The 2008 New York Yankees

Fighting Hellfish

Jwmcc wrote:

I really haven't understood the love affair with Melky. If Damon had not showed up well out of shape last spring Cabrera would have had like 200 at-bats. Not to mention that if you look at his '06 to '07 numbers, other than RBI and doubles, he actually regressed. I mean, hell, a full time outfielder who can't even crack a .400 slugging percentage? That isn't good.
Jw

I totally agree. melky's not that great and will go back to Bubba Crosby status once they get a real CF. I'm looking forward to watching gardner in spring training. I highly doubt he'll make the team, but he could be the CF/leadoff man of the future

intodeep

Fighting Hellfish wrote:

I totally agree. melky's not that great and will go back to Bubba Crosby status once they get a real CF. I'm looking forward to watching gardner in spring training. I highly doubt he'll make the team, but he could be the CF/leadoff man of the future

Obviously a lot of things to be seen still but I think Austin Jackson might be the CF of the future.

The yanks do have some good OF prospects to look at wtih Austin Jackson, Brett Gardner, & Jose Tabata.


Melky still has a little room to grow. His struggles early last year and in september really took his numbers down. If he could have a steady good season i could see him being a better then average CF. His defense is better then all the other bums at the Major league level at this point.

I would not have cried over losing melky though if he was shipped off in the right deal because they do have more OF talent coming.

NCBRI

Here's a listing of baseall's Top 100 Prospects from ESPN and Scouts Inc

Yanks Sign Morgan Ensberg to a minor league deal. He will have a chance to compete for the 1B job.

Fighting Hellfish

Just heard the Yankees signed Morgan Ensberg. Another potential power bat thrown into nthe 1B mix. Don't know if he could handle the defense, though

JSBE

interesting read. i knew of some, obviously not all.

New York Yankees

1. Joba Chamberlain - RHP - DOB: 09/23/85 - ETA: Now
4-0, 2.03 ERA, 25 H, 51/11 K/BB in 40 IP (A Tampa)
4-2, 3.35 ERA, 32 H, 66/15 K/BB in 40 1/3 IP (AA Trenton)
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 H, 18/1 K/BB in 8 IP (AAA Scranton)
2-0, 0.38 ERA, 12 H, 34/6 K/BB in 24 IP (AL New York)

Perhaps the game's most dominant reliever after being called up last season, Chamberlain is everything the Yankees could ask for in an heir to Mariano Rivera in the closer's role. Still, the rotation is likely where he belongs long-term and he's expected to spend most of 2008 starting, even if he begins the year in the bullpen in an effort to restrict his innings total. Chamberlain used a 96-100 mph heater and outstanding slider to succeed as a reliever. He'll return his curveball and changeup to the mix as a starter, though he may not need to use either a lot even if he loses three or four mph off his fastball. Just how strong those two pitches are will determine whether he develops into a legitimate ace. The curve has drawn the better reviews of the two.

2. Jose Tabata - OF - DOB: 08/12/88 - ETA: 2010
.307/.371/.392, 5 HR, 54 RBI, 70/33 K/BB, 15 SB in 411 AB (A Tampa)

The numbers Tabata has put up at such a young age relative to his competition the last two years make him look like a truly special player. However, his right wrist problems have to be taken into account. He's had issues for two years now, and it was reported by Baseball America last season that the Yankees had sent him to five different hand specialists. In August, he had the hamate bone removed. If it turns out that it was a cure-all, then Tabata should put in a nice showing as perhaps the youngest player in Double-A this season. If not, it'll be time to start getting very worried. Tabata projects as a quality defensive right fielder capable of hitting for average and displaying 20-homer, 40-double power.

