YEEP 8/4/11: Good thing our major league team is the Yankees

Evil Em VP of the day: Jorge Vazquez. HR #26. Image thanks to NJ.com, now that's a good looking dude.

Big ups to Ivan Nova tonight for having one hell of an outing. That should silence some of his critics for now. They are gonna have a big decision ahead of them with this rotation. I say keep going 6 man with CC pitching every 5 days. The less AJ Burnett pitches, the better.

Also, I will have an updated list of signings once the deadline passes. Jordan Cote signed today, their 3rd round draft pick.

AAA SWB: L 2-3 to Louisville. L: Warren
Russo: 1/4 (.293)
Jesus Montero: 1/3, R, BB (.289)
JoVa: 2/3, HR, 2 RBI (.247). That's number 26, RBI number 76. At this point I'm just intrigued. I doubt if he'd be able to hit above .215 in the majors but if he still could jack 30 HRs then that would be valuable to some teams.
Laird: 1/4, 2 K (.274)
Brewski Brewer: 0/3, 2 K (.268). Not exactly a triumphant return to AAA.
Adam the Warden Warren: 7.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 K, HR (3.34 ERA). I'll take it.
JC Romero: 1.1 IP, H, 2 BB, K (2.41 ERA).

AA Trenton: L 4-7 to Akron. L: Hall
Krum: 4/5, RBI (.259 in AA this year). He was demoted from AAA. I'm not sure who was promoted in his place, but it could have been Brewer or Kruml. Kruml didn't play today in AA, but Brewer had been in AAA all season before the injury and is in the process of rehabbing. My money's on Brewer.
CoJo: 1/5, K (.273).Just 9 for his last 40 (.225). I wonder who is the better prospect, him or Adams. Right now my money's on Adams. Both are blocked in AAA by Russo right now, but I don't see that as a big problem.
Boilo Zoilo Almonte: 2/4, R, RBI, BB, K (.295). He's got a 5 game hit streak going. Scorching.
R-Ly Lyerly: 0/3, R, BB, 2 K (.255). The streak is up to 17 at bats without a hit. Yikes
Melkman Mesa: 0/4, BB, 2 K.
Shaeffer Hall: 5.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 K, HR (4.23 ERA)
Sideshow Venditte: 1 IP, 2 K, 0 ER (2.78 ERA).

High A Tampa: L 4-8 to Clearwater. L: Quintana
Honest Abe Almonte: 1/4, RBI, 3 K (.242)
Castrol GTX Castro: 1/3, R, BB (.313)
DAdams: 1/4, RBI, K (.310)
K-Roll Roller: 1/4, RBI, K (.243)
Dee Mack: 1/3, R, BB (.292). Looks like he was the other casualty besides Krum in Brewer's promotion. Dee Mack was Dee-Moted. He could probably use some more time at this level anyway.
Jose Quintanadana: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, BB, K, 3 HR. His first really bad outing, wasn't really a start because Marquez got the rehab start. It's just one bad one.
Casanova: .2 IP, BB, K, 0 ER

Charleston: L: 4-5 to Asheville. L: Reyes
Ray-Flo Flores: 1/5, K (.268)
Sanchize: 0/3, 2 BB, 3 K. Those strikeouts have to stop soon. I'll cut him some slack with his recent HR streak though.
Shane Brown: 1/5, R (.279)
Shane Greene: 4.1 IP, 3 H, ER, 5 BB, 6 K (3.99 ERA) Under 4!
Monte Python Montgomery: 1.2 IP, BB, 3 K. Back to his strikeout ways.
Lost in the bottom of the 10th

Short Season Staten Island: L 0-4. L: Mitchell
Mad Mase Williams: 2/4, K, CS (10), PO (.358). He's had trouble stealing bases, but I agree with him continuing to be aggressive. It's the only way to learn how to steal, and it means nothing at this level.
Cheeto Culver: 0/4 (.278). He is a superb contact hitter.
Ben Gamel the Camel: 0/3, 2 K (.280)
Cody Grice: 1/3 (.293). He has maintained this average quite well.
Reymond Nunez: 1/3 (.301). Ditto
Casey Stevenson: 0/3 (.280)
Bryan Mitchell, punt returner and pitcher with lack of control: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 K, HR. Not terrible though, and I like the 5:1 K:BB today.
Cotham City: 1.2 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K (1.13 ERA)
Matt Tracy: .1 IP, K (2.22 ERA)
Bottom line is... you can't win if you don't score runs. At least that's what John Madden would say if he ever delved into baseball.

