Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
A's Yankees Preview
The New York Yankees' road trip was hardly inspiring, but the last game may have provided at least a little momentum.
The slumping Yankees (36-39) open a three-game set with Oakland Athletics on Friday, hoping to rebound during a nine-game homestand leading into the All-Star break.
New York returns home after being swept by the Colorado Rockies, losing two of three at San Francisco and dropping the first two games of a series with the Baltimore Orioles. Thursday's finale was suspended in the eighth inning following a 1 hour, 25 minute rain delay with the Yankees leading 8-6.
The Yankees rallied from a four-run deficit. Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano each drove in a run in the eighth, and Derek Jeter lined a two-run single up the middle to take the lead. Play was halted seconds later.
''It was good to see us come back the way we did. It does a lot for us to leave here on a note like that,'' New York manager Joe Torre said. ''The road trip has been horrible. It is good to come away knowing that the last thing we did was good.''
The game will resume at the point it stopped when the Yankees return to Camden Yards on July 27.
''Hopefully we can go home and build off this,'' Torre said. ''We didn't get a result yet.''
The Athletics (40-38) are dealing with similar struggles. They have lost nine of their last 12 games, including three of four to the Cleveland Indians concluding with a 4-3 defeat Thursday.
''I'm not happy going 1-3 here,'' Oakland manager Bob Geren said. ''We just didn't get it done.''
Oakland relievers were charged with two of the losses in the series, and gave up 13 earned runs over 9 2-3 innings.
''It's no secret our bullpen has been wearing it,'' said Ron Flores, who took the loss Thursday after he yielded a three-run homer to Jason Michaels in the seventh inning to squander a two-run lead. ''Hopefully, it's just a rough patch.''
Athletics starter Joe Kennedy (2-5, 3.98 ERA) is also struggling, going winless in his last three outings. The left-hander allowed five runs and eight hits in a season-low four innings of Sunday's 10-2 loss to the New York Mets.
Kennedy is 3-5 with a 5.82 ERA in nine starts and five relief appearances against the Yankees. Jeter is 10-for-21 (.476) with three homers against him.
Mike Mussina (3-5, 4.98) will take the mound for New York. The veteran right-hander is 1-4 with a 5.06 ERA in his last eight starts. He's dropped his last two outings, including Sunday's start against the San Francisco Giants, when he allowed three runs - two earned - in five innings of a 7-2 loss while throwing a season-high 105 pitches.
The slumping Yankees (36-39) open a three-game set with Oakland Athletics on Friday, hoping to rebound during a nine-game homestand leading into the All-Star break.
New York returns home after being swept by the Colorado Rockies, losing two of three at San Francisco and dropping the first two games of a series with the Baltimore Orioles. Thursday's finale was suspended in the eighth inning following a 1 hour, 25 minute rain delay with the Yankees leading 8-6.
The Yankees rallied from a four-run deficit. Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano each drove in a run in the eighth, and Derek Jeter lined a two-run single up the middle to take the lead. Play was halted seconds later.
''It was good to see us come back the way we did. It does a lot for us to leave here on a note like that,'' New York manager Joe Torre said. ''The road trip has been horrible. It is good to come away knowing that the last thing we did was good.''
The game will resume at the point it stopped when the Yankees return to Camden Yards on July 27.
''Hopefully we can go home and build off this,'' Torre said. ''We didn't get a result yet.''
The Athletics (40-38) are dealing with similar struggles. They have lost nine of their last 12 games, including three of four to the Cleveland Indians concluding with a 4-3 defeat Thursday.
''I'm not happy going 1-3 here,'' Oakland manager Bob Geren said. ''We just didn't get it done.''
Oakland relievers were charged with two of the losses in the series, and gave up 13 earned runs over 9 2-3 innings.
''It's no secret our bullpen has been wearing it,'' said Ron Flores, who took the loss Thursday after he yielded a three-run homer to Jason Michaels in the seventh inning to squander a two-run lead. ''Hopefully, it's just a rough patch.''
Athletics starter Joe Kennedy (2-5, 3.98 ERA) is also struggling, going winless in his last three outings. The left-hander allowed five runs and eight hits in a season-low four innings of Sunday's 10-2 loss to the New York Mets.
