Frazier Appears to be Getting the Call

Apparently, Clint Frazier will be taking up the empty spot on the 40, and joining the Yankees tomorrow in Houston.  After this month, I'm ready for a full-fledged youth movement and another sell off.

Knicks Stuff

The Knicks are also heading right into Free Agency.  They suffer form James Dolan's basketball obsession and have not been able to establish any sort of consistent culture or program while in Dolan's custody.  Now, though this is kind of a dire situation from day to day, week to week, month to month and year to year, they've been worse recently than they are right now.

Earlier this week, the team parted ways with Phil Jackson, who had entered a sort of Captain Queeg-ish period of existence.  But unlike some of the past Hoop Czar's, Jackson left the Knicks with all their first round picks, foundational young talent, cap space, tradeable contracts and only two really bad contracts: Melo and Noah.  Melo's deal is bad because of his NMC, which he has used to hold the franchise hostage, and hold the basketball that can be played in a losing stasis. The Noah thing is just money for an old and injured guy who is otherwise probably okay to have around the kids.

Heading into free agency, the Knicks are reputedly and rationally looking for a pass first veteran point guard.  To make even more room for their targets they are said to be willing to trade Courtney Lee's deal. If it brings back a first?  Great deal.  Any less will have to be judged on relative merit, and what they bring in with the added space.

During this process, it will be extra special if they can find a sane new President/GM and get Melo off the team.  We'll see.

Rangers Stuff

As we observe the continued soap opera of the Rangers' Garden Mates,  The Knicks, we have to be really grateful that Dolan doesn't care much about hockey.  Like the Knicks, the Rangers are heading into UFA in the next 24 hours, but there house is in far greater order because of Dolan's neglect.  The proof is in how many chances Sather has been given...

The Rangers re-sgined Smith and that was important and the still have to come to terms with Mika Z.  They seem to be interested in some C's in FA, and the Shattenkirk rumors haven't died, even though the Rangers traded for DeAnthony, who can run a PP and is years younger. I have to think Shattenkirk just wants to be a Ranger.  We'll see if he takes less to be one. Beyond that, the Rangers still need a backup goalie, I'm hoping they pick one from the group they already control.

And we'll see if anymore trades are on the way as Gorton continues his rebuild on the fly.

Yanks Stuff

Alright, still pretty shaken from Dustin Fowler's tragic injury last night, and pretty furious that the White Sox had their OF set up so that could happen.  Praying here that he makes it all the way back.

In other news, CC threw a sim game yesterday and said he's ready to come back. I believe, and his loss, combined with Girardi's picking the wrong guys to take starts and just about every other role, has created the  June Swoon we've experienced this season.  Hopefully, once CC is back, they'll put Cessa in the pen, as he's clearly a once through the order guy.

These injuries have probably screwed up any chance the Yanks have to make a good trade for anyone or anything this season.  They've needed the prospect and might still need more of them, and you don't really want the Yanks reaching down to trade Florial or Acevedo or something, do you?

So let's hope for a big July.  Good IFA signings on Sunday,  one or two day three signings by the seventh, and more breakouts and continued breakouts from the kids.

Kevin Klein to Retire

According to Dave Shapiro on Twitter, Kevin Klein is retiring.  This jacks the amount of cap room the Rangers have going into tomorrow night's free for all.  Now, if only Staal would retire.

Dustin Fowler Pulled From the Scranton Game

Okay, Dustin Fowler was pulled from the Scranton Game I was listening to.  There was no apparent injury, so either he's getting called up or traded.  Tyler Austin might be headed to the DL, and I have no idea what they'd do to get Dustin on the roster.  If he remembers to grind his AB's and take walks he could be awesome in Yankee Stadium.  Only draft pick the Yanks even made who had Country Music on his highlight video on YouTube.  The other thought, is the trade as I believe he's more likely to be the centerpiece for a trade for pitching than anyone else, since they also have Frazier who's ceiling is higher because of the walk gene.  Bears watching.

Chytil is a RINGER

Filip Chytil, who was the Rangers second first rounder last Friday night, scored two goals in his scrimmage and just missed a third on a breakaway, when he was stoned by Wall.  Interestlingly, he weighed in at a healthy 193, but the scouting materials all had him in the 170s.   He was also two inches taller than he was in the reports. He is either the youngest or second guy in camp, and he dominated a bunch of previous picks, and college signees.  That's impressive.

Turns out Lias Andersson also scored for the other team, as did Chytil's linemate Ty Ronning.  So both first rounders scored.

Matt Holliday to the DL and Chris Carter to AAA

Yanks have put Holliday on the DL with his mystery ailment.  So prayers for his speedy recovery.  Also, and unsurprisingly, Chris Carter passed through waivers and has reported to AAA.  Never again!