GCL Yankees: L 3-8 vs GCL Pirates. L: Phelps
Janitor Custodio: 0/4, 2 K, E. On a skid right now
Ravenous Ravel Santana: 0/4, 4 K (.268), E. Man, I was all excited that he might have turned the corner after yesterday.
Yeicok Calderon: 0/4, 2 K (.246)
Isaias The Hata Tejeda: 0/3, R, BB (.352). Had an error today.
Matt Duran Duran: 0/4, K (.214)
Justin James: 1/3, BB, K, SB (2) (.378). At least someone had a good game.
David Phelps: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, BB, 2 K. Rehab! Whoo!
Gabriel Encinas: 4 IP, 3 H, R, 0 ER, BB, 2 K. Nice outing, but still a 5.06 ERA.

The minor were swept today, but at least the big league team won. That is, after all, all that matters.

YEEP 7/28/11: Hungry like the wolves (Matt Duran Duran)

Evil Em VP of the day: Matt Duran (3/4, HR). Image thanks to newrochelletalk.com.

7th rounders Bubba Jones and 18th rounder Hayden Sharp have been signed. This is what I had to say about Sharp when we drafted him.

"18th round: Hayden Sharp, 6-6, 200, RHP HS, He is signed to play at Central Oklahoma. Nothing on his other pitches though, or his command. As a senior he was used mostly as a reliever and had 82 strikeouts. Keith Law on Twitter: Pop-up guy for the draft this year - Hayden Sharp from Morris, OK. Hit 98 on Thursday, lot of 93-96, quarterback committed to Ctrl Oklahoma" He has gotten quite a few comps to Brett Marshall.

Yardbarker on Bubba Jones:  "6-1, 210-pounds, left handed hitting 18-year-old with power out of Edmonds-Woodway high school in Washington. He played catcher, first, and some outfield in high school, but was drafted as a first baseman by the Yankees. He has no agent representing him and a commitment to the University of Arizona."  From what I understand, he is a power bat who will start out at GCL.

AAA SWB: W 6-3 vs Buffalo: W: Carlyle. S: Flores
Russo: 0/4, RBI, K
Montero: 0/4, BB
JoVa: 1/5, R, HR, RBI, 2 K. That's his 24th HR, at least the power is coming back. He's also got 68 RBI. That's some good production.
Laird (Bash Brother): 2/5, 2 R, 2B. The bash brother nickname is in reference to the fight he and his brother got in at the bar, and also in reference to the Mighty Ducks.
A bunch of acquired pitchers pitched tonight, the most significant IMO is Randy Flores: 1 IP, 2 K, 0 ER. Still think he could contribute a lot in the LOOGY role.

AA Trenton: L 3-8 to Richmond. L: Betnaces
Kruml: 0/4, BB, 3 K. This breaks a long hit streak for him. Most of them were 1/4 types though.
CoJo: 0/3, 2 R, 2 BB, K.
Austin BRomine: 1/5, RBI
R-Ly Lyerly: 1/5, 2 K.
Melkman Mesa: 2/4, R, RBI, K. :)
Boilin Zoilo Almonte: 0/3, BB
Betances: 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, BB, 3 K. This outing is not nearly as bad as it looks. He pitched 5 shutout innings and then let up 5 runs on 6 batters in the top of the 6th. He's not really used to pitching deep into games. Hopefully they're unleashing him a bit now.
Sideshow Venditte: 2 IP, H, 0 ER, 3 K. (ERA down to 2.86). He just keeps doing it at every level.
K-Flan Flannery: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 2 K. He was the closer at Tampa. Mostly pitched 1 inning at a time. His first inning was much better than the second, I'll give him a free pass.
Pope: .1 IP, Zeros. (0.00 at Trenton, still).

