Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Baseball Prospectus' Top 101 Prospects

How about another prospect list? We've only had about 50 so far, so what's one more?

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus recently came out with his list of the top 101 prospects. One Yankee made the list, Jesus Montero, who came in at no. 4. Two former Yankees, Arodys Vizcaino (46), Austin Jackson (49) and Jose Tabata (90) also made the list.

Here's the top ten:

1. Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Nationals
2. Jason Heyward, OF, Braves
3. Neftali Feliz, RHP, Rangers
4. Jesus Montero, C, Yankees
5. Mike Stanton, OF, Marlins
6. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pirates
7. Desmond Jennings, OF, Rays
8. Carlos Santana, C, Indians
9. Buster Posey, C, Giants
10. Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds (I still wish the Yankees signed this guy.)

For the full list, click here.

To Girardi, Batting 2nd is All About OBP

From Marc Carig:

"On-base is extremely important to me because the guys behind him can all hit the ball out of the ballpark," Girardi said, again not naming names. "So, yes, you'd love to have a guy that had an extremely high on-base percentage that can run and hit for power. But if you had that guy he might hit somewhere else."

But what about speed? Shouldn't the guy hitting second have enough speed to avoid double plays?

"You like to have guys who can run," Girardi said. "But as I said, because of the guys in front of him, that becomes less important. You don't have to be a flyer."

Johnson's career OBP - .402.

Granderson's career OBP - .344.

It would appear that Nick Johnson is currently in the lead for that no. 2 spot.

Spring Training Game 2: Yankees @ Phillies

ST Game 2

Yankees @ Phillies
Bright House Field - Clearwater, FL
Game Time: 1:05 p.m.
TV/Radio: MLBN (tape delay), MLB.TV

Here are the lineups:

YANKEES (1-0)
Brett Gardner CF
~~Nick Johnson~~ Jamie Hoffmann DH
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Randy Winn LF
Juan Miranda 1B
Ramiro Pena SS
Brandon Laird 3B

LHP CC Sabathia (19-8, 3.37 ERA in '09)

PHILLIES (0-0)
Jimmy Rollins SS
Placido Polanco 3B
Ben Francisco CF
Jayson Werth RF
John Mayberry LF
Cody Ransom 1B
Juan Castro 2B
Brian Bocock DH
Carlos Ruiz C

RHP Roy Halladay (17-10, 2.79 ERA in '09)

News & Notes

- The Yankees will limit CC Sabathia to 35 pitches or two innings of work today.

- No Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson or Mark Teixeira today, they did not make the trip.

- Expect these guys to see some action today: C Austin Romine, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Eduardo Nunez, SS Reegie Corona, 3B Jorge Vazquez, LF Colin Curtis, CF Reid Gorecki, RF David Winfree, and DH Jesus Montero.

- Nick Johnson was scratched from today's lineup with a stiff lower back.

Stick around and discuss the game

as it happens in the comments section.

The Drama Continues For A-Rod

From Ben Shpigel:

For Rodriguez, it was a fine day on the field, as it often is. But in the clubhouse, it was another matter, as he again had to deal with questions tied to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Before the game, Rodriguez told reporters there was nothing new to say about when he would meet with federal authorities. They want to ask Rodriguez what he knows about Anthony Galea, a Toronto-based doctor who has been charged by Canadian authorities with conspiring to smuggle drugs and is under investigation in this country by various federal authorities.

...

But a meeting with federal investigators — something Rodriguez is believed not to have had — comes with more stringent parameters. The person being questioned is essentially under oath and can face criminal charges if the authorities conclude he was not truthful.

Several athletes have been punished in recent years because of their statements to federal authorities. For example, the track star Marion Jones pleaded guilty in 2007 to lying to federal agents about her use of performance-enhancing drugs and was sentenced to six months in prison.

... Rodriguez was asked by reporters Monday if Galea had ever treated him and replied: “I can’t really get into that. You’ll know within time, all at the same time.”

Several people who have been briefed on the investigation said federal authorities had been told that Galea treated Rodriguez at some point. They did not want to be identified because they were discussing a continuing investigation.

The Yankees themselves are not sure what to think. They do not know if Galea treated Rodriguez; they know only that they did not authorize Galea to do so.

This is all just frustrating to this Yankees fan. I really thought last year was the turning point for A-Rod. It all started with being outed as a steroid user--the low point of his career. Then, he suffered the first major injury of his career, putting his season in doubt. It was rock-bottom for A-Rod. But he fought through it all, came back sooner than expected, had a very good regular season, and then led the Yankees to their 27th world championship.

Now, we have this crap. More questions about PEDs, more suspicion, and another distraction for A-Rod and the team around him.

Like I said the other day, I'm not going to jump to conclusions and assume he's guilty of anything besides dealing with a doctor he probably shouldn't have. I know he was tested a few times last year and since he hasn't been suspended I have to assume that they all came back clean. So, for now, there's no reason to believe he used again. But could you imagine if it's found out that he was using HGH while recovering from hip surgery?

