Yankee Catching

While we're waiting for the hot stove to heat up, we have some time to look at the Yankee Minor League system. Probably the deepest position in the system is catcher, though both pitcher, OF and 2B also have a lot of guys.


The Yankees' number one catching prospect and one of the top prospects in baseball is Jesus Montero. In 2009 Jesus started the season in the pitcher friendly FSL, and he absolutely destroyed it putting up a .989 OPS there in 48 games. He then went up to the pitcher friendly Eastern Leauge and put up a .909 OPS in 44 games before ending his season early because of injury. And he did all of that as a 19 year old., and if we ever get the park and league adjustments on what he did, it will be even more impressive. As he moves through the system, more and more people are realizing that he probably will stay at catcher. He has a plus arm and at 6'4" presents a big target for pitchers who reportedly like throwing to him.


Next in line for the Yanks, but probably no longer their number 2 catching prospect is Austin Romine. Austin started the season splitting time with Montero in the FSL, then took over the full time job when Jesus was promoted and ended up winning FSL player of the year. He was 20 all season, and put up a .763 OPS, which was good for a pitchers park and pitchers league, but not quite as good as it was last year. At the end of the season, he started to walk more, which is basically the key to whether he'll be an above average major league catcher, or just an average guy. He'll be spending his age 21 season in AA, so he's got time and he seems to have gotten the message. He was off to a great start in the AFL this year, but was shut down with a little injury. He has a plus arm and plus release and is a little quicker back there than Montero, though there are some who think Montero's defense is now better than Romine's.


Chase Weems was traded to the Reds for Jerry Hairston Jr. opening up a prospect gap. The next catcher in line is Kyle Higashioka. Kyle spent his age 19 season catching for SI in the very collegiately flavored NYPL. Kyle was prettty average with the bat and didn't show much power, hitting around .250 and OPSing under .700, but his BB's were close to his K's 25/31 and that shows a pretty good approach regardless of the numbers he put up mostly playing with older kids. What's more, he's leaderly, and probably ahead of both Jesus and Romine in terms of his D. He's a very natural catcher and they think he will hit going forward. He should start the season in low A Charleston, though a promotion to the FSL could be possible considering the trade of Weems and what we have behind him.


Francisco Arcia spent his age 19 season in the same place he spent his age 18 season, in the GCL, but this time he hit. Arcia was signed a few years ago as an undersized catcher who they knew would need time to grow. He surprised everyone by putting up and .850 OPS as a 17 year old in the DSL, so they sent him to the states as an 18 year old where he really didn't hit much at all. This year he bounced back with a .712 OPS where his BB/K was 11/16 indicated a solid approach. He too could be headed for low A Charleston. And he better step on it because there are three catchers right behind him who could really move.


JR Murphy was a 2009 draft pick who signed a bit late and put on a show in the GCL. The 18 year old put up an .890 OPS which featured a .405 OBP. That's some fancy hitting for the GCL. Murphy is one of the guys who can play 3B or OF if he's blocked at catcher, but he could move fast with the way he can hit. He's a good athlete who's still developing his defense, but he looks like he can do it. Now, he may be in the NYPL or they may jump him up to Charleston this year. I actually think he'll he be in Charleston. He may be a better prospect than Romine.


Gary Sanchez is the 3 million dollar man. The Yanks paid the 16 year old that much on July 2 to sign with them. He hasn't played in any leagues yet but was impressive in both Tampa and Dominican instructs. He's more advanced than Jesus Montero was when we signed him and his power and overall hitting ability are thought to be close. Defensively he's more like Romine, but an even more natural catcher. BTW, that's not a knock on Romine, he was a completely self-taught catcher till he was drafted by the Yanks a received instruction. Gary will probably spend his age 17 season in the GCL.


Damian Taveras was signed back in July of 2006, and was a long term project that finally exploded as a 19 year old in the DSL. He put up a 1.052 OPS, which is close to unheard of down there - and certainly so for a catcher. He was older, but still, that's some hitting and his D was good, too. I think he will skip the GCL and start in the NYPL. Don't be surprised if he really starts to move now, because the Yanks are very high on him.


So those are the top guys at C, and they have another one named Kyle Perkins coming over from Australia this coming spring. There are also some recent college draft picks who could make some noise at catcher. Clearly, the Yankee catching program is strong.

Looks Like Pitching First

From what's being leaked, it seems the Yanks will look to address the rotation as their first order of business. They are "waiting" to see what Andy Pettitte wants to do and rumored to be in on Halladay and Lackey. Other stories suggest that the Yanks will be in on neither Matt Holliday or Jason Bay and like Mike Cameron as an alternative should Johnny Damon's prices stay too high. Still other stories are saying that Cash left the Tampa meetings with all sorts of different plans he can pursue. I still wouldn't be surprised if we saw a 3 for 1 trade for something to clear space on the 40 man roster in the next few days. Go Cash!

It's the Halladay Season

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yankees have decided to pursue Roy Halladay. He has no sense of what it will take, as he's pitching at least three names that will not be available. But, it looks like the pitcher that makes the most sense to us, is the one that makes the most sense to Cash and Co. Hopefully, Halladay will use his NTC to make this as painless as possible. Go Yanks!