High A Tampa: W 12-2
DAdams: 3/5, 2 R, 2B, BB (.348)
Musketeer Mustelier: 1/6, 2B (.305)
K-Roll Roller: 2/5, 2 R, HR, RBI. 4th HR at Tampa, 13th of the season total.
Seggy Segedin: 1/5, R, RBI, 2 K
Luke Murton: 2/4, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI. #8 for him.
Castrol GTX Castro: 3/5, R, 3 RBI, K, SB (4). Back on track after a bried slow spell.
Nothing of terrible importance with the pitching.

Low A Charleston: L 8-13 to Greenville. L: Rondon
Eddy Sosa: 1/3, R, 2 BB, 2 K
Sanchize: 2/5, 2 R, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 K. I like it, except for the K's.
Ray-Flo Flores: 1/3, R, RBI, BB, K. The strong work continues.
Recchia: 1 IP, H, R, BB, 0 ER. 2.66 ERA on the season.

Short Season Staten Island: L 4-3 to Batavia. L: Tracy
Mad Mase Williams: 1/4, 2 R, SB (13), BB, (.342)
Cheeto Culver: 1/3, RBI, BB (.296)
Cody Grice: 2/4, RBI, K, CS (1), (.276)
Gamel the Camel: 0/3, 2 K, SB (3)
Evan DeLuca: 3.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 5 K. ERA is 2.56 on the season, it's just a performance fart.
Vidal Nuno: 1.1 IP, 3 K, ZEROS. (.72 ERA).
Matt Tracy: 3 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 K. Pitched pretty well actually, but we didn't score enough to win.

GCL Yankees: W 8-3 v GCL Blue Jays. What else is new with these guys? W: Cruz
Jose Rosario: 0/4 (.318)
Brewer (Brewski): 1/2, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB (2). Rehab. He'll be back in AAA soon I suppose.
Isaias Tejeda: 0/3, R, BB, K (.351 - watch out for small sample sizes).
Matt Duran: 3/4, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI. Just his 2nd game, pretty decent start I guess.
Ravenous Ravel Santana: 1/4, HR, 2 RBI, 3 K. Thats HR number 8 on the season. I just worry that this guy has Kelvin De Leon written all over him, especially when he strikes out 3 times like that. (.250)
Daniel Lopez: 0/4 (.300)
Alcantara: 0/4, 2 K (.278)
Justin James: 2/2, R, 2B (.393). Me likey.
Marquez: 2 IP, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 ER. IDK why I'm writing about him, I don't think much of him.
Kanekoa Texeira: 1 IP, K, 0 ER. He's back again.
Mad Cowsert Disease: 1 IP, 2 K.

YEEP 7/21/11

AAA SWB: W 6-5. W: Pendleton. S: Carlyle
Kevin Russo: 3/5 R, 3 2B, 2 RBI, K. He's really came on as of late, especially since returning from injury. He's 12/33 (.364) since returning, with 2 HR, 3 2B, 7 BB in 8 games.
JoVa: 0/4, K.
Krum: 3/3, 2 R, 2B, RBI. He's definitely starting to get the hang of AAA. He's got to flash that speed though.
Lance Pendleton: 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, K. Got the win.
Wordekemper: .1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, BB, K.
Flores: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER. We have 2 lefties who might see some time in the majors soon at this level, he and Romero. Yesterday I mistakenly stated that Kensing is a lefty, sorry about that!

