Laura's Updated Top 25 Farmers Post Trade

#1 - Ian Kennedy - RHP

#2 - Brett Gardner - CF

#3 - J.B. Cox - SU

#4 - Mark Melancon - Closer (Moved Up)

#5 - Alan Horne - RHP

#6 - Chase Wright - JHP

#7 - Francisco Cervelli - C

#8 - Austin Jackson - CF

#9 - Carmen Angelini - SS

#10 - Addison Maruszak

#11 - Jesus Montero C

#12 - Dellin Betances RHP

#13 - Ryan Pope RHP

#14- Eric Duncan - 1B (Down from #9)

#15 - Jeffrey Marquez RHP

#16 - Chris Malec 3rd Base

#17 - Justin Sndyer 2nd Base

#18 - Mitch Hilligoss - Utility/SS/3rd Base

#19 - Juan Miranda 1st Base/DH

#20 - Phil Coke RHP

#21 - Michael Dunn LHP

#22 - Steve White RHP

#23 - Pat Venditte LHP/RHP

#24 - Austin Romine C

#25 - Bradley Suttle 3rd Base

Trading the farm for more overrated talent?

It has come to my attention that the Yankees may be in trade talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates. It all goes downhill from there. Apparently the Yankees will recieve Jason Bay (can we say overrated?) and Xavier Nady (let's be honest here, a show of hands of those who have heard of him before). The pirates will receive RHP Ian Kennedy, CF Austin Jackson, and RF Jose Tabata. Yeah it gave me heartburn too. I am still a believer in Ian Kennedy, yes we can live without him for some OF help, but are you really ready to send Kennedy along with our best MiLB OF prospects? I know Tabata has attitude issues, but let's face it, he also has incredible talent. His numbers are down, but please, he is 19. And Jackson...ok I can't even begin to justify this. You are sending 3 legit guys all under 24 years old for Jason Bay, LF, is 30 years old and Nady, RF, is 30 years old as well. You are receiving a combined 60 years with 2 players and losing less than 50 years old in 3 players. Isn't this current team old enough as it is? And do we really want to be the old Yankees sending our prized farm kids for yesterdays news that is headed for the retirement home? Yes I am bitter, but admit it, once you see these 3 kids become stars in Pittsburgh, you'll be bitter too.

Pinstriped As Always,
Laura

Breaking News: 2008 Draft

It has been announced by Yankee 2nd Round pick closer Scott Bittle (75th overall pick) that he and the Yankees have hit a snag in negotiations. It appears a medical examination of Bittle showed wear and tear on his Right throwing shoulder. Bittle has had multiple doctors look at the shoulder and none of the doctors seems to agree with that doctor. Bittle has said, as well as his college coach, that he wants nothing more than to sign with the Yankees before the deadline, but the problem now is with this examination, the Yankees still want him, but they want him to take a cut in his signing bonus. Bittle does not seem interested in takin such a cut, so it unknown whether this lifeling Yankee fan will don the pinstripes. I don't really get it, Bittle's numbers where absolutley pheonominal and he pitched a heavy load this past college season above par compared to most collegiate closers, so I just don't see how it could be that big of an injury. Also noteworthy, last years 2nd Round pick Austin Romine signed a $500,000 bonus, which is typical for that round. It is believed the Yankees want to go lower than that. My personal opinion is that the Yankees are trying to get the 1st Round Pick, Gerrit Cole, signed and he is asking for $7 mill. Also ahead of Bittle is Sandwhich pick Jeremy Bleich who since drafted higher will likely get more money, I am guessing he will demand somewhere between $1 mill and $750,000. That means the first 2 picks will take up ove $8 million. Plus the Yanks have coveted High Schoolers RHP Brett Marshall (6th Round) and catcher Kyle Higashioka (7th Round). Both of those players are likely asking for around $1 mill. If this all plays out, the Yanks will spend $9 mill on 3 unproven high schoolers and lose 2 proven and can't miss college stars who are asking around a combined $1mill to 1,750,000. So the lesson here is if you go to college and face tougher competition, you won't get signed for $500,000 so a high school kid can get his $7 million.
They have less than a month to (24 days) to sign Bleich and Bittle and they need to get moving.