3. Ian Kennedy - RHP - DOB: 12/19/84 - ETA: Now
6-1, 1.29 ERA, 39 H, 72/22 K/BB in 63 IP (A Tampa)
5-1, 2.59 ERA, 27 H, 57/17 K/BB in 48 2/3 IP (AA Trenton)
1-1, 2.08 ERA, 25 H, 34/11 K/BB in 34 2/3 IP (AAA Scranton)
1-0, 1.89 ERA, 13 H, 15/9 K/BB in 19 IP (AL New York)

Kennedy made some teams nervous when his velocity fell into the high-80s as a junior in college, but the Yankees took him 21st overall in the 2006 draft anyway and were pleasantly surprised when he resumed averaging about 90 mph with his fastball last season. As strong as his curveball and changeup are, he doesn't need to throw any harder than that to last as a middle-of-the-rotation starter in the majors. The Yankees will likely go into the season with him as their fifth starter if they decide to stick Chamberlain in the pen initially. An alternative would be for Kennedy to pitch in middle relief while waiting for a rotation spot to open up.

4. Austin Jackson - OF - DOB: 02/01/87 - ETA: 2010
.260/.336/.374, 3 HR, 25 BI, 59/24 K/BB, 19 SB in 235 AB (A- Charleston)
.345/.398/.566, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 48/22 K/BB, 13 SB in 258 AB (A Tampa)
.333/.600/.667, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2/2 K/BB, 1 SB in 3 AB (AAA Scranton)

When Jackson was moved up to the FSL in late June despite a 710 OPS in the Sally League, it seemed to be just another case of the Yankees being way too aggressive with a prospect. However, Jackson responded to the challenge right away and upped his stock more than any other prospect in baseball during the second half of the season. Still something of a raw talent, Jackson could blossom into a 25-homer guy despite his modest build. He's continuing to learn how to play center field, but he has the speed to last there, and it looks like he'll be a pretty good OBP guy after cutting well back on the strikeouts last season. Expecting him to make Melky Cabrera expendable after this season might be pushing it a little, but there's a good chance he'll prove to be the Yankees' long-term center fielder.

5. Alan Horne - RHP - DOB: 01/05/83 - ETA: Aug. 2008
12-4, 3.11 ERA, 149 H, 165/57 K/BB in 153 1/3 IP (AA Trenton)

Horne, who declined to sign after the Indians made him a first-round pick in 2001, developed into a legitimate prospect two seasons after helping pitch Florida into the finals of the College World Series in 2005. The Tommy John survivor has always had above average stuff, but his history of inconsistency dates back to his college days. If his performance over the first four months of last season demonstrates a new level of commitment, then he should be able to make it as a third or fourth starter. If not, his 90-95 mph fastball and quality curve could still play quite well in relief. I've seen more of him than I have any other pitcher in the minors and I'm still rather skeptical.

6. Dellin Betances - RHP - DOB: 03/23/88 - ETA: 2011
1-2, 3.60 ERA, 24 H, 29/17 K/BB in 25 IP (SS-A Staten Island)

Betances, listed at 6-foot-7 and 185 pounds, is the longest shot among the Yankees' top 10 prospects to have a significant career, but his upside warrants a spot. He just won't quite repeat in the top 150 after being shut down in July with forearm tendinitis. Betances can rush it to the plate in the mid-90s, and his hard curve should prove to be an out pitch in time. Still more of a thrower than a pitcher, he's yet to polish his changeup and he is pretty wild. Odds are that he'll continue to have arm issues, but if not, he could develop into a top starter someday. The compromise scenario would have him making an impact as a reliever in a few years.

7. Jesus Montero - C - DOB: 11/28/89 - ETA: 2012
.280/.366/.421, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 18/12 K/BB, 0 SB in 107 AB (R GCL Yankees)

Montero was arguably the prize of the 2006 international class and took a $2 million signing bonus from the Yankees. His pro debut last season was postponed by a sprained ankle, but he showed plenty of offensive potential after joining the GCL Yankees on July 16. Montero figures to someday offer 30-homer power, and he already shows a fairly advanced approach. If he were a better bet to remain behind the plate, he'd draw consideration as a top-150 prospect already. However, while few question his arm, his lack of receiving and blocking skills likely will eventually force a move to first base. He could develop into a star anyway, but obviously his margin for error isn't so great at the easier position.