GCL Yankees: W 18-2. W: Varce
Janitor Custodio: 1/2, 3 R, BB
Jorge Alcantara: 1/2, R, K.
Jose Rosario: 3/6, 3 R, 2B, RBI, K. Continues his torrid play. He's young, and he has more power than Culver. If he continues to play like this, his stock will rise very quickly.
Isaias "the hata" Tejeda: 1/2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB. (.383)
Junior Bichette: 3/4, 2 R, 4 RBI. I knew some of those line drives would start falling for hits (.250 now).
Daniel Lopez: 1/5, 2 RBI, K, SB (11). Just looked at his milb.com profile, and he's only 19. He plays CF. Overshadowed at this level by guys like James, Bichette, and Santana, but he's got speed and it appears he can hit (he hit well in the DSL last year and starting this year too).
Justin James: 2/6, 3 R, 2B, RBI, 2 K. A nice start for this new draftee. He's 20.
Varce: 5 IP, 3 H, ER, 5 K. Nice start.
Reinier Casanova: 1 IP, H, K, 0 ER. New signee from Cuba. He's 24, so maybe he'll move really quickly much like Mustelier has.

Other Prospect News

  Image: Sam Stafford, 2nd round pick, signed today. Picture courtesy of Frathousesports.com

jnorris427 Josh Norris

Heard through the grapevine that Dan Burawa will be joining Kramer Sneed in moving up to Tampa. #yankees

@jnorris427 Josh Norris

Sounds like Kramer Sneed has been promoted to High-A Tampa. #Yankees

 River Ave. Blues: "Fourth rounder Matt Duran was at Yankee Stadium working out with the team today. They’ve done this a number of times through the years, and it usually leads to the player signing shortly thereafter."

Also according to RAB, we signed Justin James, the 13th rounder, and 2nd rounder Sam Stafford. Good news! See my post about rounds 10-50 to find more info about Justin James.

2011 Draft, rounds 10-50, Who Should We Sign?

Image: Daniel Camarena, courtesy of  perfectgame.org

I did some research and these are the guys I found intriguing. One, Cody Grice, has already signed, so that's a good start. Anyway, here goes.

48th round- Wes Benjamin LHP- FB: 91, runs in high 80's. throws a 4-seamer, a 2-seamer, a curveball, and a changeup. That velocity from a lefty out of high school is a commodity. committed to Kansas, so might cost us some money to sign, but if we don't we could end up regretting it if he continues the success he had in HS at Kansas (10-1, 1.31 ERA, 64 innings, 84 strikeouts, 14 walks).

47th round- Ethan Springston CF - .533 with 11 HRs, 54 RBIs, and 45 runs. Unable to find a college commitment. 6-2 170 Lbs. Bats: Left/ Throws: Right. 60 Yard: 6.9 Sec. Outfield Arm Strength 87 MPH. Born May 24, 1993. 6'2 175, so has some room to fill out.

44th Round- Adam Ravenelle RHP- 6'3 185. High school player committed to Vanderbilt. 93 MPH with a sweeping 76 mph curveball. His senior year he went 6-0 with an ERA just under 1.00. Committed to Vanderbilt, but I'm sure the Yankees can coax him out of that with some big money if they think he's worth it. He was projected to go as high as the 10th round, so he was certainly a bargain at this point in the draft. "Ravenelle might have the highest ceiling of any Massachusetts pitcher not named Beede or Connaughton. Ravenelle has a 6-foot-4, 185-pound build and throws in the low 90s, but he has struggled with consistency. He throws from a three-quarters slot and has funkiness with his arm action, and he needs to repeat his delivery better by staying closed longer and more in line with the plate. Ravenelle has shown a fringe-average breaking ball and decent changeup in the past. A Vanderbilt recruit, Ravenelle likely will end up at school, though someone should take a flier on him as a summer follow."

43rd Round- Tyler Farrell RHP- HS, Righthander Tyler Farrell has the best FB/CB in Illinois. The 6-foot-2, 180 lb throws 88-91 mph and touches 93, and he throws his CB with good depth. Not much deception in delivery.committed to Western Illinois.stat line 7-1 with a 0.94 ERA and 93 K in 52 IP. Sounds like another guy who could be a solid signing and we'd probably have to pay him like a 10th-20th rounder to get him. I like him though.

39th Round: Taylor Guilbeau LHP, HS. Projectable 6-3/175 lefty, upper 80s FB now with extended ¾ release; 78 mph SL is best pitch, big/deep CH. Committed to Alabama. Perfect game has him at 88 mph on the FB. Lots of movement on his pitches. Intriguing kid.