Meetings in Tampa

So Cash and his advisors are all down in Tampa meeting with ownership to see what they can get done this offseason. I know they have paid lip service to the idea of cutting the budget, but I don't really see it happening this year. They're losing 52 homers between Damon and Matsui if they walk, and they also want a starter they can use in the post season. Then they may also bring Andy back. And then there's Aroldis Chapman. And they have to fill all of these items with the 30 or so million, so I'm taking the OVER.


I think they will trade for Roy Halladay to provide that other playoff starter. I'd guess it will be a package headed by Austin Jackson, that might also include major league parts. With the idea that's now being floated that Boston has cooled on the idea, I think it could happen in the next week or so. Then I think they will either sign Matt Holliday or trade for a young outfielder with some pop. I think they plan on replacing the homers between Holliday and Juan Miranda, and an extra month of ARod. I think they probably will sign Andy, but it will be an incentive deal. I also think they will sign Aroldis Chapman, but to a minor league deal that won't effect the luxury tax. Go Yanks!

Rangers Dump Vally Claim Christensen

The Rangers may be undergoing a bit of a shakeup today. First, they cut Stephen Valliquette, their long time backup goalie, then they claimed underachieving F Erik Christensen from Anaheim. Since then, they've called up Goalie Chad Johnson, who they acquired during the draft, from Hartford. Now rumors abound that they may have cut Voros and called up Grachev. Stay tuned!

Yanks Interested in Lyon?

There have been some reports that the Yanks are interested in free agent reliever Brandon Lyon. I don't really believe this to be true. Lyon has been dominant in two of his last three seasons, yet he's not a strikeout pitcher and will cost a lot. In the year he was not dominant he was below average. I don't see the Yanks throwing millions at any more volatile middle relievers. We'll see, but I tink it's just a rumor. Go Yanks.

POW!

The Knicks, yes our Knicks, just destroyed the Phoenix Suns at the Garden. They played O and they really played D, holding the Suns under 100. They finally got Gallinari involved and he went off for 27 pts, 10 boards and 2 blocks. I think he had some assists, too. And speaking of assists Larry Hughes had a ton of them and really ignited the O in the first half. David Lee also had a big game and so did Harrington. They really looked like a team tonight against their coach's old squad. Nate played a bit in the first half and then was nailed to the bench until garbage time. Jordan Hill showed some energy in the waning moments. Let's see if they can do it again tomorrow in Orlando against the Magic. Go Knicks.

No Arbitration

The Yanks, today, passed up offering arbitration to Damon, Matsui, Andy and the rest of their free agents. This means should the team lose any of them, they will not receive draft pick compensation. Apparently, Cash told a breakfast crowd that they would like to have them all back at "the right price." I think that means only at the right price and we could see some turnover in Left and and DH. I assume Andy will be back. Go Yanks.

Rest in Peace, Old Reliable!

Tommy Henrich, the oldest living Yankee died early this morning. He was 96. Tommy was the rightfieder in the famous, and incredibly good Keller, DiMaggio, Henrich of's of the late '30s and through the '40s. Had they not lost crucial seasons to WWII, both Henrich and Keller would probably have made the Hall of Fame. They were both better than Jim Rice, for example. In 1949, with DiMaggio injured for a long period to start the season, Tommy Henrich came up with clutch hit after clutch hit as the Yanks beat the Red Sox and won the World Series to begin their streak of 5 straight. May the great Yankee rest in peace.

Hank

Lundqvist let in some more soft goals tonight. Granted he doesn't have a particulary smart D in front of him, but he has to do better. With the Rangers unable to score consistently, Hank cannot afford to be average, and that's what he's been too many nights so far this season. Go Hank!

Congrats!

Yankee Captain Derek Sanderson Jeter has today been named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year. Funny how things work, back in February they tried to destroy Alex Rodriguez and one world title later they're giving another Yankee their highest reward. It's great to see the captain finally get one of the really big awards. Go Yankees!

Unacceptable

Something has been wrong with the Giants for the last 7 weeks, and as we saw tonight, while they were once again being dismantled by a mediocre team, the proper measures have not been taken to correct whatever it is. Now, on TV is appears that the OL and DL are no longer playing at the level they have played at for the past few years. The RB's have to room to run, and the D's we face can play pass and just combo blitz, like we've been seeing. On the DL, the DT's are getting no push, so QB's can step up before Osi, Tuck or Kiwi can get to them. I don't really know what can be done with what looks like physical decline all over our lines, but somebody better think of something before the season goes bye-bye. It's hanging by a thread and we have to start a winning streak a week from Sunday against the Cowboys. Go Giants.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm grateful for all readers of this blog. Today, I am also grateful that there is Giant football, and that the Rangers have called up Bobby Sanguinetti. Sangs has been tearing up the AHL. It seems like being in camp with Del Zotto and Gilroy lit a fire under the young offensive defenseman and he hasn't looked back. Here's hoping he makes them send someone down! Go Sangs! Go Rangers! Go Giants! Go You!