Some High Priase For Brackman

I know everyone is sick of the A-Rod thing, so how about a little info on the 2007 no. 1 draft pick, Andrew Brackman?

Here's what Mark Teixeira had to say after watching Brackman throw yesterday:

Andrew Brackman also threw, facing several minor- leaguers, including well-regarded catching prospect Jesus Montero. "Brackman is going to be great," said Teixeira, who had watched the 6-foot-10 right-hander. "His delivery is very smooth, and he's right on top of you."

Peter Abraham added this:

Brackman was fun to watch, especially when he faced Jesus Montero. Now keep in mind that the hitters aren’t really doing much hitting in live BP. They’re tracking the ball and letting the pitchers work on whatever they’re trying to do. But Montero did take a couple of cuts and made solid contact a few times.

Brackman has a lot fewer moving parts in his delivery than I expected. He sort of brings the ball from behind his ear and has a nice downward plane to his delivery. But I can’t see him in the majors before the end of the 2010 season. The Yankees will keep him in Tampa and there’s a chance he sees Trenton this year. He has so little experience and probably knows next to nothing about holding runners, fielding his position and setting hitters up.

Then there was this earlier in the week from George King:

Right-hander Andrew Brackman, the club's No. 1 pick in 2007 draft, threw in the bullpen and impressed manager Joe Girardi, who caught him in a bullpen session late last season in St. Petersburg, Fla.

"I saw a big difference. He was impressive, throwing downhill and strikes," Girardi said. "He was only throwing fastballs and split change-ups.

Also, according to Kat O'Brien, Brackman has lost 40 LBS since last February, going from 270 to 230.

The kid has tremendous raw talent, and he's still very young. With proper coaching he could be a dominating force in a year or two.

To take a look at his college stats click here.