8. Daniel McCutchen - RHP - DOB: 09/26/82 - ETA: June 2009
11-2, 2.50 ERA, 86 H, 67/21 K/BB in 101 IP (A Tampa)
3-2, 2.41 ERA, 30 H, 36/12 K/BB in 41 IP (AA Trenton)

McCutchen, a 2006 13th-round pick, got off to a late start last season because he still had some time to go on the 50-game steroids suspension he received two months after being drafted. Originally a reliever at Oklahoma, McCutchen works in the low-90s as a starter and does a nice job against lefties because of a splitter that acts like a changeup. He has a ways to go with his curve, and there's a good chance he'll end up back in the bullpen if he remains with the Yankees. He'd have a better chance of making it as a fourth starter elsewhere.

9. Humberto Sanchez - RHP - DOB: 05/28/83 - ETA: Aug. 2008

Sanchez, the best of the three prospects the Yankees picked up from the Tigers for Gary Sheffield, missed last season following Tommy John surgery. In 2006, he went 10-6 with a 2.63 ERA, 97 H and 129/47 K/BB in 123 IP between Double- and Triple-A. With a mid-90s fastball and a sharp curve, Sanchez possesses closer potential as a reliever. He could make it as a starter, but his command would have to improve considerably. He's going to miss at least the first month of this season, so it's unlikely he'll be seen in the Bronx until after the All-Star break.

10. Jeff Marquez - RHP - DOB: 08/10/84 - ETA: Sept. 2008
15-9, 3.65 ERA, 166 H, 94/44 K/BB in 155 1/3 IP (AA Trenton)

Marquez pitched well enough to win 15 games in the Eastern League as a 22-year-old, but he didn't help his stock very much last year with both his strikeout rate and his groundball rate tumbling. In 2006, he had an 82/29 K/BB ratio in 92 1/3 IP in the FSL and got two outs on the ground for each one through the air. In 2008, he finished at a fairly standard 1.4:1. With a legitimate low-90s fastball, Marquez still has room left to develop. He'll need to improve either his curveball or his change in order to make it.


Next five: 1B Juan Miranda, RHP Jonathan Albaladejo, OF Brett Gardner, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Kevin Whelan

The Yankees' list really drops off after the top four, with Horne as the only other prospect set to make the Top 150. However, there's an awful lot of depth here. While their prospects in the 5-15 range don't match up so well, they probably have as much upside after No. 15 as any team. Andrew Brackman and Jairo Heredia are a couple of big-time arms, Austin Romine and Francisco Cervelli are interesting catcher prospects and there are several more potential setup men, with Mark Melancon leading the way.

Miranda, a Cuban defector, would rank eighth on the list if we knew for sure that he was really 24. He's probably 26 or so, but he still could contribute as a platoon first baseman. … Albaladejo and Ohlendorf will get chances to win bullpen spots out of spring training. ... Gardner, who offers tons of speed and some on-base ability from the left side, should prove to be a better version of Jason Tyner.

2007 top 15: Phil Hughes, Jose Tabata, Humberto Sanchez, Tyler Clippard, Joba Chamberlain, Eric Duncan, Dellin Betances, Kevin Whelan, J. Brent Cox, Ross Ohlendorf, Brett Gardner, Ian Kennedy, Christian Garcia, Austin Jackson, Jeff Marquez

intodeep

JSBE wrote:

interesting read. i knew of some, obviously not all.

info from rotoworld.com right?
I love that site!

I also read on hughes blog he will be taking the number 34. not that big of a deal but i know i want to get a hughes jersey and now i'm glad i waited!

NCBRI

New Yankee Stadium $500 million over original budget

Ha, Ha! Hideki Matsui fans song Hikari No Michi. It sounds like it came from Bridge on the River Kwai or something.

xavier mcdaniel

might as well bring this back as all the players have reported to spring training..

