Yankee Minor League notes

[jacksonianmarch]

You guys ever going to promote Venditte? I've always found him a fascinating concept' date=' and he seems to be doing well enough to get a showing.[/quote']

 

just found out he has a labral tear in his right arm. Not sure what that means for him anyway since scouts view him as a LOOGY in the bigs anyway, but so be it

[jacksonianmarch]

Charleston must be loving all the prospects they have received. That team is the most interesting team to watch in our system.

 

Mason Williams has cooled down, but still has a circa .800OPS and 14 steals while playing GG caliber D.

 

Tyler Austin is absolutely abusing the level. He has a .327/.402/.668 triple slash line with 13 homers, 36 extra base hits, and 13 steals.

 

Gary Sanchez has gotten white hot of late. After not hitting a homer in April, he has hit 7 homers in May and has stolen 8 bases to go along with a cool .848OPS.

 

Angelo Gumbs sucked in April. But in May, he exploded. His OPS sits at .766, but he 5 of his 6 homers in May and ended up stealing 14 of his 19 bases. All of the above players are either 19 or 20, so they are all very young for their league.

 

Other notables at that level. Dante Bichette started off poorly, but has started hitting of late. The power is a little late to the party, but he did hit his first homer of the yr.

 

Ben Gamel is hitting .288 with 10 steals.

 

Anderson Feliz was hitting .318 when he went on the DL.

 

Cito Culver has had a lot of trouble hitting the ball, but his eye and glove are keeping him on the prospect boards. Add in the 12 steals and his speed makes things interesting as well, but he is a project.

 

Bryan Mitchell, another Yankees top 10 prospect, has dominated the SAL. 52K's in 48IP. Troubled initially by the walks, but his WHIP sits at 1.16 and the ERA at 2.40. He is really looking good too

[jacksonianmarch]

Rafael DePaula is dominating the DSL. Some may be wondering why he is starting all the way back there, well, he had some sort of family issue and needed to remain in the Dominican this yr. He obtained his visa, he has passed his investigation and will likely make his stateside debut next yr. He was dominant in 3 starts thus far, throwing 13 innings, allowing 14 baserunners and striking out 17. His velo is reportedly mid 90s and his stuff should play well in either SI or Charleston next yr

[Meh]

Sanchez and Williams with some jacks today.

 

I did a top 10 for the red sox, it's about mid season in the minors so here's my top yankees list

 

1. Mason Williams- Proving he can hit in full season ball. A four and a half tool guy, still working on the power but it's showing signs of life.

2. Gary Sanchez- Basically 1A. You can sit here all day and flip these guys in order. Sanchez is an exciting prospect, I just hope we don't trade him for Trevor Bauer in two years and Bauer has to be out with TJS or shoulder surgery.

3. Manny Banuelos- Not that I don't like Manny any less but Williams and Sanchez have produced this year. I still believe in Manny and IMO he's still a top 40, maybe even top 30/35 prospect in the game but he just needs to focus on getting healthy.

4. Jose Campos- My favorite prospect and someone I can see coming back 100% and being the best piece in the Montero/Pineda trade. Ace type arm.

5. Tyler Austin- The guy just hits, I hope he can advance(with Sanchez) to Tampa and prove himself worthy at that level by the end of the season.

6. Rafael DePaula- Very exciting prospect. Having some family trouble right now, wish him the best with that. Power arm, gotta respect him.

7. Bryan Mitchell- Another personal favorite. Power arms are always nice. Having a good year, although could be better.(IMO he could be a top 3 in the system next year)

8. Ty Hensley- I almost put him 7th. Also I'm assuming he signs. Very excited about his arm, I think we got great value with this pick.

9. Dante Bichette Jr- Up and Down year, but still having a fine first full season. No problems with the 2011 first round selection.

10. Angelo Gumbs- Overlooked, maybe its cause his stats don't make you jizz yourself but he's very young still and holding his own. The SB and solid contact stills are very exciting, if things start to click... could be dangerous for other teams with his bat speed.

