15 Prospects Invited to Big League Camp

Gary Sanchez and JR Murphy: Image thanks to milb.com

In no particular order...

1. Manny Banuelos LHP
2. Austin Romine C
3. Gary Sanchez C
4. Doug Bernier INF
5. Dan Burawa RH RP
6. Colin Curtis OF
7. Jose Gil C
8. Kyle Higashioka C
9. Brett Marshall RHP
10. Ryan Pope RH RP
11. Graham Stoneburner RHP
12. Jorge Vazquez 1B
13. Adam Warren RHP
14. Kevin Whelan RH RP
15. Chase Whitley RH RP

Others will be invited as well, but won't be in the official press release. For example, I think it is safe to say that Dellin Betances, David Phelps, DJ Mitchell, Brandon Laird, George Kontos, and some other solid specs will be in attendance. Nothing exciting here, but I'm sure it's very exciting for some of the prospects. JR Murphy and Gary Sanchez will be excited for their first trip, although they were both probably more invited for their ability to hold a catcher's mitt and catch 95 mph heat while in the crouched position.

YEEP 8/6/11: Wins all around.

Evil Em VP: Mason Williams

AA Trenton: W 5-3 vs Altoona. W: Whitley, S: Pope. *Claggett got the loss for Altoona.
Krum: 1/5, R, K (.257)
CoJo: 1/4, R, BB, K (.270)
R-Ly Lyerly: 2/4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB (.254). Finally broke his 0 for a long time spell.
Melkman Mesa: 3/5, HR, 2 RBI (.236). That's number 6 on the season, his power is slowly returning. 2 games in a row with a homerun.
Boilin Zoilo Almonte: 1/3, BB (.294)
Craig Heyer: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 K, HR (3.92 ERA)
Chase Whitley: 3 IP, H, BB, 2 K, 0 ER (3.33 ERA). All the way from Staten Island to Trenton less than 2 seasons with success at every level. Really impressive.
Pope: 1 IP, 0 ER, K (1.54)

High A Tampa: W 8-4 vs Dunedin: W: Marshall
Honest Abe Almonte: 1/5, R, 3B, 2 K (.246)
Walt Ibarra: 2/4, R, 2B, RBI (.301). Pretty solid return.
K-Roll Roller: 2/4, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI (.241). Good job, he needs more games like this.
DAdams: 2/3, 2 R, BB, K (.320). They can't keep him here much longer, but I'd like to see the power come around at some point.
Castrol GTX Castro: 1/4, RBI, K (.318)
Dee Mack: 3/4, R, 2B, RBI (.315). He'll be great at this level.
Brett Fire Marshall: 5 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 K, HR (4.04 ERA). I like the lack of walks, I don't like the 9 hits.
Dan Burawa: 2 IP, R, ER, 3 BB, K (4.09 ERA)

Low A Charleston: W 6-5 vs Savannah. W: Nuno. S: Montgomery
Shane Brown: 1/3, R, RBI, BB (.283)
Sanchize: 2/3, R, HR, RBI, BB (.253). 9 for his last 18. 6 HR in his last 10 games. 15 HR on the season. I'd say he's starting to come around.
Higgy Higashioka: 1/4, R, HR, 2 RBI (.253)
Vidal Sassoon Nuno: 6 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 K, HR (2.7 ERA). Lots of hits, but no walks and you've got to like his K/BB rate of 40/3 in 35 innings this year.
Dott: 1.2 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 2 K (1.83 ERA)
Monte Python Montgomery: 1.1 IP, H, R, ER, 3 BB, 2 K (2.35 ERA). Not his best performance.

Short Season Staten Island Yankees: W 6-4 vs Brooklyn. W: Oliver. S: Pinder
Mad Mase Williams:3/4, 2 R, BB, 2 SB (18) (.370). Leads the league in average and it's not close.
Casey Stevenson: 2/4, R, RBI, BB (.278)
Ben Gamel the Camel: 2/3, 2 R, 2B, 2 BB (.290)
Cody Grice: 2/5, R, 3B, 4 RBI (.286)
Reymond Nunez: 1/5, 2B, RBI, K (.298)
Gerritse: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 K, HR (1.33 ERA)
Pinder: 1 IP, H, 2 K, 0 ER. 10 saves on the season (.50 ERA). Pretty dominant.I like his makeup and so do some scouts. He could be a Chase Whitley type by next year.