Pinstriped As Always,
Laura

The 2008 Draft: My Take

Ok, I have been receiving some questions on my take on the Yankees 2008 Draft. I will talk about the top 5 picks and then give my best draft picks, best valued picks, sleeper picks, thats a reach picks, and just bad picks. I also included at the end who I thought would be tough signs.

#1 Pick - Gerrit Cole - RHP HS
Ok, first I must say I love picking kids that were huge Yankees fans growing up and that COle was most likely the best arm in the draft. But I am just not a big fan of this because of 1 reason: I cannot make sense of giving a 17 year old kid who has some issues before he can pitch, which likely won't be for atleast 4 years, a $7 million dollar signing bonus, which his agent, non other than Mr. Scott Boras says will take for Cole to don the pinstripes. I can't see giving Cole more than 2 million and thats even stretching it. First, he's too young at this point to gauge if he is worth that amount. Second, I'd rather invest that money in someone that can help immediatley from the free agency pool, and third Cole has some question marks that just don't garner $7 million dollars.

#2 Pick (Sandwich pick) - Jeremy Bleich - LHP Stanford
I'm not a huge fan of Bleich, or Stanford pitchers for that matter, but I love the pick. A left handed arm that will be able to help us within 2 years, possibily after 1 year. We are desperate for left handed arms and this is a young left handed arm who I am told will not require a huge signing bonus. He pitched in the PAC-10, which is a powerhouse conference and he had pretty good success there, which tells me quite a bit about him. There are some injury related questions, similar to that of a guy you may of heard of...Joba Chamberlain.

#3 Pick - Scott Bittle - RHP Mississippi
I really like the pick of Bittle, a closer at Mississippi, he doesn't have much leverage in money talks as he is done with his eligibility and a huge Yankee fan means we will likely see Bittle in Staten Island before long. Bittle has a pitch that is virtually unhittable that is a combo of 3 pitches that he calls "The Thing".

#4 Pick - David Adams - 2nd Base/SS - Virginia
Already in the farm and making the most of his time in Staten Island. He is not hitting to his abilities, but it is not uncommon for newbies to have some struggles adjusting to the minors. I think this pick had some great value in it, especially since he was an early sign and was able to jump right into the system. Too early for a good prediction - but think 2014.

#5 Pick Corban Joseph - SS - HS
Corban is competing with Angelini to be the heir to Yankee Legend Derek Jeter. Corban was signed rather quickly and unlike Angelini will play a full minor league schedule - Angelini only played in 2 games. I think Angelini is the superior player, but with both of them under 20 it is nice to have such highly regarded players to puch each other. If Corban is not Jeter's heir, he will be some other teams star unless he is moved to 2nd Base or 3rd. All and all a great pick.

Best Draft Picks (In no particular order)
LHP Jeremy Bleich (Sandwich pick)
SS Corban Joseph (4th Round)
C Kyle Higashioka (7th Round)
OF Dan Brewer (8th Round)
RHP Mikey O'Brien (9th Round)
RHP Luke Greinke (12th Round)
SHP Pat Venditte (20th Round)

Best Value Picks
2nd Base/SS David Adams (3rd Round)
SS Corban Joseph (4th Round)
RHP Mikey O'Brien (9th Round)
OF Jack Rye (13th Round)
RHP David Phelps (14th Round)
SS/3rd Base Addison Maruszak (17th Round)
SHP Pat Venditte (20th Round)

Sleeper Picks
RHP Brett Marshall (6th Round)
RHP David Phelps (9th Round)
OF Jack Rye (13th Round)
SS/3rd Addison Maruszak (17th Round)
3rd Base Mike Lyon (24th Round)
C Jeff Nutt (25th Round)
OF Chad Gross (28th Round)

That's a Reach Picks
RHP Gerrit Cole (1st Round) NOTE only because I do not feel is worth $7 million
LHP Jeremy Bleich (Sandwich Round) I love this pick, don't get me wrong, just think we could have made it around the 4th Round and got more value out of the sandwich pick.
OF Ray Kruml (11th Round)
RHP Brandon Braboy (18th Round)


Just Bad Picks
LHP Blake Monar - the kid just isn't going to sign, and if he does, he isn't worth what he will get (26th Round)
OF Michael Jones (30th Round)
All in all, I thought I was a decent draft, Jones was the worst pick in history as he is just playing for summer money, Jones will enter the NFL next year and never wear the pinstripes, why waste the pick and money?

