Big Guy's Minor League Notes

2-10-08 --- OK Yankee fans the time has finally come. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training this week, finally. As always there will be plenty of new faces at ST. The Yankees will have about 70 players there. Here's a brief rundown of some of the new pitchers and catchers to watch out for.

PITCHERS:
Steven White: RHP, 4th round 2003. White missed the first 2 months of 07 with a shoulder problem but ended up with a very solid year at SWB. He was 6-4, with a 3.34 ERA, and a 1.28 WHIP. White pitched in relief at the fall league and his ML ready after 2 AAA seasons.

Alan Horne: RHP, stolen in the 11th round in 2005 Horne had a great year at AA Trenton being named Pitcher of the Year in the Eastern League. In 27 games, he went 12-4, with a 3.11 ERA, 165 K's, 57 BB, and a BAA.256, in 153 innings. He should start the season in the SWB rotation but could be switched to the pen if needed.

Jeff Marquez: RHP who was a 1st Rd-Supplemental pick in 2004, Marquez had a very good year at AA Trenton in 07 going 15-9, 3.65 ERA, WHIP 1.35. He threw 155 innings and had 99 K's---44 walks. Could start in the SWB rotation, also could be switched to the bullpen.

Daniel McCutchen: RHP, 13th round--2006. Dan started 07 at A-Tampa going 11-2 with .250 ERA at Tampa. Promoted to AA Trenton he pitched in 7 games going 3-2, 2.41 ERA, WHIP 1.02. Overall he threw 172 innings with 133 K's--39 walks. He'll probably start season at Trenton.

Mark Melancon: RHP, who was a 9th round in 2006. He was recovering from TJ surgery and missed the 07 season. The Yanks are very high on Mark and think he could be a big boost to the pen sometime later in the year. He'll start the year at Tampa.

Steven Jackson: Came to the Yanks in the Randy Johnson deal. Started in the SWB rotation in 07 but struggled going 4-8, 3.86 ERA. Was converted to reliever mid-year and sent down to Trenton where he relieved in 10 games, with 1 save, a 3.86 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.38.

Jonathan Albaladejo: Obtained from Washington for Tyler Clippard. Finished 07 with the Nats and pitched very well in 14 games in relief, and struck out 12, while walking only 2. He allowed a BAA of only .096, with an equally impressive 0.63 WHIP. He should definitely be in the mix for the bullpen.

Scott Strickland: RHP, Minor league free agent. He had TJ surgery a couple years ago. Played at AAA Portland in 07 (Padres) and had 15 relief appearances going 4-1, 4.58 ERA. David Cone mentioned on Yankees Hot Stove this week that he thinks he could end up being a big acquisition. In 236 games with the Expos, Mets, and Astros, he has a career 3.34 ERA, .250 BAA, and a 1.30 WHIP.

Heath Phillips: LHP, Minor league free agent. Lefty reliever 2007 AAA 13-7 as a starter with 4.30 ERA but finished strong at AAA going 9-0. Was a Sept call up with the White Sox and made 6 relief appearances and was 1-1, with a 3.68 ERA, and a WHIP 1.91.

Billy Traber: LHP, Minor league free agent: Another lefty reliever, he spent ‘07 with Washington, and in 28 games (39 innings), he struck out 27, while walking 13, and posted a WHIP of 1.59. Dan Giese: RHP, Minor league free agent. He pitched in the Giants organization in 07. As Sept call up he went 0-2, 4.82 ERA in 8 games (9.1 innings), with 7 K's, 2 BB, and a WHIP 1.07.

CATCHERS:
Francisco Cervelli: 2003 draft. He had a good year at A-Tampa hitting .279 in 89 games, with a .387 OBP, with 32 rbi. And he’s very good defensively. He'll start the year at Trenton.

Chase Weems: A 2007 6th round draft. Another player with very good tools, but hasn't played any pro games yet.

Kyle Anson: Converted outfielder with a great arm. He hit .272 at low A-Charlotte. Kyle had a .365 OBP in 98 games, 44 RBI.

P.J. Pilitterre: He played 100 games at Trenton hitting .261, with a .318 OBP, and 34 RBI. He'll start at SWB.

Austin Romine: Romine was a 2007 2nd round draft pick. He’s got very good tools has yet to play any pro games.

Chase Weems: Weems was drafted in the 6th round draft in 2007. Another player with very good tools, but hasn't played any pro games yet.


NOTES: Yanks signed free agent infielders Chris Woodward and Morgan Ensburg to minor league deals with ST invitations. They also invited Eduardo Nunoz to ST.

(As always we'd like to thank Big Guy for his great contributions)