Yanks GCL Preview

Alright, after some consideration, I've decided to talk about both teams at once.

First of all, but for some rainouts, the Yanks would have had 10 MiLB teams playing on a single day for the first time since Ford Frick was Commish or something like that.  The way it currently shakes out is 6 teams in short seasons, and 4 teams playing full seasons.   That's a lot of players, and should represent a lot of capability, but we'll have to see how that works out.

GCL 1

Because of injuries or seeming injuries to guys like Dermis Garcia and Austin DeCarr, the short season teams are lacking some sizzle.   GCL 1 is no different.  Let's take a look.

Right now they're listing 17 pitchers.  But are 2 rehabs, Andrew Bailey and Vincente Campos and  3 are on the DL, hard throwing Deshorn Lake is on the 60 Day DL and LHP Anthony Marzi and RHP Anyelo Gomez are on the 7 Day DL.

That leaves them with 12 other pitchers that are a mix between just drafteds like RHP Hobie Harris, RHP Icezack Flemming,  RHP Dustin Cook, and RHP Chad Martin.   They also have recently signed UDFA Geoff DeGroot.  From last year's draft they have LHP Andrew Chin.   They also have some IFA's like LHP Anderson Severino,  RHP Alexander Vargas (just 18 and throws hard),  RHP Jean Ramirez, RHP Francis Joseph,  RHP Juan Escorcia ,  and RHP Abel Duarte.

We'll have to see if anyone emerges, but there is no Phil Hughes here based on what's happened so far.  Vargas might be a guy.

They have 3 young catchers including Luis Sanchez who just turned 18 and two 20 year olds, Alvaro Noriega, and Jerry Seitz.

The infield is where it starts to get really interesting.  Wilkerman Garcia is the shortstop, and he was one of the 15 first rounders or whatever you want to consider them, we got last July 2.  He's still just 17 years old and looks like a ringer.  Not a power hitter thus far, but  some pop and power could come.

Also at SS is Bryan Cuevas who had a good year in the GCL last year, but has been left behind because of all of the other picks and signings.  This is sort of the downside of having players coming in at different age points.  They all have to start somewhere and they can create traffic for guys like Cuevas who shouldn't be in the GCL anymore.

Donny Sands is at 3rd, he was the surprise prep who we took in round 8, and couldn't wait to sign.  They love his ceiling.

They also have Victor Rey, a  20 year old.

At 2B they have 20 Year old Daniel Barrios.   They also have anothr SS named Danienger Perez who is just 19 and could see some action around the infield.

Chris Gittens is the 1B, he was a JuCo or a DES or something last year, and needs to start pounding. He's 21.


GCL has just 4 OF's listed and they are all CF's!   They are Leonard Molina, the big IFA from 2 years ago,  Trey Amburgey, the toolsy JuCo the Yanks just drafted,  Jordan Barnes, a toolsy lottery ticket they bought late a few years ago and  Cesar Diaz, a 22 year old.

So, that's team one, and we'll really have to see who, if anyone, emerges.

GCL 2

Notably, the pitching coach for GCL 2 is Nardi Contreras.   Nardi has always been dynamite when he can get his hands on a pitcher.  When he was pitching Czar, guys like Betances would always pitch beautifully after a consult.   Anyway, they've given him at least one problem child to spend the summer with...

Cuban LHP Omar Luis is that guy. The Yanks gave him 3M or something a few years ago, and he's still in the GCL.    GCL 2 lists 16 other pitchers with only Dietrich Enns (post TJS) listes as a rehab and Lee Cassas (huge guy) on the 7 Day DL.

RHP Brandon Stenhouse is a 19 year old Australian, and LHP Artur Strzalka is a 20 year old Pole!   Let's see what these guys can do.

RHP Claudio Custodio used to be a position player, and mad could he jet.  He just couldn't hit consistently.  So they're trying him on the mound.  TJS in 4-3-2---

The rest are all righties and will have to emerge,  Gean Batista (24!), Rolando Calvo, Leonardo Garcia, Cody Hamlin, Juan Jimenez,  Cory Jordan (24!), Kelvin Magallenes, Jose Mesa (son of but 22 already),  Jordan Ovalles, Andrew Schwaab, and Daris Vargas.

Good luck, Nardi!

GCL 2 is carrying 4 catchers ( they may have to use 2 when Omar Luis pitches).   Eduardo Navas and Brian are 19 and 20 respectively and thus have some upside.  Ronaldo Suarez is just 17!  He was not on of the big first round types they signed last year, but it was a mammoth class and it says something that he's already over.   Ozzie Liranzo is the 23 year old babysitter for the rest.

The infield is comprised of 3 list shortstops and 2 listed 3B's.    They have to figure it out.  But one shorstop is Yancarlos Baez, who feels like he's been around forever but is still just 19 till August and seemsed to have turned a corner over the last year and a half.

SS Griffin Garrabito is another kid from last year's class and won't be 18 till August.  He wasn't one of the first round types, but he's gotten some buzz and apparently risen up during instructs and EST.

Jose Infante is the other SS and he's be 22 in September.

The 3B's are Kevin Cornelius and Renzo Martini.   Cornelius is the Jordan Barnes of IF's.  A workout warrior who needs to start moving.  And Renzo Martini is was low signing IFA from a few years ago and has hit his way off th all name only squad.  Interesting group.  We'll see who becomes a 2B.

Like GCL 1, 2 only has 4 OF's with 2 listed as LF's, 1 listed as a CF and one listed as simply OF.  They are 19 year old Andy Diaz,  21 year old Greidy Encarcnacion,  22 year old Domic Jose (toolsy son of Felix) and just turned 20 Pedro Urena,

Once again, some interesting names and the reclamation project in Luis, but we'll have to see who emerges.

And we'll also have to see where guys like Dermis Garcia and Austin DeCarr end up when they can go.