Kennedy is 3-5 with a 5.82 ERA in nine starts and five relief appearances against the Yankees. Jeter is 10-for-21 (.476) with three homers against him.
Mike Mussina (3-5, 4.98) will take the mound for New York. The veteran right-hander is 1-4 with a 5.06 ERA in his last eight starts. He's dropped his last two outings, including Sunday's start against the San Francisco Giants, when he allowed three runs - two earned - in five innings of a 7-2 loss while throwing a season-high 105 pitches.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Abreau Down In Order
Right fielder Bobby Abreu had never hit eighth in the order in his 13-year career.
Until Tuesday night.
Abreu hit just .208 in May, his lowest single-month average. Over the first seven games of the Yankees' current nine-game road swing, he's 4-for-28 with just one RBI. New York manager Joe Torre stuck Abreu in the eight-hole in the opening game of a three-game set in Baltimore on Tuesday, and Abreu went 1-for-4.
But Torre said another move, this one with more potential impact, could be the answer. Abreu hit in the fifth spot on Wednesday, a switch Torre said will put a little more responsibility on Abreu's bat, something he feeds off on a regular basis.
"Bobby takes on a great deal of responsibility emotionally, and I think sometimes it works against him," Torre said. "Every time we lose a game he feels personally responsible. Do I want to change that? No, because I wouldn't want to change what he's made of. He needs to take the walks, hit the singles and do things like that. That's why he's so effective in the three-hole for us when he's hitting."
Unfortunately, he's simply not hitting. Abreu, a career .300 hitter, is batting .257 this season. He finished a season with a lower average only twice -- in his first two seasons in the Majors. Abreu has now hit in six different positions in the Yankee lineup this season, the most he's ever been shuffled in his career. Torre said the slump has gotten to the point where Abreu is trying to pull the ball and fighting too much at the plate. But positive signs from Tuesday's performance motivated Torre to push Abreu a little higher.
"You hook on anything, the line drive to left field and the base hit [Tuesday]," Torre said. "When you're trying to pull the ball, you are basically giving away half the plate and it makes it tougher. Usually pulling the ball is just a reaction, not something you consciously try to do. To me, when he's fighting himself like this, he's getting to the point of wanting to do too much."
Torre stated that the devotion with which Abreu approaches the game is a key factor in the prolonged nature of his struggles.
"He puts more blame on himself and it seems to mount up," Torre said. "Instead of leaving yesterday, yesterday and coming in today, he seems to have it mount up on him. He's very quiet and very professional and a great teammate for everybody. But again, there's something to be said that when it means so much to you and you care so much, you fight it too much and that's what he's doing right now."
Cheerleading, not closing: Torre said he's worried about veteran closer Mariano Rivera's light workload this season affecting his consistency. Rivera has only worked in 27 games this year and has nine saves, while he pitched in 62 games last season and finished with 34 saves.
"It's a concern," Torre said. "He's become a cheerleader, unfortunately. He's out here on the bench pulling for guys. Mentally he's fine, but the only problem is that it's nice to get him into a routine, and we haven't been able to do that."
Torre said in Spring Training that he wouldn't use Rivera before the eighth inning, but he's been forced to go back on his word, partly because of New York's inability to win close games. The Yankees are a Major League-worst 4-13 in one-run contests, a record which takes precious outings away from their capable closer.
"There are certain situations where you get to a point of wanting to use him," Torre said of his predicament. "Once you commit to him, there isn't free substitution, and you have to take him out. You have a lot of games where you almost say to yourself, 'Wow, this game is out of hand, let's get him in there.'"
Another issue taking away from Rivera's appearances is the problem the rest of the bullpen has had, as it leads the Majors with 138 walks.
"What we need to do is to go out there and be able to bring somebody out of the bullpen who's going to throw strike one," Torre said. "That's the thing that's missing from other bullpens that we've had."
Still searching for 350: Roger Clemens made his third start in search of his 350th career win on Wednesday, trying to become the seventh player ever to accomplish that feat. The milestone win has special meaning to Torre, who remembers catching Warren Spahn's 350th win in 1963 as a member of the Milwaukee Braves. Spahn was the last pitcher to reach the 350-win mark. Having seen what it takes to reach that plateau, Torre spoke Wednesday about the respect he has for both Clemens and the pitchers that came before him.