37th round: Ryan Harris RHP, HS- 6'2, 195 lbs. Clocked at 93 mph by Perfect game. Committed to U of Florida. Another high velocity righty. There are others I like better but I wouldn't hate the signing.

36th round: Ryan Thompson RHP UCONN- 6'3, 190. A scouting report from the Unionleader.com: his FB sits consistently at 88 to 92 mph and SL are already major league average pitches. Excellent control and ability to throw strikes. holds velocity deep into games, has a chance to start at the next level, but he profiles better as a sinker/slider reliever. Thompson could get taken in the top eight rounds, but he's more likely to go somewhere between rounds 10 and 15. Another 90's throwing righty, good organizational filler with potential to be a solid reliever or something more.

35th round: Chris Mccue RHP- 6' 170. Chris McCue has the ability to throw his FB in the mid 90s - clocked as high as 94 MPH, with an effective CB and CU at any point in and throws them for strikes in any count. Scouts raved about his sinking action on his FB, has potential to dial up the speed as he physically develops in addition to refining his mechanics on off speed pitches. Another 90s throwing righty, sounds feisty, and is an honor student. Size is a concern, probably a reliever.

34th round: Skylar Janisse RHP- 6'4 200 lbs, HS. Skylar Janisse is a 6-foot-5, 206-pound righthander who played in the Under Armour All-American game last summer. His fastball is in the mid- to high 80s right now, but his arm works well and he's a great competitor on the mound. Janisse shows good feel for a CU and his CB is inconsistent. committed to Oakland. Perfect game = 89 mph. Lots of upside here.

32nd round: Garrett Nuss RHP- 6'2 185, HS. 93 mph FB. committed to University of Central Florida. His senior season he went 11-1 with a 0.96 ERA 93 K in 56 ip. father is his team’s pitching coach, has put in work to improve as a pitcher and he has gotten great results. Has 3 pitches, increasing velocity now sits from 90-94. Has CU that is a potential plus pitch and a 12/6 curve. Nuss- “Away from baseball? What do you mean? There is no away from baseball. It’s my life.”

29th round: Scott Hoffman RHP 6'4 205 lbs, HS. 92 mph FB. Committed to Arizona St. University. Ranked 54th best prospect nationally by MaxPrep. His stats for the season were a 13-0 record with a 2.01 ERA. He also had 76 strikeouts in 66 innings. 2nd team all state as DH. Can't find anything on what else he's got, but a high school kid throwing 92 with that body is scary.

28th round: Josean Lazaro RHP 6' 170 HS. Committed to Villanova. Senior year: 7-0 2.52 ERA 101 K 58.1 IP. He was clocked at 93 mph. He was selected as preseason All-American High Honorable Mention by Perfect Game USA. Lazaro has an athletic build, uses a 3/4 arm slot short arm action, good arm speed, very little effort, some arm side run, 11-5 curve ball with good bite, good pick off to first, fastball has good downward plane, solid command, easy motion. Good student.

26th round: Jordan Foley 6'4 205, HS. committed to Central Michigan Junior year 70 K in 68 IP and posting a 0.84 ERA. Another 90+ RHP (according to perfect game) with a solid build and good track record. If we sign some of these guys we might put together a surprising draft class.

20th round: Daniel Camarena, LHP, HS, CA. 6 walks in 49 innings this spring while striking out 76, illustrating his superb feel for pitching and ability to carve up the strike zone. worked hard to add strength and his velocity jumped a tick this spring, ranging from 87-91. his 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame lacks projection. He makes up for it with his polish and command. CU- scouts rate as an average pitch. already flashes a big league CB sometimes. Most scouts see Camarena's future on the mound, but he could be a standout two-way player in college. Strong mature build. Top level 2-way prospect. Has been primary LHP but may have higher ceiling as a hitter. varies FB velocity/movement/location, tops at 91 sinks it at 83-84 as well, big CB, nice CU. San Diego committed. Selected for the Aflac All-American team.
I think we gotta get this guy. He looks like he's gonna be a hoss.