Rangers Re-Sign Smith 4 years 4.35 per

Can't find my photo of Brendan Smith, but the Rangers have locked him up before the start of FA, so that's one matter of their list, and it's less than they were paying Girardi for his last ineffective years.  Now they have to get Mika signed.

Yanks Call Up Miguel Andujar

Okay, the Yanks have just called up 3B Miguel Andujar, who only made his AAA debut last week or so. I assume this has to do with Holliday, or some other injury that's come up in the past 24 hours.  The kid can hit.  Not sure his glove is there yet, but he has a good arm, too.

Knicks Fire Jackson

Some time, in the middle of the night, Jim Dolan decided to pull the trigger. I had hoped Jackson could instll a winning culture with the Knicks, but he really seemed to be losing it lately.  First, I don't care how he treated Carmelo.  I care that he re-signed him and gave him a no movement clause.  Melo has been holding the franchise hostage ever since.  He cannot be the best player on a championship team, and never got the Knicks anywhere near one. So, it will now be the job of Jackson's successor to get rid of Melo.

What did concern me was Jackson's all out assault on Kristaps Porzingis.  He seemed beside himself that KP had skipped his exit interview.  He acted like that was a flaw in KP rather than realizing the flaw was his own. Then last week he had Rosen blast KP's health. That was hilarious, given that Phil himself had to sit out the entire `69-`70 championship season with a back injury and the Knicks didn't hold it against him.  KP gets some growing pains, and the old man sent his goon. Also, he horrified the entire base with his attemps, half hearted though they may have been, at trading KP during the draft.   Then there were rumors of his falling asleep during one of the lottery players workouts.

And then ther was his obsession with the triangle. The funny about that is, this morning the Knicks Summer League team is having its first practice and Horny no longer has to spend even a second teaching them the triangle. I guess he'll just go with his uptempo, pick n roll, bomb them with 3's offense. And that's a very good thing.  Golden State keeps winning with it, and D'Antoni just won Coach of the year for his version of it.

And that's another thing,  Phil Jackson hated 3's. I was glad to see we drafted drafted more guys who can shoot the three last week, anyway.  I welcome their return.

So Begins The Tyler Wade Era

Yanks are currently up 6-1 against the White Sox and Montgomery has been brilliant for 7.  During the course of things, Castro pulled a hammy, and the Yanks are calling up Tyler Wade.  Tyler is very much the modern Gil McDougald, in that he can play gold globe level defense anywhere you put him, and can also hit.  And remember that extra step Brett Gardner used to have?  Wade has it and uses it.  Just a realy good, versatile player who could be a long term solution for the Yanks.  As a result of the Wade promotion, Avelinon went to AAA, and Jorge Mateo, who's been hot, went to AA. I might have promoted Thairo Estrada to AAA instead, but he'll get there soon enough.  Big moves.

This Week on the Blog

What a tumultuous week.  The Yanks sucked, the Knicks almost killed their future, the Rangers parted with beloved players, and all three teams made picks or signed picks.  Let's take a look.

Yankees:  Tyler Clippard equals death, and it is always Joe Girardi's choice to use him, so he must share the boos. Last night they finally cut bait on one Girardi favorite, let's see if they can get rid of another one today. I love Tyler Clippard, and the Yanks were dumb to trade him without trying him in the pen several years ago.  But all good things come to an end.  And we cannot put him out there any more if our intention is to win.  There have been a few postives:  Monty continues to give them chances, Tanaka made an appearance last night and today the Yanks announced the official signings of Clarke Schmidt and Mark Sauer. From the numbers we know it looks like the Yanks have about 400K to dangle at their late picks.  We'll have to see if that goes to one pick, or is split up two,  three or four ways.

Giants: The Giants open camp on 7/28.

Rangers:  The Rangers just finished their draft today, and as we commented, it was a clear slap in the face to the major juniors.  Tomorrow, the Rangers will begin their annual prospect camp, in a quicker turnaround than usual.  So we should have a roster and lots of news from the franchise as they get ready for FA where they are expected to have as much as 23M available if Klein does indeed retire.  I wouldn't be surprised by another trade or two as they seem hell bent on a big rebuild.  And again, the addition of Lindy Ruff, who was a fantastic d coordinator before being a good head coach, is joining the Rangers as DC, but is also a loud and persistent warning shot to AV, that he'd better do better.

Knicks: The Knicks got their man and drafted and signed a couple of other intriguing players, including Canyon Berry, so summer league will be must watch.  What's more, they have about 19M available as of right now, but could have more if they can trade or part with anymore veterans before free agency starts.  Should be a big week.

So, take deep breaths over the Yanks, smile about the Ranger prospect camp, take a break from the Giants, and pray for the Knicks.  Have a great one!