Tough Signs
Gerrit Cole
Kyle Higashioka
Brett Marshall
Blake Monar


Pinstriped As Always.
Laura

Top 25 Prospects

So, Laura has convinced me to do a Top 25 Prospects blog of my own. Ok, it didn’t really take much to convince me, but still, she gets the credit. For this blog I’ve decided to just name my Top 25 Prospects and I’ll dedicate an entire blog to each of the top 10 guys in the upcoming days.

I usually like to keep this type of sheer self promotion out of my blogs on this site, but I’ve got to let you all in on a little something. This Monday at 9pm EST Former Commissioner of Major League Baseball will be joining Me and Bernadette on A Show of Their Own. We’ll be asking him some great questions all baseball fans what to know. So check it out, our link is on the side and bottom of this blog.


Ok, here are my TOP 25 Prospects….

1. Pat Venditte - SHP
2. Mark Melancon - RHP
3. J.B. Cox - RHP
4. Chase Wright - LHP
5. Jesus Montero - C/DH
6. Zach McAllister - RHP
7. Carmen Angelini - SS
8. Alan Horne - RHP
9. Jose Tabata - RF
10. Francisco Cervelli - C
11. Austin Jackson -CF
12. Jonathan Ortiz - RHP
13. Tim Dennehy - LHP
14. Anthony Claggett - RHP
15. Josue Selenes - RHP
16. Justin Snyder - 2B
17. Chris Malec - 3B/2B
18. Craig Heyer - RHP
19. Colin Curtis - OF
20. Mitch Hilligoss - 2B
21. Brad Suttle - 3B
22. Edwar Gonzalez - CF
23. Ramiro Pena - SS
24. Abraham Almonte - 2B
25. Eric Duncan - 1B/3B

Stay tuned for more on my Top 10 Prospects!

Baseball Nerdish as Always,
Brit

"I'm Just Sayin..."

This is dedicated to my buddy Cameron, who has made this phrase famous.

I'm Just Sayin' ... Note to Hank, Hal, and George: J.B. Cox is ready
I'm Just Sayin' ... Brett Gardner is getting his feet wet and he is arriving!
I'm Just Sayin' ... Ian Kennedy is feeling his way back to the majors, I would expect to see him take Rasner's spot by September
I'm Just Sayin' ... I hear all the complaints about Kennedy and Hughes and how they should have been traded for Santana...these kids can play ball, let them go through their growing pains and we will have two 15 game winners year in and out for 10+ years
I'm Just Sayin' ... The Yankees farm is rich in the catcher department; we have 4 quality prospects under 20 years old
I'm Just Sayin' ... Chase Wright - I know, I know...but he is legit
I'm Just Sayin' ... Do yourself a favor and find some time to check out the Charleston RiverDogs
I'm Just Sayin' ... Look for another callup before the end of July
I'm Just Sayin' ... You heard it here 1st: expect atleast 2 farm teams out of the 5 to play in their League Championship game
I'm Just Sayin' ... Sometime before spring training, look for a blockbuster deals that will include 1 pitcher in SWB, 1 OF from Trenton, and atleast another farm player or veteran

Pinstriped As Always,
Laura

MARVELous Thunderbolts

Ok, so the title doesn't do this story justice, but that's just my style... If you don't understand my title play on words, I'm referring the the Marvel comics' thunderbolts superhero team and implying that the Trenton Thunder are superheros LOL... yea, I need to work on my titles. :)

The Trenton Thunder is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Recently, the Thunder was awarded "Best Redesign" (for their logo) by Baseball America. The Thunder is currently in first place, three games ahead of their nearest opponent. This Trenton team is arguably the best team within the Yankees’ farm system. Simply put, the Trenton Thunder is chocked full of talent. On this blog, we like to highlight the best and brightest future stars; with this team, however, it took me a while to narrow down my list. The following are Thunder players to watch for in the near future based on their play this season with the Trenton Thunder.