"I think it's a lot tougher I think to maintain your dedication and determination and health issues," Torre said of reaching 350 wins in modern baseball. "Roger mixes it up and looks at every aspect of his game. He was here last night watching and asking questions. He knows in his mind what he's going to do. That's what's remarkable for me. Watching Roger at his age, he takes nothing for granted and works every hitter, even the day before he pitches."
Quotable: "It's uncomfortable, it's frustrating, and certainly nothing good comes from it. We've had bad counts out of the bullpen. I know it's a matter of trying to make good pitches, but there's only so much plate to pitch to." -- Torre, on the Yankees bullpen's Major League-leading 138 walks
Up next: The Yanks wrap up their series in Baltimore and their road trip on Thursday when Chien-Ming Wang (7-4, 3.51) faces Daniel Cabrera (6-8, 4.98). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.
Until Tuesday night.
Abreu hit just .208 in May, his lowest single-month average. Over the first seven games of the Yankees' current nine-game road swing, he's 4-for-28 with just one RBI. New York manager Joe Torre stuck Abreu in the eight-hole in the opening game of a three-game set in Baltimore on Tuesday, and Abreu went 1-for-4.
But Torre said another move, this one with more potential impact, could be the answer. Abreu hit in the fifth spot on Wednesday, a switch Torre said will put a little more responsibility on Abreu's bat, something he feeds off on a regular basis.
"Bobby takes on a great deal of responsibility emotionally, and I think sometimes it works against him," Torre said. "Every time we lose a game he feels personally responsible. Do I want to change that? No, because I wouldn't want to change what he's made of. He needs to take the walks, hit the singles and do things like that. That's why he's so effective in the three-hole for us when he's hitting."
Unfortunately, he's simply not hitting. Abreu, a career .300 hitter, is batting .257 this season. He finished a season with a lower average only twice -- in his first two seasons in the Majors. Abreu has now hit in six different positions in the Yankee lineup this season, the most he's ever been shuffled in his career. Torre said the slump has gotten to the point where Abreu is trying to pull the ball and fighting too much at the plate. But positive signs from Tuesday's performance motivated Torre to push Abreu a little higher.
"You hook on anything, the line drive to left field and the base hit [Tuesday]," Torre said. "When you're trying to pull the ball, you are basically giving away half the plate and it makes it tougher. Usually pulling the ball is just a reaction, not something you consciously try to do. To me, when he's fighting himself like this, he's getting to the point of wanting to do too much."
Torre stated that the devotion with which Abreu approaches the game is a key factor in the prolonged nature of his struggles.
"He puts more blame on himself and it seems to mount up," Torre said. "Instead of leaving yesterday, yesterday and coming in today, he seems to have it mount up on him. He's very quiet and very professional and a great teammate for everybody. But again, there's something to be said that when it means so much to you and you care so much, you fight it too much and that's what he's doing right now."
Cheerleading, not closing: Torre said he's worried about veteran closer Mariano Rivera's light workload this season affecting his consistency. Rivera has only worked in 27 games this year and has nine saves, while he pitched in 62 games last season and finished with 34 saves.
"It's a concern," Torre said. "He's become a cheerleader, unfortunately. He's out here on the bench pulling for guys. Mentally he's fine, but the only problem is that it's nice to get him into a routine, and we haven't been able to do that."
Torre said in Spring Training that he wouldn't use Rivera before the eighth inning, but he's been forced to go back on his word, partly because of New York's inability to win close games. The Yankees are a Major League-worst 4-13 in one-run contests, a record which takes precious outings away from their capable closer.
"There are certain situations where you get to a point of wanting to use him," Torre said of his predicament. "Once you commit to him, there isn't free substitution, and you have to take him out. You have a lot of games where you almost say to yourself, 'Wow, this game is out of hand, let's get him in there.'"
Another issue taking away from Rivera's appearances is the problem the rest of the bullpen has had, as it leads the Majors with 138 walks.
"What we need to do is to go out there and be able to bring somebody out of the bullpen who's going to throw strike one," Torre said. "That's the thing that's missing from other bullpens that we've had."
