02/11: Coming Up With Jose Tabata
Posted by: James
Mike A. over at In George We Trust, takes a good look at soon-to-be uber-prospect Jose Tabata. I say that because a) I think that this kid has a great chance to be something pretty exciting and b) what can I say, I like the prefix "uber".
Obviously, it will be a couple of years before we can really see how Tabata plays out but hey, that's what prospects are for, right? You're prospecting for the next great player to put on your team's uniform and who knows, we could be looking at him right now.
Just look how it [Tabata's stats] compares to the stats put up by these household names when they were down in the Rookie ball ranks:
Here's how his performance stacks up against three of the today's premier outfield prospects when they were at the Rookie level:
Those numbers do a good job of speaking for themselves, but what may be most impressive is that he walked more than he struck out, always a good sign regardless of the raw pitching in the GCL.
| Age | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | K/BB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Beltran | 18 | .278 | .331 | .328 | .659 | 2.16 |
| Andruw Jones | 17 | .290 | .358 | .412 | .770 | 1.76 |
| Bernie Williams | 18 | .270 | .379 | .343 | .722 | 1.10 |
| Tabata | 17 | .314 | .382 | .417 | .799 | .933 |
Here's how his performance stacks up against three of the today's premier outfield prospects when they were at the Rookie level:
| Age | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | K/BB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lastings Milledge | 18 | .231 | .323 | .308 | .631 | 1.33 |
| Javier Herrera | 18 | .230 | .329 | .410 | .739 | 2.71 |
| Jeremy Hermida | 18 | .224 | .316 | .321 | .637 | 1.67 |
| Tabata | 17 | .314 | .382 | .417 | .799 | .933 |
Those numbers do a good job of speaking for themselves, but what may be most impressive is that he walked more than he struck out, always a good sign regardless of the raw pitching in the GCL.
Obviously, it will be a couple of years before we can really see how Tabata plays out but hey, that's what prospects are for, right? You're prospecting for the next great player to put on your team's uniform and who knows, we could be looking at him right now.
Posted by: Patrick
Responding to the replace the Yankees campaign (to which 30 leagues have responded), the Staten Island Yankees have said that they will retaliate.
There is a poll at the Spinners website asking whether you'd want your child to wear a Yankees or Spinners jersey. Currently the Spinners are in the lead with 83 votes (58%) to the Yankees 61 votes (42%).
Via Steve.
"We are planning to retaliate to some extent, in a fun way, as we know how to do well," says [Gary Perone, assistant general manager], reached at his Staten Island office yesterday. He said the team will formally announce its plans early next week.
Fans aside, the teams square off six times, beginning Aug. 4-6 in Staten Island. Look for some interesting moments when the Spinners visit.
"Anybody who shows up in a Red Sox hat or T-shirt and throws it in the bin will get free tickets to the game," said Perone. He has also put out feelers for throwing out the first pitch to former Red Sox pitchers who went on to victory with the Yankees, including Mike Torrez, who served up the infamous home run to Bucky Dent in the 1978 playoff game.
And Perone is plotting pregame "salutes to Johnny Damon and Babe Ruth."
Fans aside, the teams square off six times, beginning Aug. 4-6 in Staten Island. Look for some interesting moments when the Spinners visit.
"Anybody who shows up in a Red Sox hat or T-shirt and throws it in the bin will get free tickets to the game," said Perone. He has also put out feelers for throwing out the first pitch to former Red Sox pitchers who went on to victory with the Yankees, including Mike Torrez, who served up the infamous home run to Bucky Dent in the 1978 playoff game.
And Perone is plotting pregame "salutes to Johnny Damon and Babe Ruth."
There is a poll at the Spinners website asking whether you'd want your child to wear a Yankees or Spinners jersey. Currently the Spinners are in the lead with 83 votes (58%) to the Yankees 61 votes (42%).
Via Steve.
Posted by: Patrick
Spinners want 'Yankees' teams out of youth leagues:
If the league agrees, the Spinners pay for the uniforms and the team gets to play at the Spinners field before a Spinners game.
Now, really, I think it's crazy. I know it's for fun, etc. Nonetheless, I was in little league in New England for every year that I played except for the final one. For me, this is the ages of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. Fall ball (1 year) and all star teams notwithstanding, I was the Indians (3 years), P.A.L. (Police Athletic League), Expos and I forget (may have been Expos for 2 years). I was never the Red Sox or the Yankees. I would have certainly liked to play for the Yankees in the league, but it was no big deal. I'd tend to believe that is how most kids are. Even if I was on the Red Sox, I certainly wouldn't have been "devastated." I believe it would have been a good joke in my family ("Patrick plays for the Red Sox, ha ha"). I didn't pray not to be on the Red Sox.