Chase Wright, LHP: In my personal blog, The Baseball Whisperer (www.MySpace.com/swbyankeegroupie29) , I cracked a lot on Wright while he was with the New York Yankees, but I’m going to have to retract all that smack talk (I can remember calling Chase “Chase Wright, or wrong depending on the inning”). I think my harsh comments were not so much that Wright lacked skill, but was more so about the anger I had towards the Yankee organization for rushing him up to the majors before he was ready. In 2008, Wright is the best LHP in the minors for the Yankees (in my opinion). Wright has an upper 80s, low 90s fastball. The only thing that bothers me about Wright is his command; he tends to walk a lot of people. IF he gains some control and throws more quality pitches, I think he could very well be the next “Andy Pettitte.” Wright’s young, so I think he will be able to mature and fix these semi-flaws with ease. Wright also throws a decent change up in the upper 70s, low 80s. So far this year, Wright is 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA.

Mark Melancon, RHP: Melancon easily wins my vote for best pitching prospect in the Yankees’ farm system. It’s safe to say that I’m excited for the day Melancon becomes a New York Yankee. According to most scouts, Melancon could very well be the next Joba Chamberlain. Melancon has an above average fastball with superb command, a power curve ball, which is often equated to Joba’s out pitch (slider). Another great thing about Melancon (other than the 90+ mph fastball) is his ability to hide the ball during his delivery. This gives more life to his pitches. The Yankees however, believe Melancon’s biggest asset is his serious, professional, and determined demeanor. Melancon is another success story for Tommy John surgery. This year, Melancon is 3-0 with a 2.23 ERA.

Jose Tabata, RF: (Just to reiterate what was said in the futures blog) Tabata led the entire Yankees farm system in batting average when he hit .314 with the GCY at the age of 17 (during the 2005 season). As of January 2008, Tabata is ranked the Yankees’ 3rd best prospect by Baseball America. This guy is simply amazing in the outfield. With Bobby Abreu’s contract coming to an end this year, it will be interesting to see if the Yankees ink Abreu, Tabata, or someone else (namely Brett Gardner, even though he’s a CF) for the 2009 season. The only thing working against Tabata is his attitude, if he works out his issues, he could give Abreu and Gardner a run for their money. This year with the Thunder, Tabata is batting .248 with 36 RBIs. Tabata recently injured his hamstring; the team says they will not rush him back to the line up.

Austin Jackson, CF: If you didn’t already know, Jackson is one of the prospects the Yankees would not give up for Santana this past off season. Now, before you decide to hate Jackson because of this, just let me share some Jackson info with you… Jackson is a former basketball standout, which could explain his quickness in the outfield. Jackson has above average skills as both and offensive and defensive player. Jackson has the ability to hit to all fields with power and speed. So far this year, Jackson is hitting .274 with 20 doubles, and 13 stolen bases. He leads the Thunder in both of these categories.

Chris Malec, 3B: Malec is said to be comparable to Todd Walker, hitting wise. He’s a very polished hitter with power to the gaps. The thing I admire most about Malec, on the field, is that he will do whatever it takes to get on base for his team. If he has to take a 95mph fastball to the ribcage, so be it. He gets on base, simple as that. He has very good base running skills, which allows him to score a lot of runs and stay out of double plays. The Yankees feel that although Malec is a great baseball player, his work ethic and make-up are his best qualities. Malec is batting .293 this year with 13 doubles.

I simply cannot justify writing a blog about the Trenton Thunder without mentioning the remarkable strength and courage of Chris Malec and Colin Curtis off the field of play. We all know how hard it is for prospects to rise up the ranks, but the fight is compounded when you play for the Yankees’ farm system. Chris Malec and Colin Curtis both play for the Trenton Thunder, so what makes their journey any different than the other guys’ journeys? Both Curtis and Malec were diagnosed with testicular cancer early in their lives. Colin Curtis was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in high school. He’s been in remission for six years now. Chris Malec was first diagnosed with testicular cancer in college. Malec is also in remission. Malec sites Lance Armstrong as his inspiration and hero. In college, Malec had surgery to remove the cancerous tumor and started chemotherapy. During this time, Malec was playing baseball for UC-Santa Barbara. His coach didn’t expect him back until late May, but Malec beat his coach’s timetable by two weeks. In the first inning of Malec’s first start back, he hit a grand slam to lead his team to victory. Some may think it’s a coincidence how Malec and Curtis’ paths have crossed, but Colin Curtis states: “I’m not sure how I feel about coincidences and all that, but it’s definitely weird how it all played out. I do believe in fate and I think it’s cool how our lives have taken similar paths… and here we are.” Cancer is never a light subject, I usually like to joke and come up with light, comical quips about guys, but I was honestly touched when I read a story about these two guys and felt the need to pass it along to our readers.

