BigGuy's Minor League Notes - Dec. 12-22

WINTER LEAGUE NOTES: Robinson Cano continues to hit well in the Dominican League for Estrelles. In 7 games he's hitting .393 (11-28), 3 rbi, 1 double, OBP .400, Slg .429, 0K's and 1 walk...........Jonathan Albaladejo reliever picked up from the Nats gave up his 1st earned run in the last 10 games. In 27 games he has 4 saves, 26 IP, 7 earned runs, 23 hits, 20K's--8 BB, BAA--.240........Alberto Gonzalez in 29 games in the VWL is batting .336 (36-107), with 3hr and 12 rbi, he has a .388 OBP, and is slugging .495........Jose Veras could be finished for the winter. He hasn't pitched in a week. In 9 games, 2 saves, 8.2 IP, 1 earned run, 4 hits, 13 K's--4BB, BAA of .138 ........Edwar Ramirez after pitching in only 2 games in the middle of Nov., pitched in a game last week, giving up 1 run in .2 IP. Overall in 3 games, he’s thrown 2.2 IP, and given up 2 earned runs, 2 hits, while striking out 2 and walking 3.

SCOUTING REPORT: This week’s prospect is RHP Jeff Marquez. 1st round pick--2004. Marquez had a very good year at AA Trenton going 15-9, with 3.55ERA, a .270 BAA in 155 IP; he also struck out 94, while only walking 44 batters. Marquez throws a 2 seam fastball at 93 with good command and sink on it. He also throws a 4 seam fastball that can hit 95, but without the good command and sink of the 2 seam. He also has a plus change and developing curve. He's not a strikeout pitcher, more of a groundball pitcher.

NOTES: Yanks have signed Nick Green and Mike Woodward to minor league deals. Green has an opt-out clause at the end of March if he doesn't make the ML team as a utility infielder. Yanks also resigned Darrell Rasner to a minor league deal and are trying to resign outfielder Bronson Sardinha to a minor league deal. Chad Jennings over at SWB BLOG tells us that Yankee VP Mark Newmann recently said pitchers Mark Melancon and J B Cox, both recovering from TJ surgery, would be at ST, and expects them to start their minor league rehab at Single A Tampa. They could be in NY in a few months if they progress. Humberto Sanchez will not be ready, if at all, until late in the season. He had his surgery in April. The SWB coaching staff was announced. This years Manager of the Year, Dave Miley will return. Also returning to the staff is hitting coach Butch Wynegar and infield-3rd base coach Alvaro Espinoza. Replacing Dave Eiland as pitching coach will be Raphael Chavez.

(This will be a weekly feature on this blog, we thank "BigGuy" for his great contributions)