NHL Draft is Over Rangers Added 7

As I mentioned before, the Rangers showed absolute contempt for the the Major Juniors, and for the most part North America in their 2017 Draft.  While this will bother some, it bothers me not at all.  Here's why: years ago Gordie Clark was asked why he was drafting so many American kids, instead of Canadian kids. Gordie said when the Canadian kids start beating the American kids in International Play, he'll start taking them again. Both North American programs are a little down for where they were a few years ago, which is probably normal over the course of time.  The Finns, and Swedes have been on the rise, the so the Rangers took Swedes and a Finn.  They also took two Czechs who had had great individual perfomances in International Comp and Playoffs, if not great team results.  So Gordie pretty much kept with his ideal of taking the kids who are winning.

Now it was a bit suprising that they eshewed the WHL completely, which has been one of their favorite watering holes over the past few drafts, and the only Major Junior kid they took was a 20 year old from the OHL. That is a stark repudiation of the NHL's traditional bloodline, and something to keep an eye on over the next few years.

In all they took four guys who might be able to play in the AHL in Andersson, Crawley, Lakatos and Virta, as well as three high end teens in Chytil, Sjalin and Barron.  The number of AHL possibilities probably foretells more roster changes coming as their  rebuild "on the fly" continues.

Andersson, who they got at #7 is sort of a cross between a high upside teen and AHL ready guy.  We'll see where he ends up.

In any event, I see nothing to be upset over here, and no apparent missed opportunities.

Rangers Take F Patrik Virta at 207

The Rangers have probably finished up with 21 year old Finn Forward Patrik Virta.  He's 6'1" and listed at 168 pounds, and we'd better hope that's an old weight.  If his weight is up, he's probably ticketed for the AHL  Given what I think is their contempt for this draft class, I think the Rangers won't trade back into and are done.  Could be wrong, though.

Rangers Take C Morgan Barron at 174

Okay, the Rangers just took a big Canadian Prep who played HS instead of Major Junior.  He's a been a C but may be a LW as he progresses, he's scheduled to go to Cornell.  I am sure we're going to hear that he knocked out the Combine or some other testing because this is the Canadian version of Chris Kreider.  Beast against other preps at what is considered a lower level.  They commented on his size and speed.  Very Kreider-esque.

Rangers Take Dominik Lakatos at 157

This is a 20 year old Czech, so the Rangers have gotten 2 17 year olds, one 18 year  old and 2 20 year olds so far.  He'll probably be in the AHL this coming year.  Was 50th ranked Euro skater.

Rangers Go Back to Sweden at 145

After taking an overage LHD at 123, the Rangers just took a 17 year old LHD, Calle Sjalin at 145.  This is the second player from Sweden they've taken in this draft, and the second Calle D they've taken over the last several drafts.  Still not finding any RHD's.

Rangers Having a Busy Morning

Instead of trading up to pick in the 2nd or 3rd round, the Rangers traded down, and just picked D Brandon Crawley, a big 20 year old, LHD from New Jersey.  20's sort of an odd age for a pick, so it might be he's been eligible before.  We'll figure it out, but there's a lot happening.

In other news, the Rangers have hired Lindy Ruff to take over their D from Jeff Beukeboom.  Is this an upgrade or blame fixing?  I don't know, but Ruff has been a head coach before, and I do think it means AV is on the hot seat with a replacement is house already.

Carter DFA'd Tyler Austin on the Way

After tonight's thrilling Torreyes walk off, the Yankees finally did what they had to do.  They DFA'd Carter and recalled Tyler Austin.  Tyler's bee crushing AAA and he just deserves to be contributing all of that to the Yanks. It's been a crazy ride for Tyler.  I think when the history of this next dynasty is written, Tyler Austin will be seen as the turning point for the Yankee drafts and farm.  He'll bring the lagging energy back to the club while we await the return of Greg Bird.

Ranger Wrap

The Rangers started the day off by trading their homegrown, popular C Derek Stepan and their popular backup goalie, Antii Rannta to Phoenix for RHD Anthony DeAngelo and the #7 pick in tonight's draft.

A little bit more on DeAngelo.  He's from around Philly, and his mouth has gotten him suspended three times in the OHL and traded twice and he's only 21. We've got to hope that he has broadened his vision of things, or things can get very bad for him in New York, and it's just sort of sad to watch young people who can't get out of their own ways.

So later, after trying to combine their #7 and #21 picks to move up to #3 for target unknown, the Rangers stayed where they were and took two Centers.  And like the Knicks yesterday, they double dipped in Europe.  I don't think that matters much, as both Andersson and Chytil have both played against men, and played in the international competition that the Rangers have always valued so highly.

Turns out identify as C's, and while Andersson wants to be the guy who scores big goals,  Chytil is more of a playmaker.  Interestingly, Chytil grew two inches during his season and could end up a pretty big guy when he's done filling out.

So, basically, what the Rangers did was what they always do, and that's been working out reasonably well, but needed a refresh.