11. Slade Heathcott- MY BOY! Always have and always will be a Slade fan. Wish him a healthy rest of the year.

12. Matt Tracy- Having a really good year. He doesn't get the hype others do, but he's a nice prospect.

13. Austin Aune- Million dollar bonus baby for a reason.

14. Ravel Santana- Health is the key with him to fullfilling his five tool potential.

15. Mark Montgomery- This time next year he could be a key in our bullpen. Strikeout machine, good stuff.

16. Dellin Betances- I'm not this down on Dellin, but I'm just higher on others.

17. Austin Romine

18. JR Murphy

19. Greg Bird

20. Brett Marshall

21. Adam Warren

22. Taylor Morton

23. Ronnie Mustelier

24. Nathan Mikolas

25. Nik Turley- Probably too low but I forgot about him.

26. Ramon Flores- Coming around lately.

27. Daniel Camarena

28. Peter O'Brien

29. Chase Whitley

30. Cito Culver

[jacksonianmarch]

I'd probably drop DePaula since he's still in the DSL and he's older. I'd go with Gumbs in that slot. I'd also put Omar Luis Rodriguez in the top 20. This kid is the goods.

 

Also, Betances is still top 10, IMO. Once he is moved to the pen, where he belongs, you'll see why

[Meh]

Where would you have that cuban pitcher? i don't know much about him.

[jacksonianmarch]

19 yr old, was good in the cuban league, made american kids (including Bubba Starling) look silly in his trip on the cuban junior national team and showed increased velo of late (93mph). I'd have him in the 15 range until we see what he can do

 

BTW, Mason Williams might be our answer to Jacoby Ellsbury. He hit his 8th HR today. This from a guy who didnt have any power. 4 of his homers have come in the last 5 games. 8HR, 18 steals, .300+ average and only 20 yrs old. Why the f*** is he still in Charleston?

[jacksonianmarch]

Rafael DePaula is really getting hurt by needing to stay in the Dominican this yr. He has dominated in his 21IP. Only 22 baserunners and 32K coming off 5 1 hit innings yesterday. The guy should be in Tampa or Charleston right now.

[jacksonianmarch]

Yankees moving and shakin....

 

Sent to Charleston- Jose Tuossen, Eduardo Sosa, Tyson Blaser

Sent to Tampa- Tyler Austin, Gary Sanchez, Mason Williams, Kyle Higashioka

Sent to Trenton- JR Murphy, Rob Segedin, Neil Medchill

 

The big movers there are Austin, Sanchez, Williams, and Murphy.

 

JR Murphy struggled early on in Tampa, hitting to a .650OPS through May with only 2 homers and 14RBI. But he came alive in June, hitting .314/.355/.500 with 3 homers and 13RBI. It was enough for him to move past a God awful offensive league into the more hitter friendly Eastern League. He remains on the fringe of the Yankees top 10 and will be one of the youngest players in AA at a freshly turned 21

 

Tyler Austin finishes his low A career with a slash line of .320/.405/.598 with 14HR and 17SB in 70 games as a 20 yr old. He will move up to High A where he will man RF for the recently departed Rob Segedin. Austin will have some trouble replicating his power numbers in a very power suppressed league with high heat, big parks, and no crowds. High A is less a proving ground and more a survival tactic for prospects everywhere

 

Gary Sanchez finishes his low A career after having to repeat it from last yr. He finishes low A this season with a line of .297/.353/.517 with 13HR and 11SB in 68 games. He will take over the full time catching duties recently departed by the promoted JR Murphy. Sanchez is still 19 and will be one of the youngest players in the league

 

Mason Williams finished his low A career with a triple slash line of .304/.359/.489 with 8HR and 19SBs. Williams was always gonna hit for average, but the bump in power was a nice find for the 20 yr old. He is starting to hit for more power to all fields and as he fills out, he could be a Jacoby Ellsbury type of player with 30+ steals and 20+HR power. He will slot into CF in Tampa and hope to survive.

 

Rob Segedin is the last prospect on this list here. He's a 23 yr old college draftee from 2010 who thrived in Tampa, while others suffered. His slash line was solid at .297/.362/.448 with 7HR. The power was coming along nicely into early May, but he's hit 1 HR in a month and a half. He's more a corner OFer who can play some 3b and should see a bump in power as he moves out of the pitching hell hole of the FSL.

[jacksonianmarch]

The next guy to move should be Ramon Flores. He's only 20, but he has started to hit the cover off the ball in High A. He's hitting .405 in his last 10 games with 2 homers. He's hitting .292 with 4HR in an extreme pitcher's league as well as 11 steals. He should be moved to AA where he can blossom into the solid hitter he should become.

 

And Rafael Depaula continues to dominate the DSL. 4IP in his last start (they're building up hit arm) 2H, 0ER, 1BB and 7K. The kid should be in Charleston or Tampa right now.

[jacksonianmarch]

Looks like Connor Mullee blew out his elbow again. Looks to be the end of the road for him. He looked dominant and promising 2 yrs ago.