GCL Yankees: W 14-6 vs GCL Braves
Ravenous Ravel Santana: 1/4, 2 R, BB, SB (6) (.268)
Janitor Custodio: 3/5, 2 R, RBI, K, SB (19) (.291) He needed a game like this badly. Strong work.
Isaias The Hata Tejada: 3/5, 2 R, (.350), CS, PO. A few baserunning misakes, but great game.
Junior Bichette: 2/4, R, 2 RBI, BB, K (.336)
Matt Duran Duran: 2/5, 2 R, 2B, RBI (.242)
Daniel Lopez: 4/5, 3B, RBI, SB (16) (.324) Great game from him.
Justin James: 1/5, R, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 K (.341)
Rutzkrieg Rutckyj: 4 IP, 5 H, R, 0 ER, BB, 5 K. Two great starts in a row. Hopefully he found his control.
Corey Mad Cowsert disease: 1 IP, H, K (2.16)
Hinojosa: 1 IP, 2 H, K (2.31 ERA) Back down to GCL where here currently belongs.
Now this is just the GCL, but when you look at the amont of guys on this team batting .300 right now, it's absurd, not to mention some of the guys who have already been promoted. You have Justin James, Isaias Tejeda, Dante Bichette, Jose Rosario, Daniel Lopez and then a few guys who don't have enough at bats to make it significant.

YEEP 8/2/11. Screw Shark Week, it's Montero Week

Evil Em VP: Jesus Montero. This may be his last Evil Em VP, and I hope it is, because this will mean he was hopefully promoted. Image thanks to NJ.com

AAA SWB: W 3-2 vs Lehigh Valley. W: Schmidt. S: Whelan (21)
Russo: 0/4, RBI, K, E. Tough game.
Jesus Montero: 3/4, HR (.288). That's number 11. 14 for his last 39 (.359), 3 HR, 10 RBI in his last 10 games.
JoVa: 0/4, 3 K.
B Laird: 2/4, 2 R, HR, RBI, 2 K (.274), HR #11 as well. 12 for his last 36 (.333)
Krum: 1/2, 2B, BB, SB (9).
ManBan: 5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K, HR. Pretty similar to his AA outings this season. At least we know he can do it against better competition too.
Whelan: 1 IP, K, 21st save of the season.

AA Trenton: L 2-3 to Akron. L: Betances
Kruml: 1/4, RBI, 2 K (.290)
Austin BRomine: 1/4, RBI, K (.283).
R-Ly Lyerly: 0/3, BB, 3 K (.266). Cooling down a bit.
Melkman Mesa: 0/4, 2 K (.229).
Boilin Zoilo Almonte: 1/4, 2 K (.286)
CoJo: 0/1 in a pinch hit appearance.
Betances: 4 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4BB, 5 K. Not good. That's 4 straight bad starts. I think he's starting to tire out because he's already far above his innings pitched for last season.
Sideshow Venditte: 1 IP ZeRoS (2.82 ERA). He's been one of the most durable and successful relievers in the system this season.
Chase Whitley: 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K (3.75 ERA), looks like he's starting to get the hang of this level.

High A Tampa: L 3-10 to Clearwater. L: Black
Honest Abe Almonte: 1/3, R, BB, SB (21) (.241).
Castrol GTX Castro: 0/3, R, BB, 2 K, SB (7). I love how he's been flashing the speed lately (4 in his last 6 games)
Brewski Brewer: 1/4, K (.333)
K-Roll Roller: 2/4, RBI, K (.242)
Luke Murton: 1/4, RBI
Burawa: 2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, K (4.05 ERA at this level)
K-Flan Flannery: 1 IP, 2 H, K. Demoted back to High A Tampa. He's more at home here I guess :(

Low A Charleston: L 5-10 to Asheville. L: Allen
Shane Brown: 0/3, R, BB (.289)
Sanchize: 1/3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K (.244). That's number 12 of the season. By NBA Jam rules, he's heating up, with 2 consecutive solid games with a HR. I would like to hear myself say "He's on fire" tomorrow, probably wishful thinking.
Ray-Flo Flores: 1/3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K. That's number 11 on the season for him.
Nothing I'd prefer to talk about from the pitchers.