Rangers Take F Filip Chytil at 21

The Rangers dipped into Czech Extraliga to pluck Filip Chytil at 21. I guess the Euro Scouts have out shouted the North American Crew at the meetings this year.  Like Lias, Filip played against grownups.  Unlike Lias, he's only 17 and one of the youngest kids in the draft.  They're listing him as a C, and he's 6'2" 179 right now, but he's still just 17. This kid is apparently super fast but with better hands than say Carl Hagelin, so it could really lead to some easy goals.  I generally think it's a great sign when a younger player plays against grown men.  He's supposed to be a 2 way guy, so he fits the template. Oh and he has excelled in international play against his age group.  Very interesting pick.

Btw, I expect the pundits will say the Rangers didn't max out their opportunities, but I would not bet against the Ranger scouting staff.  Not at all.

Rangers Take Lias Andersson at 7

The Rangers just replaced Oscar Lindberg. I suspect Lias is a slightly better version of Oscar, hence his haughty draft status.  Lias is 5'11" and  a very solid 201 pounds. He can play all three forward spots.  The Rangers had reportedly been trying to trade up to #3, but it must have been for a different player, because Lias considered top 15 rather than top 10.

Rangers Draft Stuff

Pictured is Anthony DeAngelo, the 21 year old, right handed defenseman.  He was the 19th overall pick in the 2014 draft and is a great skater.  The Rangers haven't had a first round pick since 2012.  As of right now, tonight they'll have two, #7 and #21.  This must feel like Christmas at last for Gordie Clark, who's still running the drafts along with Gorton.  In general, the Rangers have done about as well as could be expected missing all those first picks.  They were still able to attract a slew of amateur free agents, like Kevin Hayes, and were still able to do well with the picks they had, adding guys like Sean Day, Pavel Buchnevich and Igor Shestyorkin, who probably would have been first rounders but for Sean having a family problem and the other two kids coming from Russia.

The Rangers should be able to find good stuff at 7 and 21, and I expect them to add more picks as the draft goes on because they are currently without a 2 or a 3.

Rangers Trade Stepan and Raanta to Arizona

This is breaking and the details may change a bit, but the Rangers are trading Stepan and Raanta to the Coyotes for the 7th pick in tonights draft, and 21 year old RHD Anthony DeAngelo.  This seems like a very light take back for the Rangers.  Perhaps there are more picks involved, since going into tonight they only had a 1, 4, 5, 6, and I think a 7.  This is also tough, because Step has long been one of my favorite Rangers.  I wish both players the best now and always.

Knicks Draft Review

The big thing last night was that Phil Jackson didn't completely lose his mind and trade KP.  At one point, media pundits were calling it likely! Phew.  So instead of that, the Knicks grabbed a 6'5" PG who will pass KP the ball, and back that up be taking "the best shooter in the draft" and another 6'5" PG who will passt KP the ball.  Frank is 18, Damyeon is 23, and Ognjen is just 21. So, after sneaking away from the youth movement to make that tragic Melo-centric deal with the Bulls last year, the youth movement is back on.

Last night, after the draft, the Knicks signed undrafted block and rebound C, Luke Kornet, out of Vanderbilt, and scoring SF Nigel Hayes out of Wisconsin.  Phil probably won't like the fact that Kornet can nail threes, but probably will like that he's a math whiz.

The Knicks are sheduled to head into UFA season with about 19M in cap room.  They can, of course, can more cap room by trading Lee or O'Quinn.  Then they might be able to dip RFA market as well as UFA.  We'll see. The most important item of business will be to somehow get Melo off the team.  Should be a pretty interesting next few weeks.

Knicks take Ognjen Jaramaz at 58

The Knicks took a second European PG with their 58th pick.  This might be a stash player, or it might now depending on camp and what else happens this off season.  And thank our Knicks holy stars that KP was not dealt tonight.

Knicks Take Damyeon Dotson at 44

Jesus, this guy looks like he should be singing "What is Love?" in his picture.  Anyway, he's a pure shooter and I'd much rather get him a 44 than getting Trent Tucker as #6 when we got him.  We'll see if makes the team.

Knicks KP and Take Frank Ntilikina!

I knew we would be in the lottery since before the season even ended, so I took a long look at the lottery type players, and decided I only wanted Ball, if the Knicks won the lottery, or Ntilikina if they stayed at 6.  Thus I freaked when they fell to 7 and again when they feel to 8.  Frank is a proper guard to go with Kristaps and Willy.  He's selfless, like Ball, and unlike Melo, Rose and most other players the Knicks have had since they traded for Marbury.  Okay, Gallo was cool, and Lin was, too, but they got traded, as I was concerned KP would be.  This kid also loves defense and can be the point of that if we play box and 1.  I just love this pick and we have two more.

Knicks Draft Night

Two years ago, the Knicks had a lottery pick and set a course for the future by taking Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez.  Tonight have the 8th pick and two second rounders, and a big chance to get a lot done.  We'll also see if the Knicks can pick up more picks.  If they do it through traading KP, we'll never talk about the Knicks again.

