Big Guy's Minor League Notes

WINTER LEAGUE NOTES: Alberto Gonzalez (Bravos) and Scott Patterson (Lara) are still playing in the Venezuelan Winter league playoffs. Its a round robin system to pick the teams that play in the title game. Scott Patterson took a month off for the holidays and returned to help Lara in the playoffs. They're currently tied for 1st place in the round robin. He's pitched in relief in 7 games and picked up 1 win in 7.1. innings. He's thrown over 110 innings since the start of the 07 season. He had an excellent year at AA Trenton appearing in 43 games with a 1.04 ERA, .170 BAA. In 74 innings at AA he had 91 K's---15 BB. Alberto Gonzalez is hitting .278 for the Bravos. The slick fielding SS had a very good VWL regular season. In 34 games he hit .341, OBP .394. Patterson will be in the SWB bullpen and Gonzalez will be the SWB starting SS in 08.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brett Gardner

Brett Gardner got promoted to AAA SWB on July 12th and his first game was indicative of his talent. SWB played against the Louisville Bats (Reds). Pitching phenom Homer Bailey is on the mound. Gardner works a walk off Bailey. Gardner is a true base stealing threat and has the best speed in the organization. He takes huge leads off 1st and Bailey throws over about half a dozen times. Bailey is rattled and balks. Gardner moves to 2nd and quickly proceeds to steal 3rd base. He then scores on a single. That's the kind of excitement this young player brings to the game.

Offense: At AA Trenton he hit .300 in 54 games with an OBP of .392, despite missing 5 weeks with a broken hand. At SWB he hit .260 and was a slap hitter with great speed and a very good bunter. He hit a lot of balls to the opposite field. They worked with him in the Arizona Fall League to pull the ball more into the gaps. He had great fall league hitting .343 in 26 games with a OBP of .433.

Defense: Very good defensive centerfielder. His great speed allows him to run down most balls hit in his direction. He's not afraid of the wall either. He missed 10 games after crashing into the wall at SWB last year. He has an average but accurate arm.

Outlook: Gardner is the prototypical leadoff hitter with his speed and ability to bunt. His only question is whether he'll hit enough for average to be a ML starter. If not he'll be a very good 4th outfielder and give the Yankees tools they haven't had in a while. At the very least he'll be a Sept callup if he doesn't make it to NY sooner. This is based on my personal observations.

NOTES: The Yankees invited 26 non-roster players to spring training. Andrew Brackman, 1st round draft pick is at the Tampa facility working out with the rest of the young pitchers. He's recovering from TJ surgery and is supposed to begin a throwing program soon. The SWB team plays an exhibition game at AA Trenton April 1st. SWB opens the season at home against Lehigh Valley (Phillies) on April 3rd.

(as alway I thank "Big Guy" for his great contributions)