Short Season Staten Island: W 7-4 vs Mahoning Valley. W: Lewis. S: Wetherell (2)
Mad Mase Williams: 3/5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, SB (16), CS (8), (.353). Had at least one of everything today. That's his 3rd homerun. It is going to be fun to watch him make his way through our system.
Cheeto Culver: 2/4, 2 R, 3B (.289). Nice game.
Ben Gamel the Camel: 0/2, RBI, BB, K (.279)
Angelo Bubba Gumbs: 1/3, 2 R, 3B, RBI, BB, 2 SB (11). The SB are very encouraging. He's batting .280.
Reymond Nunez: 2/4, 2B, RBI, K. Has been hitting SO well lately. 15 for his last 35 (.429)
DeLuca: 3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 2 K (3.02 ERA on the season).
Gerritse: 3 IP, 2 H, R, 0 ER, 2 K (.49 ERA). He's been great at this level. I'd love to see a scouting report on him right now.
Wetherell: 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K (1.10 ERA). He should be moving up soon.


GCL Yankees: L 3-6 to GCL Tigers. L: Hinojosa. WHAT?!?!? How dare you guys lose a game.
Jose Rosario: 1/4, R
Ravenous Ravel Santana: 2/2, 2B, RBI (.254). More two hit games please.
Isaias the Hata Tejeda: 1/3. (.364). He's not slowing down at all. He's 14 for his last 37 (.378) with 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 BB.
Junior Bichette: 0/4, 2 K (.344). He's such a bust.
Yeicok Calderon: 0/4, K (.254)
Matt Duran Duran: 0/4 (.200).
Bubba Jones: 0/2, 2 K. Welcome to pro ball.
Justin James: 0/4, K, CS (.382)
Texeira: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, K. Rehab
Reynaldo Polanco: 4 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K. Let the buzz begin.
Cowsert: 1 IP, 2 K, 0 ER
Hinojosa: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, got the loss after the demotion. That was a very quick demotion, I guess they really didn't like what they saw up there.

Movers and Shakers: Promotions/demotions in the Yankees minors

 Sorry Ivan Nova, you've got a right to be a big annoyed with your demotion, but it'll be good for you in the long run dude... image thanks to espn.com

AAA

Shaeffer Hall was called up to AAA for 1 start. He did a nice job. Given that it was a spot start, I don't think it matters whether he deserved the temporary promotion or not, but he has in fact done a good job for AA this season.

Buddy Carlyle was outrighted to AAA SWB. This is really not news. Sorry.

Ivan Nova was optioned to AAA SWB due to the return of Phil Hughes. He did a great job in the big leagues. If I had it my way, Freddy Garcia would have gone to the bullpen, but Nova will have the chance to become more than a 2 pitch guy if he can work on his change-up while in SWB.

Kevin Whelan also optioned to AAA. He's injured anyway, but has done a great job in SWB this season. He deserved the promotion to the majors, but belongs in the minors when he returns from the injury.

Chris Dickerson also demoted to AAA.

AA

F Hernandez (NOT Felix) was released. Not surprising since he is garbage.

Ryan Pope was sent to AA Trenton from SWB. He was struggling a bit there, maybe he can reinvigorate himself at the level where he originally found himself as a relief pitcher.

Chase Whitley was promoted to AA. He's done a decent job so far. Had a rough first outing, but has done well since then (4.26 ERA, 6 K in 6.1 IP).

Josh Romanski to AA. The bromance as I call him, he has no runs and 3 K in 3.1 IP. Considering we got him for literally nothing, he is turning into a really solid relief prospect.

Rob Lyerly (R-Ly) was also promoted to AA. He really deserved it. I have been preaching all year long about this guy's ability to make contact. If he starts gaining some power, he will be a dangerous hitter. He has proven that he deserved the promotion so far. .305/.359/.783, 1 HR, 9 RBI in 15 g.

High A Tampa

Daniel Burawa was promoted to High A. In limited action he has performed poorly. 2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. Honestly didn't feel he was ready for High A. In Low A Charleston, he had a 3.64 ERA and 35 K in 44.2 IP. That's good but in my opinion that's end of the season promotion good, not midseason promotion good. We'll see how he adjusts the rest of the season, it's a small sample size in High A so far.