Yanks Finally Recall Tyler Webb

Tyler Webb pretty much started our current affair with the South Carolina baseball program and has been major league ready since around the time we drafted him in 2014.  I think he's been a victim of his velocity, and unrecognized for his results.  He's not a loogy by any means, but a long term help for any bullpen. This could be crucial.  Go Tyler!

Yanks Win!

And a 23 year old shall lead them.  Jesus, was it a long time between wins.  Girardi did his best again tonight, taking Monty out after 5.2 again, and then putting Clippard in with an 8-2 lead in the ninth, which became a 8-4 lead after just two batters.  It is over for Clippard and they have to move on.  Chad Green got 4 outs between the 6th and 7th and deserves the 7th inning role.  They scored 8 runs, but the kids are suddenly having the odd bad PA, and they need to wake up.

In other Yankee news, Greg Bird got a cortisone shot and they will turn him lose in a few days.  I can't believe it took them this long to get him a cortisone shot.  Giambi used to get them constantly.

The Yanks released a list of 20 signed players yesterday.  They aren't listing Schmitz or Sauer yet, but  if we're interesting in signing any of those high upside third day guys, we have to hope that the Sauer rumor of 2.65M is wrong, or that Schmitz gave us an insane discount.

Knicks Tomorrow

I've had faith in Phil Jackson, but honestly, since taking over 3 years ago, he's had exactly one good night as the Basketball Czar of the Knicks. Tonight he gave an interview to MSG, and it seems his panties are still in full twist over KP skipping his exit meeting.  That was immature of KP and everything since has been immature by Phil.  I do think Jackson is just acting out, and he did concede that Kristaps is a Unicorn, so I think this will all blow over rather than lead to something.  But the Knicks need a big draft and offseason and they really do have to find a way to get rid of Melo and get more picks.

Rangers Lose Oscar Lindberg in Corporate BS

Rangers, as was rumored all day, lost Oscar Lindberg to the big bribe the owners take to allow theft of players every time they want to get tipped and dillute the level of play.  This screws the Rangers of a really good player, who overcame hip surgeries and was really coming on as the rest of the Rangers were kneeling like dogs this past Spring.

Huge draft and starts Friday.  Crucial offseason coming right up.

Your 2016 Pulaski Yankees

Wow, still no draft picks listed on the roster. Remember, though there are no longer 2 DSL teams, there are still 2 GCL teams, and they are going to be loaded with draft picks.  This year's Pulaski lineup is loaded with IFA's, the biggest name on the team is 3B Dermis Garcia, who tied for the league lead in homers last year, and is repeating the level, probably because Nelson Gomez, who is also a 3B has better plate disc.  Dermis, 19, probably has the loudest bat left in the system, and could start moving if something clicks.

The rest of the infield includes more teenagers: Andres Chaparro, Yeison Corredera, Eduardo Torrealba and Jesus Bastidas.  Bastidas is a SS,  Torrealba is also a SS,  Corredera is a UT and at 23 is the old man on the team.  Andres Chapparo is 18 and also a third baseman, but he or Dermis will end up playing first because they are the biggest guys on the team,

The catchers are Saul Torres, who is someone they really like and Victor Rey is 21 and used to be a 3B.

In the OF, the big name is Brayan Emery, another 19 year old from the 2014 IFA splurge.  He's a rightfielder who could develop some power.  Leobaldo Cabrera is Oswaldo's older brother, but playing one level behind.  Frederick Cuevas is another kid from 2014, and a lefty hitter.   Andy Diaz is now 21 and also hits lefty with some power.

As for the pitchers, the only lefty is Tyler Honahan, last year's 36th rounder.  The rest are RHP's and they are: Mark Seyler, Rony Garcia, Juan Jimenez, Gilmael Troya, Kaleb Ort, Jose Pujols, Abel Duarte, Carlos Espinal, Alexander Vizcaino,  Matthew Wivinis, Danial Ramos and Jio Orozco.

Seyler was the 19th rounder from 2015, so he may be coming back from injury.  Ort is a fireballer they signed out of Indy Ball and either is 24 or turning 24 this year  and is probably destined for the bullpen. Wivinis is another 24 year old out of Indy Ball.  The rest are IFA's with Garcia, Troya and Duarte having the most buzzz.

There you have it, some 25 year old chaperones out of Indy Ball and a bunch of talented kids.

Gleyber Gets TJS, Andujar Moves Up

As if losing 6 straight didn't suck enough, Gleyber Torres is now gone for the rest of the season - with no chance of helping us - with TJS. It's terrible for Gleyber, the Yanks and us.  That means the Yanks now have their top position prospect, top pitching prospect and maybe #3 or #4 pitching prospect down with TJS.  Brutal.