Still searching for 350: Roger Clemens made his third start in search of his 350th career win on Wednesday, trying to become the seventh player ever to accomplish that feat. The milestone win has special meaning to Torre, who remembers catching Warren Spahn's 350th win in 1963 as a member of the Milwaukee Braves. Spahn was the last pitcher to reach the 350-win mark. Having seen what it takes to reach that plateau, Torre spoke Wednesday about the respect he has for both Clemens and the pitchers that came before him.
"I think it's a lot tougher I think to maintain your dedication and determination and health issues," Torre said of reaching 350 wins in modern baseball. "Roger mixes it up and looks at every aspect of his game. He was here last night watching and asking questions. He knows in his mind what he's going to do. That's what's remarkable for me. Watching Roger at his age, he takes nothing for granted and works every hitter, even the day before he pitches."
Quotable: "It's uncomfortable, it's frustrating, and certainly nothing good comes from it. We've had bad counts out of the bullpen. I know it's a matter of trying to make good pitches, but there's only so much plate to pitch to." -- Torre, on the Yankees bullpen's Major League-leading 138 walks
Up next: The Yanks wrap up their series in Baltimore and their road trip on Thursday when Chien-Ming Wang (7-4, 3.51) faces Daniel Cabrera (6-8, 4.98). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. ET.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Yankee Draft Selections Overview
NoMaas.org: Interview # 2 with Perfect Game's Patrick Ebert -- Review of the Yankees draft by NoMaas' Lane Meyer
1) So the NoMaas readers are torn. They realize the high ceiling Brackman has, but the legitimate concerns about his health, consistency, and talent as it applies to a professional level nags them. What, if anything, is the difference between Brackman and a guy ike Daniel Bard, whom the Red Sox drafted last year?
The sky is the limit with Brackman, and as I believe I noted in our discussion last week, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Yankees follow Brackman's progress this summer before offering him a big contract before the August 15 signing deadline. The way Brackman's season ended there are obviously reasons for concern, but how his arm responds this summer will be huge.
I don't think Daniel Bard is a fair comparison, other than maybe the fact that they both have extremely high ceilings yet possibly not the greatest present day package. Brackman's height just makes it difficult to compare him to anyone.
2) The NoMaas staff likes what we have read about Austin Romine, but was he a reach here? Is it fair to say that if he had been able to catch all year he would have been taken earlier? What are your thoughts on his bat?
Romine might have been an overdraft, but the team might have been looking for a player that they really liked that they felt would sign quickly for slot value given the number of players they took that will likely be very tough signs (including Brackman). Big-time arm, good bloodlines, and a promising bat.
3) Are Ryan Pope and Adam Olbrychowski as generic as their reports sound? Are these guys similar to George Kontos and Tim Norton from last year's Yankee draft?
That's a fair assessment. I think both Pope and Olbrychowski are good, not great, prospects. They have good stuff and have good results, similar to Kontos and Norton, and similar to Romine, the team likely was looking to add some quality players to their system that they don't have to worry about them signing or not given the number of players they selected that likely will give them some negotiating headaches.
4) The pick that started the excitement for me personally was Brad Suttle. NoMaas has been clamoring for ages now that the Yankees should use there financial advantage in the draft, and this pick seemed to stamp their desire to take talent, even if it was going to cost them more money. What do you see Suttle's ceiling as with the bat? Is a > Jose Vidro type a good comparison? If he goes back for his junior year, do you think he has a shot at the 1st round in 2008?
Suttle is one of the players I am referring to above when I talk about the number of players that will likely cost more money than slot. Suttle has a ton of negotiating power as a draft-eligible sophomore (and a true sophomore at that). Vidro may be a sound comp, but I think Bill Mueller may be an even better one. Solid bat, gap power, some over the fence power, a trained eye, and solid defense at the hot corner. Like Mueller I think Suttle could have a very solid career with a few All-Star type campaigns mixed in.
5) In the 5 picks in rounds 6-10, Oppenheimer took 5 signability cases: Richard Weems, Damon Sublett, Taylor Grote, Austin Krum, and Carmen Angelini. Can you give us a quick opinion on each (how should Sublet be developed?), and what you think the odds on them signing are?