Baseball Nerdish as Always,
Brit

Laura's Top Farm Prospects - Top 25

#1 - Well, this would have been Brett Gardner, but his recent call up takes him off the list. If he is sent back down he will be the number 1 prospect, but for now it belongs to Ian Kennedy. I know Kennedy has been pitching in the majors, but the reality is he likely won't return anytime soon, even when healthy. Girardi says Kennedy has to earn his spot back, and with a packed rotation that may mean Kennedy has to pitch in the minors for some time. That being said, Kennedy is still a legit major league pitcher who will probably average 15 wins a season. The problem with Kennedy right now is that he is trying to be a pitcher that he just isn't: a strikeout pitcher. Yes, Kennedy will get strikeouts, probably 5 a game or so, but he just doesn't have that strikeout pitch, atleast not now. But don't get me wrong, he may not lead the league in strikeouts ever, but he will keep runners off the basepath by simply outsmarting them. The problem is; right now he is outsmarting himself. He is trying to get hitters out with just fastball and changeups, but while he probably has the best changeup in the rotation, his fastball is not good enough in the low 90's to get away with two pitches. There really is no need for that anyway since he has a great curveball which he doesn't throw as often as he does. If you look at the games he has succeeeded in, he has mixed in his curve. Girardi and Co. have been telling him this all season, but it has yet to sink into his head. I would really like to see him develop a slider at some point, but he can succeed in the bigs with his fastball, change and curve.

#2 J.B. Cox. The former University of Texas National Champion Closer will soon be setting up the Yankees World Series Champion Closer Mariano Rivera. When Rivera is gone, he will set up for our #5 prospect. J.B. isn't a strikeout pitcher, but he is a lights out pitcher who will keep the 8th inning free of baserunners. Look for J.B. to get a late July early September callup.

#3 Alan Horne. Alan won't be an ace and won't blow away hitters and he won't be the next Joba Chamberlain. But he will win about 12-18 games a year and have an ERA below 3.00. He will be a Cy Young contender at least once in his career and he will have a solid career. If not injured earlier in the year, the Yankees would have called him up instead of Rasner and he would have likely stayed in New York for good. At 25, Horne is polished and would likely enjoy success at the next level, the problem for him, like Kennedy and Chase Wright, is that there is simply not an open spot right now and when Wang comes back, it gets even tighter. The thing is, Horne and Wright would both have much more success in New York than both Rasner and Ponson. But right now, Ras is pitching just well enough to fend off Horne and Wright and Ponson for some reason or another is still is pinstripes. This power pitcher will strikeout hitters with his fastball that runs between 92-95 mph. He also has great command of a plus power curve that just freezes hitters in their tracks. He also has great command of a plus changeup that he can throw anywhere in the count.

#4 I know, we don't have spots open for pitchers right now, but the pitchers in the farm system are far more ready for the majors than the position players. Chase Wright steals the #3 spot and why not? Yes, he had some problems last season, but even the Yankees admit they brought him up before he was ready, in my opinion, that did that to protect Phil Hughes. But even though he will be forever know as the pitcher who gave up that string of consecutive HR's, he still held his own in the big apple. Most other sites and "experts" don't rank Wright nearly as high as I do, but how often do you find a quality left handed arm? Chase has fixed his problems from last year by gaining command of his breaking pitches, which weren't developed enough when he was called up, hence why it was too soon for him. But now, Chase's low 90's fastball, he has great command of slurve-curveball and his changeup is still his bread and butter butter pitch should give him big league success. His velocity is down, thanks to a string of injuries, but now healthy, it should come back. Chase is having great success this season and if he is not on the 25 man roster by next season, look for him to get traded for a top level talent. There is talk of Chase being moved to the pen, if that happens, look for Chase to have great success in the big leagues.