Mike Gipson was also promoted to High A. He's been injured all season, but was listed on Low A Charleston at the beginning of the year, so this is a promotion. Don't have much to say about this except that he was good in Staten Island last season and I've been excited to see how he does all season.

Mikey O'brien also came from Charleston. He pitched great there, 68 K in 72.1 IP and a 3.2 ERA. He had a shaky first start, but since then has been great after the promotion. Definitely deserved this.

Nik Turley is another former River Dog, and this promotion has been a long time coming. He's been beastly in Low A, easily their best pitcher. He had a rough first start, but that's to be expected with a promotion.

Kramer Sneed, left handed relief pitcher. This promotion is one that I didn't understand, and so far I've been proven right. Sneed had a 4.18 ERA in Low A. He is left handed though, and stikes out more than 1/IP, so I guess the old addage, "he's left handed and he has a pulse," is accurate in this scenario.

JR Murphy, the catcher. I can't say enough about how much this kid deserved to be promoted. He was raking in Charleston, and outplaying Gary Sanchez at that level. He's young and he's got a sweet left handed swing. Yet another catcher to look out for in our system. With Gary Sanchez's fall from grace this season, he has eased that blow a little bit. He's struggled out of the gait, but seems to be easing into his role and improving every day, which is what you like to see.

Kyle Roller also deserved the promotion. They picked him for his bat, and he's done nothing but hit since he arrived here. He's got power, and should continue to move quickly through the organization at least until he starts seeing some real quality pitchers in AA. From there, anything can happen. He's played serviceably since arriving in Tampa (.250), but he'll have to continue to improve at this level.

Rob Segedin is another power hitting corner IF who deserved a promotion. I've had him and Roller paired together as similar players since the beginning of the season, and they have played very similarly. Segedin deserved his promotion, but has started off slow (.196) since his promotion. He's got some work to do.

Finally, Slade Heathcott earned a promotion to High A as well. Unfortunately, he has only played in 1 g since arriving due to injuries, however that game was an epic one for him. He was 3/5 with a HR and 2 R. There was speculation that he was bored in Charleston, but I have my doubts. I'm looking forward to his return.

Low A Charleston

Mark Montgomery made the quick move from Staten Island. So far he's shown why. So far he has made all but 2 of his outs by strikeout. He has 3 IP, and 9 K. Actually had 5 K in his first inning. I'd say he deserved a promotion, because he must be absolutely blowing batters away.

Kyle Higashioka moved in the wrong direction, going from High A to Charleston. The funny thing is, people have been talking about how good this kid is for about 3 years now, and I've never been impressed since he has proven over and over that he can't hit. Each year, however, he is promoted. Here's the funny part, he recently had really started to swing the bat well at High A Tampa, hitting a couple of HR in the week before the demotion, and hitting so well to the point that I actually feel he didn't deserve the demotion. Either way, he's in Charleston now, and has continued to hit better than he ever has before in his career (.279, 1 HR, 5 RBI). I actually feel bad for this kid, but the bottom line is that if he continues to hit, he will change minds. Just look at JR Murphy.

Now for the snubs. Who should have been promoted that wasn't? Or at least should be promoted soon. First of all, Dellin Betances should be promoted soon. He's very close. His main issue is control, but with the way that he has dominated AA batters, it hasn't mattered. There's no reason he can't work on that control in AAA. As for Austin Romine, I'm not saying he should be promoted, but he would be in AAA in any other system right now. I'm okay with it because Montero is a stud, but this kid has got to be getting bored there even though his playing quite well still. I still maintain that Raymond Kruml should have been promoted instead of Austin Krum to AAA. He's got better speed, and he's a better hitter. He has 29 SB already. If nothing else, he'd probably be great to have in the majors as a pinch runner in September. 