The brightside with Gleyber, at least, is that it's not in his throwing arm, so the rehab with be much different and presumably have him ready for Spring Training.  Also on the brightside, Miguel Andujar, a real 3B, is coming up to play 3B at AAA.  And this is a promotion that Miguel, who's also a power hitter, was very deserving of.  He was crushing AA, and isn't learning the position from scratch this year. And he's already on the 40.  The Yanks also have another AA infielder who should be moving up in Thairo Estrada.

Interestingly, the injury probably also puts a trade freeze trading any of Wade, Andujar or Thairo, which is good for the longterm outlook of the team.  I see the future as Andujar at 3B, Gleyber at SS, Thairo at 2B,  and Wade as Super Utility guy.  This will also allow them to eventually trade high on Didi and Castro.

Another interesting issue is that Clint Frazier is now crushing AAA, and worthy of promotion.  Will they be willing to make room?

Staten Island Yanks Start Tomorrow

The Yanks are off tomorrow, thankfully, but the SI Yanks will be starting their season against the heinous Brooklyn  Cyclones tomorrow evening. This year's roster has not yet been flooded with fresh draft picks, and that's because the Yanks spent much of day three popping unsignable big time talents, instead of a bunch of seniors to stir things up on Staten Island.

So this year's team is an interesting mix of high talented teenagers and the kind of older guys that couldn't get AB's in Charleston, or pitchers who they just won't give up on, like David Palladino, who will be starting his 4th season in SI, but is 6'9" and could start moving very quickly if he ever put it together. He's 24 and so are Will Carter,  Eduardo Rivera,  Chase Hodson, and Jeff DeGano, the lefty who had TJS in college, which explans his being older than Sevy and Montgomery.

On the younger side, they have Drew Finley, the 20 year old who started in SI last year but got shutdown.  He bears watching because of his upside and because TJS could be next. Jhonny Brito (RHP) is 19 and a 2015 IFA.  He hasn't put up numbers yet, but he's pitching in a college league at 19, so he probably has stuff. Juan DePaula is 19 and has put up big numbers already striking out 121 in 118 2/3's innings with a 2.58 ERA in the Mariners org last season.  Got him for Gamel.  Alexander Vargas is also 19 and coming back from injury.   The rest of the guys are the college guys from the last two drafts who haven't pitched yet this year.

The youngest of the three catchers is 23, the oldest 25.

The big names in the infield are  SS Wilkerman Garcia,  3B Nelson Gomez who are 19 and Oswaldo Cabrera who is 18. Two years ago, Wilkerman lit things up.  Last year he got hurt and tried to play through it, and dinged his status.  Healthy he could do it again.  Owaldo Cabrera was last year's phenom who stumbled out of the gate in Charleston earlier this year, but could light it up again in SI.

The prospects in the OF are Carlos Vidal, 21, who is coming off of an injury but who showed plate disc in his last healthy season.  Kendall Coleman is just 21 though it feels like he's been around longer.  A power prospect who could still breakout.  Leonardo Molina is still just 19 but he also seems like he's been around longer.  He's tooled up, but hasn't really performed yet.  He's got time. 22 year old Dom Thompson-Williams, the fast twitch guy from last year South Carolina Picks, will also be performing, and if power ever shows up, he could move.

It's not as prospect laden as Scranton or Trenton, but it should be fun and it can be a runway and take up place for a bunch of these kids or older players they've been waiting on.

Pulaski starts Thursday, and the GCL starts a week from tomorrow.

Yanks Sign RHP Harold Cortijo

The Yanks have apparently signed the 14th round pick, prep pitcher Harold Cortijo.  He's the kid who moved from Puerto Rico to Maryland to play his junior and senior HS seasons at a super program. He was really one of the most intriguing picks outside of the second half hail mary's they popped instead of seniors or guys who couldn't make their rosters.  Great get.

They also signed their 13th round JuCo monster bat Eric Wagaman.  He apparently hit a homer in his last at bat before signing.  I wonder if it's landed yet.

Both signings that they really wernt for what is becoming their bread and butter once again, power arms and power bats. No more power projections.  Just now power all over the place.

This Week on the Blog

As we try to recover from the Yanks' sudden loss of four winnable games, take some comfort from the fact that the youngest players on the team never gave up.  They are a gritty lot and remind me of Mattingly before he got hurt, Munson, Murcer, Randolph and White. And the future couldn't be brighter.  And speaking of young players, we have two more drafts coming up this week.

Yanks: The Yanks had a brilliant draft this past week, and since day one of same, they have not won a game. But we shouldn't fret too much about that.  This season is all about Judge, Sanchez, Severino, Montgomery and Bird, and any other kid who finds his way onto the convoluted 40 or 25. We're seeing in stunning relief the inept bullpen handling of our manager. Why the hell is Domingo German there? They won't let him start, even though he's been a starter, and they could have used him to split Sevy's start and pitch the 7th, 8th and 9th.  Other than Betances who was unavailable, German has the best stuff.  We're gonna see Cessa today, and he's been unimpressive in SWB, so this could be another rough one.