Being drafted in the 6-10 range is still a good place to be drafted, although the Yankees may take all of them to the signing deadline depending on how Brackman fairs this summer. The team may have to choose between signing Brackman and signing a few of these other guys when it is all said and done.
I think Weems can be signed. He's a sixth rounder that reportedly was looking for early round money. I would guess a bonus comparable to a third or fourth rounder could make it happen.
Angelini is interesting because he's a talent shortstop, yet won't do himself any favors going to Rice, where they have a young recruit (Rick Hague) ready to take over for Brian Friday. Hague was taken in the 37th round by the Brewers, so it is unlikely he doesn't step onto Rice's campus. It may take a half million or more to make it happen, and Rice is a tough school to pry kids away from, but I think it can happen.
Sublett had a very good spring, and he has to be encouraged being selected as high as he was despite not having as good of a season that he knows he can have. I have a feeling that he may end up back at Wichita State, although again, it may depend on whether or not the team signs Brackman. Sublett could be a sandwich pick at full health, which means close to seven figures.
I don't have as strong of a read on Grote or Krum, but it's interesting that among these picks the Yankees have taken four high schoolers with reported strong college commitments. I'm going to guess they get at least two of them signed. Keep in mind, most teams are able to sign most to all of their top 10 picks, particularly when they don't have additional compensatory selections to sign, and the Yankees have clearly put a greater emphasis on player development in recent years, so they may be prepared to spend some money to continue to bolster their system.
6) Late in the draft the Yankees took 2 high-profile signability cases: draft-eligible sophomore Chris Carpenter of Kent State, and Oregon State commit Greg Peavey. Do you see either of these guys willing to take money and opt out of school, or are they just shots in the dark? What can you tell us about Peavey's stuff? We hear he, like many other top HS arms this year, had his velocity drop during showcases.
Carpenter was taken early enough that the Yankees are probably serious about making a run at him. He may be another guy that may be better suited returning to college now that he is clearly on scout's radars. With another big year at Kent State, removing himself one more year from his Tommy John surgery could really help his stock for the 2008 draft. This guy was being considered for the late first round, so again money will play a huge factor.
Peavey has great stuff. He's a sinker-slider pitcher that doesn't know how to throw any pitch straight. His fastball dives and darts, even if it is in the 88-91 range, and his slider is a nasty, nasty breaking pitch. I think Peavey may be plan B more than anyone else if the Yankees are unable to sign Brackman. Peavey is probably the team's toughest player to sign given where he was taken, and is likely to be pitching for Oregon State next spring.
7) Since this is the 7th question, we'll ask about the 7th pick, that of your favorite team. What the HECK were the Brewers thinking drafting Laporta there? I can tell you the NoMaas staff loves the team the Brewers have assembled, and we actively felt bad for you guys when we saw that pick go up.
I can't help but smile when reading this question. Every single Brewers fan was shocked when LaPorta's name was called, but at the same time I think they were somewhat relieved in that a prep pitcher wasn't selected after numerous reports that the Brewers were targeting players such as Phillippe Aumont, Jarrod Parker and Madison Bumgarner. There were a few positional players in the mix, but if you haven't noticed, the Brewers haven't had the greatest of luck with the high school pitchers they have selected in the first round in recent years.
Power is (or was) the Brewers biggest organizational weakness after Ryan Braun was promoted to the big leagues, and after our conversation last week, I reminded myself that I had LaPorta ranked as the fourth best prospect entering the 2006 draft season. While he was incredibly disappointing as a junior, his senior season was nothing short of sensational, and he managed to completely change his approach at the plate, laying off soft stuff outside while drastically reducing the strikeouts.
Also, we had word that the Brewers brass had LaPorta workout for them at the home park of their high-A affiliate in the Florida State League, a park and league that surpresses offensive numbers, and LaPorta put on a show.
Don't feel bad for us, the Brewers under the guidance of Jack Zduriencik have groomed some incredible hitting talents, and also keep in mind that no one would have drafted Prince Fielder as high as seventh overall in 2002, and Ryan Braun was considered somewhat of a reach in 2005.