Yanks Sign Indy Leaguer Myron Leslie

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, the Yankees have signed INF Myron Leslie to a minor-league deal. Leslie, 27, was drafted by the Athletics in the 8th round of the 2004 MLB Amateur Draft and spent five seasons in their minor league system, never playing above Double-A.

Last year he played on the New Jersey Jackals of the Canadian-American Association and hit .272/.410/.494 with 18 HR and 75 RBI. He was mainly a 3rd baseman in the Oakland system, but last year played most of his games at first base. He's also played both corner outfield spots, and even a handful of games at 2nd.

Thames Looking To Impress

Via Mark Feinsand:

“I know what I’m coming in for and what’s ahead of me, so I’ll give it 100 percent and see what happens,” Thames said. “My last six years have pretty much been the same way. Nothing has been guaranteed, so I’ve gone into spring training with one goal: do what I can do, open some eyes up and whatever happens after that, happens.”

...

“I was 23 the last time I was in this camp, so it’s a whole lot different,” he said. “I’ve played against a majority of guys in here, I’ve played with Jeter, Mariano, Posada and some guys, so all of that makes it easier to relax, play well and have fun.”

I'm still trying to figure out what the Yankees truly need out of that final roster spot. Do they need the better defensive player with more speed (Hoffmann) or do they need the guy with more pop who has proven he can hit major league pitching (Thames)?

Earlier this week, I predicted Jamie Hoffmann was going to get the final spot on that roster, and I still feel that way. But you never know, it all depends on what the Yankees needs are.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

How Fitting: Yanks Start Off 2010 With A Walk-Off

FINAL	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	3	3	1
NY Yankees	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	3	6	7	2

WP: Sanit (1-0)
LP: Vasquez (0-1)

The Yankees opened up their spring schedule with a bang today, winning the way they did so many time last year, with a walk-off homer to beat the Pirates 6-3. Sure, it came off the bat of Colin Curtis, a guy who likely won't see 1 major league at-bat this year, but it's got to be a good omen. At least that's how I'm going to look at it.

Their first three runs came in the sixth to break a 0-0 tie. Ramiro Pena got things going with a solo shot off former Yankee Steven Jackson to put the Yankees on the board and give them a one-run lead. Later in the inning, Nick Johnson doubled in a run and would then score the Yanks third run on a Jon Weber single.

While it's the first game of spring and any kind of analysis of pitchers is somewhat pointless, the Yankees did look pretty good on the mound today, especially three of the guys who are fighting for that fifth spot in the rotation. Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre, and Alfredo Aceves each pitched two scoreless innings. The three allowed a total of one hit (off Guadin), no walks, and each struck out a batter.

The only Yankees pitcher to get hit hard today was Jonathan Albaladejo, who allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits without retiring a batter. Royce Ring, Jason Hirsh, and Amaury Sanit pitched the final three innings for the Yanks.

YANKEES BOX:

	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Jeter, SS	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Nunez, E, SS	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.500
Granderson, CF	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Golson, CF	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Teixeira, 1B	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Johnson, N, 1B	2	1	1	1	0	1	0	.500
Rodriguez, A, 3B	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	.500
Laird, 3B	2	1	1	0	0	1	1	.500
Thames, DH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
a-Weber, J, PH-DH	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.500
Hoffmann, RF	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000
Winfree, RF	2	0	0	0	0	1	3	.000
Gardner, LF	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000
Curtis, LF	2	1	1	3	0	0	0	.500
Cervelli, C	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000
Rivera, Mi, C	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Pena, R, 2B	2	1	1	1	0	0	0	.500
Corona, 2B	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Totals	32	6	7	5	0	8	11
a-Reached on error for Thames in the 6th.
BATTING 2B: Johnson, N (1, Jackson, S). HR: Pena, R (1, 6th inning off Jackson, S, 0 on, 0 out), Curtis (1, 9th inning off Vasquez, V, 2 on, 1 out). TB: Nunez, E; Johnson, N 2; Rodriguez, A; Laird; Weber, J; Curtis 4; Pena, R 4. RBI: Pena, R (1), Johnson, N (1), Curtis 3 (3). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: Cervelli 2; Winfree. Team RISP: 2-for-10. Team LOB: 3. BASERUNNING SB: Nunez, E (1, 2nd base off Jackson, S/Kratz). CS: Cervelli (1, 2nd base by Bass/Doumit). FIELDING E: Gaudin (1, pickoff), Golson (1, throw).

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Gaudin	2.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Mitre	2.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Aceves, A	2.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Albaladejo	0.0	2	3	2	0	0	0	--
Ring (BS, 1)	1.1	0	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Hirsh	0.2	0	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
Sanit (W, 1-0)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00