Giants:  The Giants wrapped up mini-camp and are now off until the end of July.  We could see some roster moves, or maybe and extension or two, but things should be very quiet till training camp.

Knicks: The Knicks have about aone month window to boldy remake their roster and set a new course for the future.  To do that, they have to dump Melo, and trade O'Quinn and Lee for more picks.  What I'd like to see is a brilliant plan unfold including this weeks draft, where they have the #8 pick and two second rounders. We'll see what they do.  The team is a mess as currently constituted they need brilliance and luck.

Rangers: The Rangers have two drafts this week. The actual draft runs Friday and Saturday, but there's also the despicable expansion draft that will take place around then, but I'm not exactly sure when because I find it ridiculous.  This is the problem with Hockey: they don't trust the greatness of their own game to propel profits.  They have to dillute the level of competition every few years through needless expansions that bring a few millions to each owner, and I'd wager most don't pour it back into operations.  Hockey is a great, great sport, and they should be promoting the games and rivalries they already have instead of stealing players from ever team for a new team that won't be good anytime soon. Meanwhile, the Rangers are going to get robbed this week and there's nothing we can do about that, but they still have a draft to participate and they have a first round pick for the first time since they took Brady Skjei.  In other news, the Rangers might be marketing Derek Stepan.  If they do, decide to trade him they better get a huge take back.

Alright, so let's keep rooting for the Yanks, and hope for great plans for the Knicks and Rangers.  Have a great week everyone!

Mason Williams Re-Called

Mason Williams is on his way to Oakland.  He does pitch, so it's pretty clear Hicks is going on the DL. I don't like the lack of meritocracy here.  Both Frazier and Fowler have earned the chance, and, instead, they are just going with someone on the 40.  I don't dislike, Mason, he's just been hurt a lot and gotten passed.  Oh, and where the hell is Tyler Austin?

Yanks Sign Stephan for 800K

So, I think the Schmidt Pick just got better.  We've seen sources that say that Sauer has already agreed on a number, but apparently, Schmidt's deal allowed them to go overslot for Stephan, too.  Slot was 588, 700, so they had to come up with the extra - 5%, because they are allowed to go 5% over on the draft. Meanwhile, Stephan is a really interesting guy.  His fastball was apparently unhittable, and his slider came on at the end of the season.  He also throws a bad change up.   What you don't really see him do, is throw downhill.  He's 6'5" and I have a feeling that fixing the change and getting him to throw downhill will be what the Yanks focus on with Stephan.  He was up to 97 last summer, and one thing we can say with certainty is the Yanks have been great at helping pitchers find more velo.

UPDATE:  Surprised he cost so much given the fact that his coach had him throw 116 pitches against Oral Roberts.   He should have signed for an icepack!

Yanks Post Draft

Back when Stick was running things, close followers of the Yanks knew he was making smart decisions on a daily basis, both in his amateur signings, his draft picks, and in the way he protected those players from George, who could get impulsive and self destructive with trades.  Once the Yanks became dynastic again, they seemed to focus more of their intelligence on income streams like the YES Network, the new Stadium, and the Food business they have with Dallas.  The Yanks became the engine for something else, instead of monolithic and holy winning machine they were always meant to be.

During that period, they let scouts leave, started picking friends kids instead of prospects in the draft, and getting bilked by their own executives in the Dominican Republic. During a period of wild draft spending by teams like Pittsburgh and KC, the Yanks came nowhere near doing what they were capable of doing, and the system became sort of useless.

Then starting several years ago, the scouts started coming back along with other teams' best scouts and they started using cross-checkers again - what's more - they started using using their analytics team to supplement their scouts and started finding better players.

They also retooled their entire player development system, and now their farm system is as strong as it's been since the 1950's - better than it was undet Stick - and better than it was under Gabe Paul.  In fact, through drafting, great trades and IFA splurging, the system is now so jam packed, it's hard to find players good enough to join it.

They found a way this week.  Now there are two major things to talk about: first; what they did in the first and second rounds, and, second; all those RHP's they took.

So, on Monday night, in the midst of a multi-year prospect collecting tear - they took an injured guy.  Clarke Schmidt had been having an amazing junior season, topping out at 97 with two plus breaking pitches, a workable change and plenty of swing and miss. He was headed for the top 10, they he blew his UCL, and had to have TJS.

The Yanks were sitting at 16 for the second time in 3 years (and probably the last time for several years) and seemed to be focused on three preps.  They were Trevor Rogers, Nick Pratto and Matt Sauer. But they had also fallen in love with Clarke Schmidt, the ace of South Carolina, which has been one of their favorite programs as they've rebuilt the farm.  Schmidt was the wild card of the first round, as smart teams realized they could get him for underslot and save money for the rest of the draft.

When Rogers and Pratto went right before the Yanks pick, the Yanks could have taken Sauer. But had they done that, there is no way they were going to get a player as good as a healthy Schmidt in the second round.   So, they apparently made a side deal with Sauer and still got him in the second round.