[jacksonianmarch]

The yr of the injury continues. Mason Williams out for the yr following labrum surgery

[jacksonianmarch]

One guy who has really been buried in this system has re-emerged at the right time. Zoilo Almonte, the 23 yr old switch hitter out of the Dominican has quietly been very, very good. Slash line of .284/.326/.517 with 20HR and 15SBs. He's a solid corner OFer with a good arm and plus speed in RF who is starting to really put the power into his game. His regression in the walk department is a little concerning, and likely caps his ceiling in NY as a platoon OFer (he mashes as a lefty, he sucks as a righty...900OPS lefty, .600OPS righty). But if he can grow his pitch selection as he grows, he might be something more. He should be in AAA when the yr ends and will likely be an option next yr, especially if Andruw moves on after the season

[mvp 78]

when it rains it pours. Banuelos to the DL with elbow pain. MRI pending

 

Banuelos is to have TJS and be out for 2013.

[jacksonianmarch]

I've been saying this for months. Why the f*** did they wait so long?

[mvp 78]

I've been saying this for months. Why the f*** did they wait so long?

 

Doesn't make any sense. Possibly a dumber decision than trying to have Crawford play through it. TJS isn't a career killer, but forcing him to miss the majority of 2 really important developmental years may be.

[Meh]

My top 10 Yankees prospect list....

 

1. Mason Williams, when I first started to follow the Yankees farm, we drafted Austin Jackson. I watched him move up each level, but I was never a huge fan cause in my youth I was all about power. I've wised up and know a guy like Williams will impact this team beyond anything I could of dreamed of back in 2005/2006. I'm really excited to see Williams up in the majors, hopefully as a September call up in 2014.

2. Gary Sanchez, I have a feeling we'll have two top 15 prospects this time next year in Williams and Sanchez. Sanchez follows Montero's hype. Reports are he's supposed to be a better catcher too, but I'm not sure what to believe, but I do believe in his bat.

3. Slade Heathcott, Austin would of edged him out but after his numbers in AFL... you could make a case he's #1 in the system. he's got the tools, but does he have the health? I love how he plays all out. Give 110% on the field, and you should have the respect for any man.

4. Tyler Austin, Austin makes me feel good about the scouting we have. Finding a gem like him is better than finding a gem in the first few rounds in the draft. He's not a HOF, but I think he could be a very solid guy in the lineup, something how Youk was for the Red Sox or even O'Neil was for the Yankees.

5. Jose Campos, sure he lost almost the entire year to injury, but I LOVE his stuff. He could be a legit ACE in the making with 2012 just being a bump in the road.

6. Jose Rafeal DePaula, Stuff alone puts him here for me.

7. Ty Hensley, really excited to see how this guy does in his first full year. I'm not expecting him to have great numbers, just learn how things are done and improve himself as a pitcher in 2013. 2014 is when I expect him to make a push up the lists.

8. Manny Banuelos, two back to back lost years for injuries, really sucks to see.

9. Angelo Gumbs, I'm a believer in the swing.

10. Dellin Betances, why do I have him here? I believe he'll make an excellent closer. In fact if we don't sign Soira I think he'll be the closer in 2013.

 

Sleeper: Jose Ramirez. I think he breaks out this year. Big time fastball to boot.

[jacksonianmarch]

The Yankees are moving Tyler Austin to 3b for the start of the 2013 season. He should start in AA this yr and with his bat, he could be an option in the Bronx come the ASB. If Youkilis sucks nuggets and ARoid cannot stay on the infield for his return, Austin could be the next line of defense

[Meh]

BA's 11-31 Yankees list. Some surprises for me. Joseph 27th, I'd put him a tad higher. Same with Black. Goody and Cote not listed is a puzzler for me.

 

 

11. Montgomery

12. Flores

13. Mitchell

14. Turley

15. Murphy

16. Ramirez

17. Romine

18. Mesa

19. Betnances

20, Aune

21. Bichette Jr

22. Bird

23. Adams

24. Warren

25. Black

26. Tracy

27. Joseph

28. Culver

29. Kahnle

30. Encinas

31. Santana

[jacksonianmarch]

I am surprised Santana slipped so far. He's a highly talented kid coming off a bad injury and wasnt right last yr for most of the yr. He started to show his talents again in instructs. A lot of these rankings involve ceiling and Santana's ceiling is as high as anyones on the list

[Meh]

Yeah Santana has a ton more talent than Culver and I believe he had a better year too, but yet Culver is 28th. It's just politics imo since Culver is more of a name than Santana.

