments section of the site. Personally I think this is a little too progressive and far too far-fetched but what do I know, I just own a blog.

In his conversation with Ken Rosenthal last week, Commissioner Rob Manfred publicly supported such an idea, stating that his “long haul goal” would be “to get to an international draft.” With the big-money clubs blowing up the league’s system for signing young international free agents, an overhaul of the process is inevitable. But while the draft has become the de facto method for sports leagues to distribute incoming young talent — under the guise of competitive balance, but with the primary goal of holding down acquisition costs — I’d like to suggest that Major League Baseball go the other direction instead.

The logistics of incorporating international players into a draft are problematic, which is why baseball settled on its current recommended bonus system instead. And there is merit to the structure that the league created; if you have various spending allocations in place, you don’t actually need to go through the process of draft positions. The best players want the most money, so by simply creating a system where some teams have more money to spend than others, you can funnel incoming talent to certain types of teams even without handing out specific draft positions….

So what if there was no draft? Instead, what if we just lumped all new players — foreign or domestic — into a single acquisition system where each player was free to sigh with the team of his choice, only with firm spending caps in place to ensure that young talent flows more freely to clubs that can’t compete on major-league payroll alone? In other words, a team’s talent acquisition budget would be inversely tied to its major-league payroll; the more you spend on big leaguers, the less you get to spend on prospects, and vice versa.