GCL 2

The GCL roster is finally up http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&cid=475 but it's missing Culver and others, and currently features guest stars like Manny Banuelos, Brett Marshall, Matt Richardson and Nik Turley, so let's call it the "provisional" roster, or the roster pro temps, whichever you prefer. The four pitchers I've listed will be off to other assignments once their rehabs have been completed.

Needless to say, there's a lot of talent on the provisional roster. All of last year's prep pitchers; Mitchell, Gerritse, DeLuca and Checo (pictured) are on there and will probably be there most of the season. Mitchell was considered an advanced righty so, he too, may be headed elsewhere at some point. DeLuca is an advanced power lefty, but he may be stuck there because he signed so late last year. Gerritse and Checo were a little more developmental, though both project to have big stuff. Harold Garce throws HARD, and has made nice progress in cutting his insane walks totals down. Conor Mullee was a college senior the Yanks just drafted. Normally a senior pitcher would start in SI, but Mulle is a recent convert who found he can throw 95, so they're starting him with the kids. There are also a bunch of interesting international arms, like Erik Tapia, a throw hard lefty, and Charlyn Garcia. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the signability kids get some innings in toward the end of the 60 game schedule.

Catcher is loaded. Gary Sanchez was last year's big ticket FA, and has been described as being a combination of Montero at the plate and Romine behind it. The Yanks gave him 3M last year, which is more than Montero got in a more flush 2006 economy. He's the big follow this summer along with Culver. Now, Damian Taveras may just be a guest star. He's a bit older and hit around .398 over in the DSL last year. That's sick in any league. He just got his visa and he could just be there to get acclimated before heading up the chain. Kyle Perkins is an Australian prospect, who so impressed them two years ago, that they let him finish school in Auz, before coming over now. He doesn't have the thump of a Montero, Romine or Sanchez, but he's a good athlete. Jhorge Liccien is a good prospect, like Francisco Arcia, who keeps getting caught in numbers crunches.

Until Culver arrives, the big names in the infield are Rey Nunez and Fu Lin Kuo. Nunez is a 1B with big power - you know the kind 1b's are supposed to have but we haven't developed in ages - two years ago he was overweight, but he has worked like a mad man to get himself in great shape and he's one of the most exciting players that's come over this year. Fu Lin Kuo is a 3B we signed in the aftermarket last summer. He's a 3b from Taiwan who's a good hitter. Felix and Rosario are both lean guys who get on base but haven't shown any power. Toussen was from the 2006 signing class and has yet to put it all together. He played in the GCL last year and looks like he'll be there all season this year.

The outfield is incomplete. Kelvin Duran is a sweet swinging lefty CF who has already homered to start the season. Duran was a guy who had a big number a few years ago, and no one signed him. He was a Boras client. On his own, he came to the Yanks and asked to tryout. He did and they signed him. And it's looking good so far. Ramon Flores and Henry Pena are both LF's who get on base. Ramon was really impressive two years ago and will look to get that going again. Pena was coming around last year and could still turn into something. Nathan Aron is from Australia and may just be on the roster to keep Perkins company. So that's the provisional OF, but Victor Reynoso should be showing up soon. He's a 5 tool prospect who broke out in the DSL last year.

So that's a look at the GCLYanks that start the season today. We'll have more news on them as players breakout and players are added. Go GCL Yanks!

UPDATE: GCL Yanks just won 10-8 after being down 8-6 in the bottom of the 8th. Kelvin Duran scored three runs and hit a homer today. Gary Sanchez was 2-4 with a GRAND SLAM and a walk. Jose Rosario, who I implied had no pop earlier, homered and was 2-5 with a steal. Believe it or not, the pitching was pretty good. The fielding was atrocious as they combined for 5 errors, included 2 from Kuo, 1 from Gary and 2 from Felix. They need to clean that up, obviously, but, overall, a nice day at the empty park. Go GCLYanks!