8) Greg Holle out of Christian Brothers Academy in NY is a monster at > 6'8", 210 LBS. If you would, tell us what you know about him, and is > his TCU commitment ironclad?
Holle is an interesting prospect, that draws quite a few comparisons to Richie Sexson, but is actually more similar to a player that has also received a lot of Richie Sexson comparisons, Corey Hart. Like Hart, Holle is very athletic, with very good speed for his size, and almost equal upside as both a hitter and as a pitcher. I would have to think that he is without a doubt TCU bound given where he was drafted, unless the regional selection has anything to do with giving a hometown discount of sorts. He is probably best off heading to college where he may star as a hitter and as a pitcher.
9) NoMassians everywhere rejoiced at the Yankees picking so many > signability cases. If you would, please rank these guys on how badly you would want them in the minors of your organization, with no regard to pricetag. Also, are there clear groups in the list in terms of dropoffs in talent?:
Suttle Sublett Weems Sublett Grote Krum Carpenter Peavey Angelini Barreda Holle
Tough question. I'll do my best...
Suttle Peavey Weems Carpenter Sublett Angelini Grote Holle Krum Barreda
I love pure hitters, and Suttle was one of the best in the draft. I also love pitchers that control the strike zone with stuff that doesn't go straight, given my interest in Peavey. Weems is a pretty exciting catching talent, and Carpenter has good stuff. Sublett is such a scrappy player, and the rest of the players as listed all of their strengths and weaknesses.
10) How do you think the Yankees did overall?
It depends on how many player the Yankees end up signing. If they sign 7 or 8 out of 10 of the players listed above, they had an amazingly successful draft, as they clearly took some players that had some serious signability issues, which seemingly has been mentioned with every one of my answers here. The talent is there, and as I noted above, it's clear the Yankees are very serious about building the talent base back up from within.
The only thing I would nitpick about is the lack of power. For a system that is very top heavy with arms, the Yankees from an outside perspective seem to lack the big, legit power bats, and while a few of their picks have some power and could easily develop power, there still is not that one guy that would seem to strike fear in the opposing pitchers, whether it be at rookie ball or AA.
But then again, the joke around the rest of the country is that the Yankees buys these types of players anyway.
I want to give props to the Yankees for two other players they selected that haven't been previously mentioned: Ryan Zink and Ryan Wehrle.
Zink is an incredible young man that has really worked hard to recover from Tommy John surgery from a year ago. He has done everything right in his career, and has said all of the right things. He could have been a third rounder a year ago if it weren't for the injury set-back, and some teams were reportedly looking to draft him despite not pitching at all. He has gone from a skinny, somewhat awkward gentle giant into a well-built stud given his determination and dedication to the game.
If Wehrle gets his head on straight, he could be a sleeper. I'm not sure if he'll end up signing, but really he should, because players like this that have a history of problems over the years tend to only hurt themselves the more they hold out.
1) So the NoMaas readers are torn. They realize the high ceiling Brackman has, but the legitimate concerns about his health, consistency, and talent as it applies to a professional level nags them. What, if anything, is the difference between Brackman and a guy ike Daniel Bard, whom the Red Sox drafted last year?
The sky is the limit with Brackman, and as I believe I noted in our discussion last week, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Yankees follow Brackman's progress this summer before offering him a big contract before the August 15 signing deadline. The way Brackman's season ended there are obviously reasons for concern, but how his arm responds this summer will be huge.
I don't think Daniel Bard is a fair comparison, other than maybe the fact that they both have extremely high ceilings yet possibly not the greatest present day package. Brackman's height just makes it difficult to compare him to anyone.
2) The NoMaas staff likes what we have read about Austin Romine, but was he a reach here? Is it fair to say that if he had been able to catch all year he would have been taken earlier? What are your thoughts on his bat?
Romine might have been an overdraft, but the team might have been looking for a player that they really liked that they felt would sign quickly for slot value given the number of players they took that will likely be very tough signs (including Brackman). Big-time arm, good bloodlines, and a promising bat.
3) Are Ryan Pope and Adam Olbrychowski as generic as their reports sound? Are these guys similar to George Kontos and Tim Norton from last year's Yankee draft?