Instead of ending up with one of their top RHP's and a lesser player in the second, they ended with two of their top targets.  That was smart and right off the bat gave them two more top 20 talents for their own system.  That was HUGE.

Then they spent the next two days of viable picks (ones we can reasonably expect to sign) they took a preponderance of RHP's.  It was like their default setting and they were always set for default.

But that's not what actually happened.

In comments after the draft, Damon Oppenheimer mentioned that they had been studying what had been working for them.  So it seems there was some sort of audit, and what they found was they were crushing it with power arms and power bats.  So in the rest of the top 10 rounds (and all of these players will sign) the Yanks took 6 power righties, one athletic lefty, and a prep slugger so deadly that his league was afraid to pitch to him.  That's a Yankee Bat.

In the next ten or so rounds, they still took a bunch of power righties, and two more Yankee Bats.  Steve Sensley is a lefty swinging homer guy and he will sign tomorrow and probably play RF for SI.  Eric Wagaman was a bit of a mystery because of limited  and bad stats, but he's a JUCO kid with awesome power and they will defenitely be signing for homers if they sign him.

As day three wore on ,they took more relievers, but given the success the Yanks are having with converted relievers like Chance Adams, we won't know how the see them till they sign. One of them, Bryan Blanton, the junior closer from Catawba College says he's signing tomorrow.

The Yanks took far fewer seniors than they had been taking, and took no 24 year olds, and only a couple of 23's and they seem like organizational replenishment, and hopefully future coaches/execs - I don't like to just discard the guys who don't make it, I like to keep them in the family.

Part of the reason they didn't take more seniors was over the last 15 or so rounds the Yanks took signability cases with hard commits.  We'll see if they get any of them, but they didn't draft a bunch of extra seniors, like they had been doing (because they are undervalued and cheap) and we'll have to wait and see if any of them decide to sign.

All we know right now is that the entire top 10 will sign, as well as picks 12 and 21.  We'll look at the rest as they sign.

Instead of drafting to the draft's strengths (which were limited) the Yanks drafted to their own strengths, and end up with at least two first round type talents, and maybe a lot more.

Giants Sign Evan Engram

The Giants, today, wrapped up Mini-Camp by signing Eric Engram.  He was their only unsigned pick and I'm sure his representation was only waitng for the rest of the slotted system to settle. Thank goodness he didn't pull a Jeff Hatch.

Reports: German Back to the Yanks and Domingo Acevedo to AAA

I'm hearing reports that the Yanks have recalled Domingo German along with Herrera and that Domingo Acevedo, who was murdering AA, has been promoted to AAA.  This is fantastic news for those who don't want to see the Yanks peel down their farm for a starter at the trade deadline.  It also creates three more spaces for all of those drafted RHP's to fill.

Yanks Finish Up with Prep SS Hayden Cantrelle

Hayden Cantrelle is a Seattle area SS who's got a commitment to Louisiana-Lafayette.  In rounds 38 and 39 the Yanks took two Juco pitchers, Brent Burgess is a righty and Andre Nardi is a lefty.  Who knows if any of these last 25 picks will sign.  There may not be enough room.

In 37, Yanks Take Prep RHP Tanner Burns

Tanner's 6'0" but 210.  Bulldog build and he's also taking it to Auburn.  Tanner was the 39th best prospect according to MLB.

In 36, Yanks Take Another Prep LHP

On Day 3, I usually only write up the signability guys or the intriguing finds. But now they are only picking signability guys, like LHP Andrew Abbott, who's 5'10 and 170 and has a UVA Commit.  Instead of telling a bunch of college seniors that they have no chance of making a roster, the Yanks are letting a bunch of signability guys who could, tell them. We'll see if any of these guys sign.

In 35, Yanks Take Prep C Steven Williams

Now they're just being cruel to those of use who wanted to see them do this every year before the pool rules came about.  And since those rules have come about we almost always take an intriguing catcher we don't sign.  Williams is a lefty hitting kid, with good size already.  His commit is to Auburn, and there's already news that he'll be attending.

In 34, Yanks Take A Prep LHP

Jordan Butler is 6'1" 180 and has a Florida commit. It will be hard to break, but he is from Tampa and that is the Yanks Southern back yard.  Still it's very clear that instead of filling these rounds with cheap signs, they're filling them with probably won't signs because they are too loaded.

In 33, A DES RHP

Yanks not only took another signability guy, they've added yet another guy they can call Rusty. Red hair seems to be a sub theme so far.  Anyway, Jacob Stevens is a RHP for Boston College, and it's clear that the way the Yanks are attacking their "overloaded minors" problem is by signing fewer guys who will sign, while hoping they can get one or two more longshots done.  This way they are forming relationships for the future, while not having to take a bunch of college seniors who they won't end up signing. Could work out.