18th round: Hayden Sharp, 6-6, 200, RHP HS, He is signed to play at Central Oklahoma. Nothing on his other pitches though, or his command. As a senior he was used mostly as a reliever and had 82 strikeouts. Keith Law on Twitter: Pop-up guy for the draft this year - Hayden Sharp from Morris, OK. Hit 98 on Thursday, lot of 93-96, quarterback committed to Ctrl Oklahoma

17th round: Matthew Troupe, RHP, Chaminade Prep (Calif.) High School. 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, lacks projection but has good feel for a solid three-pitch mix: an 87-91 mph FB, a tight cb and CU. has effort and head violence in his delivery, struggles to command to his arm side. Another 90+ throwing right hander out of HS. On the mound he went 4-2 with an amazing 1.14 ERA. In 49 innings he struck out 74 batters.

15th round: Tyler Molinaro RF 6'1 192. Finally a good hitting prospect. JUCO. had his coming out party in 2011. He lead the team in average, HR, RBI, and runs scored. His line looked like .396 average, 15 HR, 53 RBIs, and 60 runs in 49 games played. recruited to play at University of North Carolina Wilmington. Bats L, throws R. Molinaro has a tall, thin frame and offers power from the left side. Projectable bat, young enough, good pick.

14th Round - William Davis RHP 6'3" 235 HS. Comitted to ECU. He has a nickname of "rookie." Yankees drafted him as a pitcher and this season he went 9-0 with a 1.02 ERA. He also struck out 136 in only 61.1 innings. Over his four seasons in high school Davis was 25-4 with a 1.67 ERA and 415 strikeouts in 209.1 innings. 89-92 mph FB can sit 90-91. His CB has some shape cen be avg pitch at times.

13th round: Justin James, OF, Sacramento City College. The son of Dion James, Sacramento CC outfielder Justin James is making a name for himself on the diamond. Skipped senior year, and is clearly raw but shows five-tool potential. James is 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds and is an above-average runner. hits lefty, and he shows raw power in batting practice, even to the opposite field. Because of his frame, speed and raw power potential, James could go as high as the third round. During the 2011 season Justin hit .309 with 20 RBIs, 46 runs, and 19 stolen bases. Projectable with power, but hasn't shown it yet.

12th Round - Cody Grice CF 6' 220 Righty. Grice is out of his junior year at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. He had a great freshman year at Grand Valley. In 55 games he hit .411 with 5 HRs, 34 RBIs, and 45 runs. During his sophomore year he continued his dominance. He hit .455 with 6 HRs, 49 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases. 2011- He hit .381 with 4 HR, 59 RBIs, and 59 runs. He was second in RBIs and first in runs on his team. He also had 23 stolen bases.


Information was taken from http://roadtoyankeestadium.blogspot.com/, NYpost.com, and perfectgame.com, as well as some random articles I found.

Update: These are the guys we've signed so far.
24th round- Matt Tracy LHP- Mississippi- has made some relief appearances.
23rd round- Corey Maines RHP- Illinois state- also a reliever
21st round- Zach Wilson 1B- Arizona State- started with GCL I believe
19th round- Ben Paullus RHP- Tenn.- Reliever
16th round- Brandon Pinder RHP- Long Beach St.- Reliever
12th round- Cody Grice OF- Grand Valley st.- starts in SI
11th round- Mark Montgomery RHP- longwood- another reliever
9th round- Zach Arneson RHP- Lewis-Clark st- another reliever
8th round- Phil Wetherell RHP- Western Kentucky- ANOTHER reliever
1st round- Dante Bichette Jr. 3B- Orangewood Christian HS- starting 3B for GCL

That's 7 relief pitchers out of 10 signings, 6 of which are right handed. I guess the goal was to get some filler for the GCL/SI roster signed quickly. Relievers have a slow course through the minors so it's not a bad idea to get them started early. We already have most of our SP slots filled, and they can start their career next season if need be. All of the SP candidates will likely be Summer follows. Can't say I'm excited about too many of these guys, but I do like Cody Grice and Dante Bichette, and Zach Wilson has been good so far. Here's to hoping more of the guys from my previous post get signed at some point!!