That's a fair assessment. I think both Pope and Olbrychowski are good, not great, prospects. They have good stuff and have good results, similar to Kontos and Norton, and similar to Romine, the team likely was looking to add some quality players to their system that they don't have to worry about them signing or not given the number of players they selected that likely will give them some negotiating headaches.
4) The pick that started the excitement for me personally was Brad Suttle. NoMaas has been clamoring for ages now that the Yankees should use there financial advantage in the draft, and this pick seemed to stamp their desire to take talent, even if it was going to cost them more money. What do you see Suttle's ceiling as with the bat? Is a > Jose Vidro type a good comparison? If he goes back for his junior year, do you think he has a shot at the 1st round in 2008?
Suttle is one of the players I am referring to above when I talk about the number of players that will likely cost more money than slot. Suttle has a ton of negotiating power as a draft-eligible sophomore (and a true sophomore at that). Vidro may be a sound comp, but I think Bill Mueller may be an even better one. Solid bat, gap power, some over the fence power, a trained eye, and solid defense at the hot corner. Like Mueller I think Suttle could have a very solid career with a few All-Star type campaigns mixed in.
5) In the 5 picks in rounds 6-10, Oppenheimer took 5 signability cases: Richard Weems, Damon Sublett, Taylor Grote, Austin Krum, and Carmen Angelini. Can you give us a quick opinion on each (how should Sublet be developed?), and what you think the odds on them signing are?
Being drafted in the 6-10 range is still a good place to be drafted, although the Yankees may take all of them to the signing deadline depending on how Brackman fairs this summer. The team may have to choose between signing Brackman and signing a few of these other guys when it is all said and done.
I think Weems can be signed. He's a sixth rounder that reportedly was looking for early round money. I would guess a bonus comparable to a third or fourth rounder could make it happen.
Angelini is interesting because he's a talent shortstop, yet won't do himself any favors going to Rice, where they have a young recruit (Rick Hague) ready to take over for Brian Friday. Hague was taken in the 37th round by the Brewers, so it is unlikely he doesn't step onto Rice's campus. It may take a half million or more to make it happen, and Rice is a tough school to pry kids away from, but I think it can happen.
Sublett had a very good spring, and he has to be encouraged being selected as high as he was despite not having as good of a season that he knows he can have. I have a feeling that he may end up back at Wichita State, although again, it may depend on whether or not the team signs Brackman. Sublett could be a sandwich pick at full health, which means close to seven figures.
I don't have as strong of a read on Grote or Krum, but it's interesting that among these picks the Yankees have taken four high schoolers with reported strong college commitments. I'm going to guess they get at least two of them signed. Keep in mind, most teams are able to sign most to all of their top 10 picks, particularly when they don't have additional compensatory selections to sign, and the Yankees have clearly put a greater emphasis on player development in recent years, so they may be prepared to spend some money to continue to bolster their system.
6) Late in the draft the Yankees took 2 high-profile signability cases: draft-eligible sophomore Chris Carpenter of Kent State, and Oregon State commit Greg Peavey. Do you see either of these guys willing to take money and opt out of school, or are they just shots in the dark? What can you tell us about Peavey's stuff? We hear he, like many other top HS arms this year, had his velocity drop during showcases.
Carpenter was taken early enough that the Yankees are probably serious about making a run at him. He may be another guy that may be better suited returning to college now that he is clearly on scout's radars. With another big year at Kent State, removing himself one more year from his Tommy John surgery could really help his stock for the 2008 draft. This guy was being considered for the late first round, so again money will play a huge factor.
Peavey has great stuff. He's a sinker-slider pitcher that doesn't know how to throw any pitch straight. His fastball dives and darts, even if it is in the 88-91 range, and his slider is a nasty, nasty breaking pitch. I think Peavey may be plan B more than anyone else if the Yankees are unable to sign Brackman. Peavey is probably the team's toughest player to sign given where he was taken, and is likely to be pitching for Oregon State next spring.
7) Since this is the 7th question, we'll ask about the 7th pick, that of your favorite team. What the HECK were the Brewers thinking drafting Laporta there? I can tell you the NoMaas staff loves the team the Brewers have assembled, and we actively felt bad for you guys when we saw that pick go up.