[jacksonianmarch]

Bird is also way too low. He's a beast who will be unleashed this yr in Charleston, IMO. He's a guy with top notch power with a good hit skill. Cave should be on the list as well. Goody will end up getting discovered when he tears through Charleston this yr. Cote had shoulder woes this past yr and low some velo. I agree with his ranking outside the top 31.

[jacksonianmarch]

Keith Law finally giving the Yankees their due with 4 guys in the top 100 and another player in the first 10 out category. He has the Yankees #10 in the game and the sox #18. If Campos and Banuelos had been healthy, we'd have had 6 guys in the top 100. The funny thing is, we got a huge haul from the draft last yr, we have an even bigger haul coming and we are coming off one of the most snake bitten seasons in minor league history (at least that I can remember). If we even have a decent yr, this farm will be top 5.

[jacksonianmarch]

Jose Ramirez has burst onto the scene in Spring Training and is catching the eye of Joe Girardi. Prior to 2012, he had some issues with command (4BB/9IP) and was getting hit around a little. He repeated high A in 2012 and dominated, got the K rate up, the BB rate down and had a phenomenal 3-1 K/BB rate with less hits than innings pitched. Add to that a mid 90s fastball that tops out at 100mph, a now plus change and an inconsistent but flashing plus slider and you have the makings of an ace level pitcher. He dominated the sox and pitches yesterday where he dominated the Braves. Looks like he is coming into his own and should be in AA to start the yr. Should the Yankees need a pen arm late in the yr, Ramirez might end up serving there once he gets close to his starting inning cap

 

And depending on the publication, Ramirez is anywhere from our #16-#20 prospect. The only national writer who gives him any love is Law since he physically saw him last yr, came away impressed and had him in the first 10 out part of his top 100. If he shows he is healthy in 2012 and replicates what he did in 2012 while in AA, he will be a top 50 or higher prospect no doubt

[jacksonianmarch]

My sleeper for 2013 is Greg Bird. He's a big, lefty hitting guy who was drafted 2 yrs ago out of HS. He signed late, so missed 2011 pro ball. He was drafted as a catcher, but a back injury last yr scrapped that idea and they moved him to 1b. He's showing some good defensive skills at 1b, albeit he is raw. His bat, though, is highly advanced. After recovering from his back strain, he hit .337 with a .944OPS between GCL and NYP and is poised to be unleashed on the SAL this yr. He is tearing the cover off the ball in ST as well. He has the discipline to reach base at a high clip, he makes good contact enough to hit for a high average and he has now power with some room to develop that puts him as a potential perennial 30HR hitter. As long as the back doesnt bark again, this kid has the looks of a special talent. I expect him to have a very good season as a 20 yr old in the long season leagues and will likely see High A by the time the yr is through

[jacksonianmarch]

David Adams was released today. Stupid f***ing move

[jacksonianmarch]

Our 1st rounder from 2012 is out 2-3 months after hip surgery. The entire org is f***ing snakebit

[jacksonianmarch]

Vidal Nuno might be the next guy in line for work if the Yankees need pitching. He's a lefty starter who dominated ST and thus far has been a pretty impressive player in the MiLB career for NY. The Guardians drafted him out of college, he had two lackluster yrs in the minors then got to the Yankees as a FA. They tweaked his mechanics a bit and worked on his arsenal and since then, he's been untouchable. He has a sub 2 per 9 career walk rate and since coming to the Yankee side, he's struck out around a batter an inning. He doesnt throw hard, topping out at 90 and mostly sitting around 88mph, but he can command his fastball impreccably as well as his curve, slider and change. While none are plus pitches, all are at least big league average and can all be spotted on a dime. He has started out 2013 with a 20-1 K-BB ratio with a 1.53ERA and a 0.62WHIP.

[jacksonianmarch]

Gabe Encinas has been the surprise so far through the first 2 months of workouts and the first 3 weeks of the season. He came to camp in great shape and consistently throwing mid 90s. His change and breaking ball have been improved as a result and he has dominated the long season leagues in his first taste of them to the tune of a 0.39ERA. He's now thrown 23IP, allowing 1ER, 11H, while striking out 20 and walking only 7. If he keeps this up, he'll be in High A by the time summer hits

[jacksonianmarch]

Trenton just pasted Matt Barnes tonight while we saw Jose Ramirez throw 4 dominant innings of relief in the same game. They're bringing him along shortly, but if Nova is out for an extended period of time, this kid is going to be in the bigs in some capacity very soon. Probably as a swing guy a la Phelps from last yr, but likely to be in the rotation by season's end