BetterManningNYG

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

might as well bring this back as all the players have reported to spring training..

this is encouraging:

Hughes hitting glove with more force

it sounds like most players reported to camp in much better shape than last year, as girardi warned them that there would be a lot more running than in the past. bobby abreu and johnny damon are most notable here, since both were hopelessly out of shape in '07 and neither got on track until the second half the season. derek jeter supposedly changed his offseason routine in an attempt to gain agility and improve his range. let's just hope it works. and apparently this is brian bruney now. :eek: him and joba have been on the edwar ramirez diet. now all bruney has to do is remember how to pitch and the yankees will be in business.

also... this was supposed to be andy pettitte's 2008 player photo, but it got ruined somehow. this made me laugh.

xavier mcdaniel

another thing, I like Joe Torre as much as anyone but I have to say that I'm bothered hearing that players like Damon and Abreu weren't in shape at the start of 2007. Obviously it's their job to get in shape but it's also the managers job to conduct workouts that get them in shape and it appears Torre didn't do that, which is kind of an indictment on him.

BetterManningNYG

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

another thing, I like Joe Torre as much as anyone but I have to say that I'm bothered hearing that players like Damon and Abreu weren't in shape at the start of 2007. Obviously it's their job to get in shape but it's also the managers job to conduct workouts that get them in shape and it appears Torre didn't do that, which is kind of an indictment on him.

i feel the same way. the theory at the time was that they needed a player's manager to balance all the egos. joe girardi is not a player's manager, and i think there was some concern that he'd lose the clubhouse.

but so far, everyone seems to be on board with his program. even mussina apparently looks like he's been working out. :eek: from what i've read, it seems like a more motivated group this year. that could make for an exciting season. maybe girardi was just what they needed.

i also like the way he pays attention to the minor league prospects. torre didn't even know who joba was until the yankees called him up.

i'm not trying to bash torre, but i just really like the way girardi is handling things right now.

xavier mcdaniel

speaking of joba, it's a little early to be calling someone the next joba isn't it. i saw this in the star-ledger.

http://www.nj.com/yankees/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1203744975220970.xml&coll=1

Drop The Leash 10

...will come in third place in the AL East this season.

BetterManningNYG

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

speaking of joba, it's a little early to be calling someone the next joba isn't it. i saw this in the star-ledger.

http://www.nj.com/yankees/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1203744975220970.xml&coll=1

oh yeah... nardi contreras has been using that label since last fall. it seems a little unfair to call anybody "the next joba."

it sounds like they think mark melancon is the real deal. he was one of the top college closers in '06, but he's never pitched above short-season A-ball and he spent all of '07 recovering from tommy john surgery.

it's hard to imagine him making an impact in '08.

xavier mcdaniel

maybe late 2009 or 2010, but either way, it's nice to read that the cycle might not end with kennedy, chamberlain and hughes.

BetterManningNYG

speaking of which:

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080221&content_id=2382413&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy

BTW, single game tickets go on sale friday for anyone who's interested.

Fighting Hellfish

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

another thing, I like Joe Torre as much as anyone but I have to say that I'm bothered hearing that players like Damon and Abreu weren't in shape at the start of 2007. Obviously it's their job to get in shape but it's also the managers job to conduct workouts that get them in shape and it appears Torre didn't do that, which is kind of an indictment on him.

Agreed. i think Torre's lackadaisacal approch was a big reason for the slow starts of the past few years. 2005, i think they were 11-19 or so when the brought up Wand and Cano. And lastyear, i think they were 21-29 or so. I bet they get off to a hot start this year. No more Camp Country Club

NCBRI

Season is getting closer. I can't wait. Nice to see guys are actually getting into shape also.

BTW......I have one opening in my fantasy baseball league if anyone is interested. It is first come first serve.

Yahoo Fantasy Baseball

League ID: 12283
Password: password

MyHandsBound

NCBRI wrote:

Season is getting closer. I can't wait. Nice to see guys are actually getting into shape also.

BTW......I have one opening in my fantasy baseball league if anyone is interested. It is first come first serve.

Yahoo Fantasy Baseball

League ID: 12283
Password: password

I registered a team, called the Spankees....I'm not sure how it all works, I've never participated in fantasy sports but I'll read all of the instructions later:)

NCBRI

MyHandsBound wrote:

I registered a team, called the Spankees....I'm not sure how it all works, I've never participated in fantasy sports but I'll read all of the instructions later:)

Welcome to the league. It's easy, you'll get it once we start playing. Just look over the rules briefly and draft well.