I can't help but smile when reading this question. Every single Brewers fan was shocked when LaPorta's name was called, but at the same time I think they were somewhat relieved in that a prep pitcher wasn't selected after numerous reports that the Brewers were targeting players such as Phillippe Aumont, Jarrod Parker and Madison Bumgarner. There were a few positional players in the mix, but if you haven't noticed, the Brewers haven't had the greatest of luck with the high school pitchers they have selected in the first round in recent years.
Power is (or was) the Brewers biggest organizational weakness after Ryan Braun was promoted to the big leagues, and after our conversation last week, I reminded myself that I had LaPorta ranked as the fourth best prospect entering the 2006 draft season. While he was incredibly disappointing as a junior, his senior season was nothing short of sensational, and he managed to completely change his approach at the plate, laying off soft stuff outside while drastically reducing the strikeouts.
Also, we had word that the Brewers brass had LaPorta workout for them at the home park of their high-A affiliate in the Florida State League, a park and league that surpresses offensive numbers, and LaPorta put on a show.
Don't feel bad for us, the Brewers under the guidance of Jack Zduriencik have groomed some incredible hitting talents, and also keep in mind that no one would have drafted Prince Fielder as high as seventh overall in 2002, and Ryan Braun was considered somewhat of a reach in 2005.
8) Greg Holle out of Christian Brothers Academy in NY is a monster at > 6'8", 210 LBS. If you would, tell us what you know about him, and is > his TCU commitment ironclad?
Holle is an interesting prospect, that draws quite a few comparisons to Richie Sexson, but is actually more similar to a player that has also received a lot of Richie Sexson comparisons, Corey Hart. Like Hart, Holle is very athletic, with very good speed for his size, and almost equal upside as both a hitter and as a pitcher. I would have to think that he is without a doubt TCU bound given where he was drafted, unless the regional selection has anything to do with giving a hometown discount of sorts. He is probably best off heading to college where he may star as a hitter and as a pitcher.
9) NoMassians everywhere rejoiced at the Yankees picking so many > signability cases. If you would, please rank these guys on how badly you would want them in the minors of your organization, with no regard to pricetag. Also, are there clear groups in the list in terms of dropoffs in talent?:
Suttle Sublett Weems Sublett Grote Krum Carpenter Peavey Angelini Barreda Holle
Tough question. I'll do my best...
Suttle Peavey Weems Carpenter Sublett Angelini Grote Holle Krum Barreda
I love pure hitters, and Suttle was one of the best in the draft. I also love pitchers that control the strike zone with stuff that doesn't go straight, given my interest in Peavey. Weems is a pretty exciting catching talent, and Carpenter has good stuff. Sublett is such a scrappy player, and the rest of the players as listed all of their strengths and weaknesses.
10) How do you think the Yankees did overall?
It depends on how many player the Yankees end up signing. If they sign 7 or 8 out of 10 of the players listed above, they had an amazingly successful draft, as they clearly took some players that had some serious signability issues, which seemingly has been mentioned with every one of my answers here. The talent is there, and as I noted above, it's clear the Yankees are very serious about building the talent base back up from within.
The only thing I would nitpick about is the lack of power. For a system that is very top heavy with arms, the Yankees from an outside perspective seem to lack the big, legit power bats, and while a few of their picks have some power and could easily develop power, there still is not that one guy that would seem to strike fear in the opposing pitchers, whether it be at rookie ball or AA.
But then again, the joke around the rest of the country is that the Yankees buys these types of players anyway.
I want to give props to the Yankees for two other players they selected that haven't been previously mentioned: Ryan Zink and Ryan Wehrle.
Zink is an incredible young man that has really worked hard to recover from Tommy John surgery from a year ago. He has done everything right in his career, and has said all of the right things. He could have been a third rounder a year ago if it weren't for the injury set-back, and some teams were reportedly looking to draft him despite not pitching at all. He has gone from a skinny, somewhat awkward gentle giant into a well-built stud given his determination and dedication to the game.
If Wehrle gets his head on straight, he could be a sleeper. I'm not sure if he'll end up signing, but really he should, because players like this that have a history of problems over the years tend to only hurt themselves the more they hold out.
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