You might say that Zoilo Almonte should have been promoted to AA. I think we should give him time. He struggled a bit when he was promoted to High A in the middle of last season, decreasing his prospect stock. I say let him improve his stock in High A, this way he could be used as trade fodder this off-season or if nothing else build up some confidence. Increased prospect stock is never a bad thing. Jairo Heredia has been phenomenal, but only recently. He's another I'm glad they kept down because he has traditionally struggled with promotions. Let him get a true grasp on High A before giving him a new challenge. Ryan Flannery is the one snub at this level I disagree with. The guy has slowly moved up one level a year, each year dominating the level he's at. He's not getting any younger and yet there doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency in promoting him. Based on his picture he looks a bit obese, but hell, if you drafted him, then you thought he had something at some point. All he's done is prove that he can get guys out since he came here, I say give him a mid-season promotion for once in his career. Finally, I am not seeing any obvious snubs in Charleston, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

Overall, I think the Yankees did a good job evaluating who deserved a promotion and who didn't. I think there were a couple of mistakes as far as guys who didn't deserve a promotion, and a few where they probably should be promoted soon or should have already received that recognition. In the end, they will get their chance eventually.

YEEP 6/30. Jesus "I've still got some power in me yet"

 Evil Em Vee P of the night: Jesus Montero (2/4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI)

AAA SWB L 7-3 to Norfolk. Warren got the loss.
Montero: 2/4 with 1 HR, 1 RBI. In Norris' interview with Ashmore, Ashmore did say Montero's power didn't come around until this time last year. I hope he's right.
Laird: 1/3 1 RBI
Adam "the Warden" Warren: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K. Everyone's entitled to a meh game every now and then.
Andrew Brackman: 2 IP 2 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR. Still a mess. I just hope he figures something out this offseason, because he's really far away from where he needs to be right now.

AA Trenton: W 8-6. W: Mr. Garrison S: Horne
Kruml: 3/5, 2 R, 2 SB (25). He's on fire. Starting to wonder if Kruml, and not his evil twin Krum, should have gotten the promo to AAA.
CoJo: 3/5, 2 R, 2B, 1 RBI (.296)
BRomine: 2/5, 3 R, RBI. Consistency, which is what I want to see from him this time of year, which is when he began to tire out last season IMO.
R-Ly (Rob Lyerly): 0/3, 1 RBI, 1 K. 9 RBI in 10 g so far in AA. That's what you look for out of a 1B. The other thing you look for, however, is power.
Chase Whitley: 2.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K, H.
Josh BRomance Romanski: 1 IP, 0 R, 1 BB
Alan Horne: .1 IP, 0 R,  1 BB, 1 K, S. A save's a save. 2/2

High A Tampa: Postponed

Low A Charleston:  L 1-5. L: Greene
E Sosa: 0/3, 1 BB
Sanchize: 0/3, 1 BB, 1 K.
Higgy (Higashioka): 0/4
S Greene: 5 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. When defense fails you, there's not much you can do. They had 4 errors tonight. This was a recurring theme in the minors tonight. He also made 2 of the errors himself though.
Franciso Rondon: 2 IP, 5 K, 0 H, 0 R. Got the promo from SI. Deserved it. Continued his success. 0 ER in 8.2 IP so far this season total.

Short Season Staten Island: W 6-5. W: Nuno
Mason "Mad Mase" Williams: 0/4, 1 RBI
Cito "Cheetoh" Culver: 1/4, 1 RBI, 2 K
Angelo "Bubba Gumbs Shrimp" Gumbs: 1/3, 1 R, 1 BB
Vidal "Nono" Nuno: 5 IP, 5 H, 5 K, 0 ER. Excellent relief appearance. He's done very well in that role so far. (10.1 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 10 K). 23 though so old for his level.
Pinder: .2 IP, 1 K, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, S. (2.25 ERA on the season) 4 saves already. I like his poise so far.

GCL Yankees L 14-11. L: Johnson
Claudio "the janitor" Custodio: 3/4, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 3 SB (7). Keep it up kid.
Ravenous Ravel Santana: 1/6, 2 K, SB. It's okay Rav
Junior Bichette: 1/3, 1 R, 3B, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 1 K
Yeicok Calderon: 0/6, 3 K. Yucky.
Dawerd Cruz: 4 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. The Yankees committed 8 errors in this game. Pathetic. They did also have 6 SB though.

That's it for the night. It's tough to pick a Evil Em Vee P tonight, but I have someone in mind. I'll just say Rondon was a close 2nd, however because he's older and at a lower level, I have to give it up to Jesus tonight.