#5 Mark Melancon. Melancon would have been in the Bronx with J.B. Cox right now, but thanks to Tommy John surgery for both of them, their arrival may not be until next season. Cox is more polished right now than Melancon, but Melancon will be the heir to Mariano Rivera. As much as I love Rivera, mark my words, Mark Melancon will be closing ballgames for the Yankees at some point in 2009. Mark may get a September callup, by why rush him? Rivera is still effective and innings can only help Melancon grow.

#6 Jose Tabata, yes he is young and having a down season, but this kid is almost big league ready at the young age of 19. Tabata signed with the Yanks as a non-drafted free agent at the age of 16 and since then he has created quite a buzz in the Yankees Farm. Good news for the Yankees is he is a Right Fielder. I know CF's and LF's get the love but it is so important to have a quality RF. The Yankees have had a string of solid RF's from Paul O'Neill to Gary Sheffield to Bobby Abreu. But Abreu is getting old and doesn't have too much time left and Tababta should be ready when that does happen. Tabata reminds me a bit of Manny Rameriez, I know I shouldn't curse on the board =), but he has quick hands like Manny does allowing him to generate great bat speed. It's still too early to predict whether he will be a power hitter or a for-average hitter, but he has shown great potential in both areas.

#7 Francisco Cervelli. Ladies and Gentleman, now batting 6th for the New York Yankees...catcher...Francisco Cervelli! Just having some fun here, but yes, that is my prediction. Cervelli is at a crowded position in the farm with youngsters Austin Romine and Jose Montero pushing him. Plus, the Yankees just drafted a couple more young catchers. But really, Cervelli is showing the most talent behind the plate and he is doing enough at the plate to make him the top contender. Cervelli seems to be the organization's favorite too as they gave him extended playing time in the spring before the Rays overzealous idiot hurt him. I think he is the heir to Posada and with Jorgie's health struggles...2009?

#8 Austin Jackson. A phenomenal athlete who will likely have to move from CF to LF, because a young man named Brett Gardner is a superior CF. Jackson almost headed off to play college basketball when the Yankees checkbook changed his mind. He is a speed demon who will be an all-star LF for years to come roaming the outfield with Gardy and Tabata.

#9 Eric Duncan. Duncan has slipped off the radar for most, he was available for Rule 5 selection, but wasn't protected and yet no teams took a chance on him. He is struggling right now, but he has such amazing talent! This kid will make his presence know once he debuts, which by the looks of things that may still be 2 years away from happening. Duncan is not the problem in my opinion, this kid was hyped since the beginning and anything less than perfect made him a dud. I think this took a major toll on his confidence and the switch from 3rd Base to 1st was tough on him. Give him some time to adjust and he will be an all-star 1st Baseman.

#10 Carmen Angelini. How would you like to be this kid, he is going to have to fill the shoes of none other than Derek Jeter. Well, ok, I'd still love to be him. He has been given the greatest compliment of all - the Yankees say Angelini is both a better hitter and fielder than the Captain. He has amazing range which has always been Jeter's one area of lacking. That being said, will he be half the leader Jeter is? Will he be even near Jeter in clutch play? Let's just let the kid make a mistake every once in awhile =)

#11 Jesus Montero C

#12 Dellin Betances RHP

#13 Ryan Pope RHP

#14 George Kontos RHP

#15 Jeffrey Marquez RHP

#16 Chris Malec 3rd Base

#17 Justin Sndyer 2nd Base

#18 Mitch Hilligoss - Utility/SS/3rd Base

#19 Juan Miranda 1st Base/DH

#20 Phil Coke RHP

#21 Michael Dunn LHP

#22 Steve White RHP

#23 Pat Venditte LHP/RHP

#24 Austin Romine C

#25 Bradley Suttle 3rd Base

Update

Hey guys - we are currently working on a few blogs for the site that are a bit time consuming - sorry about the delay, but it will be well worth it I promise!
To be coming up:
Pat Venditte - hopefully by Friday
Tampa Yankees - Sunday
Damon Sublett - Tuesday

Pintstriped As Always,
Laura