I like this quote:
Let's think about this one. First question: what kind of person boos at little league games? Ok, now... what kind of person boos 8 year old little leaguers? Ok, now... er... what kind of person boos them in a parade (not a game) in their hometown? I'd guess this type of person would be a very tiny minority, myself.
Via Steve.
The Red Sox Single-A affiliate announced today that it is on a mission to get rid of the name "Yankees" from youth league teams around New England. Not coincidentally, the team is trying to change those monikers to the "Lowell Spinners." ...
The Spinners estimated that close to half of the youth baseball leagues in New England include a team named the "Yankees," and the team said it has already begun contacting organizations in an attempt to convince them to adopt the name change. ...
So far, the Spinners claim, three organizations have agreed to the switch: the Chelmsford Little League, Methuen Instructional League, and Tewksbury Youth Baseball.
The Spinners estimated that close to half of the youth baseball leagues in New England include a team named the "Yankees," and the team said it has already begun contacting organizations in an attempt to convince them to adopt the name change. ...
So far, the Spinners claim, three organizations have agreed to the switch: the Chelmsford Little League, Methuen Instructional League, and Tewksbury Youth Baseball.
If the league agrees, the Spinners pay for the uniforms and the team gets to play at the Spinners field before a Spinners game.
Now, really, I think it's crazy. I know it's for fun, etc. Nonetheless, I was in little league in New England for every year that I played except for the final one. For me, this is the ages of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. Fall ball (1 year) and all star teams notwithstanding, I was the Indians (3 years), P.A.L. (Police Athletic League), Expos and I forget (may have been Expos for 2 years). I was never the Red Sox or the Yankees. I would have certainly liked to play for the Yankees in the league, but it was no big deal. I'd tend to believe that is how most kids are. Even if I was on the Red Sox, I certainly wouldn't have been "devastated." I believe it would have been a good joke in my family ("Patrick plays for the Red Sox, ha ha"). I didn't pray not to be on the Red Sox.
I like this quote:
In fact one coach told me he is tired of seen and eight year-old kids in Yankee jersey getting booed at hometown parades.
Let's think about this one. First question: what kind of person boos at little league games? Ok, now... what kind of person boos 8 year old little leaguers? Ok, now... er... what kind of person boos them in a parade (not a game) in their hometown? I'd guess this type of person would be a very tiny minority, myself.
Via Steve.
Posted by: Patrick
Brian MacMillan did some research to find the former Yankees currently coaching in the MLB. All told, 21 MLB teams have former Yankees on their coaching staffs.
02/09: Rehabbing In The Bullpen
Posted by: James
The Daily News checks in with some good news on the progress of Octavio Dotel's rehab and an update on how Ramiro Mendoza is doing.
Dotel is very upbeat:
Ramiro is feeling confident in his abilities:
I still trust Ramiro coming out of the bullpen more than I would if it were someone like Tanyon Sturtze or Scott Proctor. In fact, if Ramiro can prove himself in spring training while those other guys flounder, I'm all for giving him Tanyon's roster spot from the beginning of the season. Still, since he signed a minor-league deal, I'm sure he'll be the one working down in Colombus.
Dotel is very upbeat:
With the start of camp only a week away, Dotel said his elbow is feeling better than he would have hoped just eight months removed from ligament replacement surgery.
"It's more than I expected, way more," Dotel said. "I didn't expect this so soon. When I had the surgery, there were a lot of comments about how long it would take, if I could come back. You don't want to hear it, but you start thinking about it. "I'm really surprised at what I have already."
He hopes he can be ready by April, but he says he won't rush, either. "The Yankees are the people who decide," he said. "As far as I feel, I could be there in April, but I'll let them decide when I'll be in New York with the team."
"It's more than I expected, way more," Dotel said. "I didn't expect this so soon. When I had the surgery, there were a lot of comments about how long it would take, if I could come back. You don't want to hear it, but you start thinking about it. "I'm really surprised at what I have already."
He hopes he can be ready by April, but he says he won't rush, either. "The Yankees are the people who decide," he said. "As far as I feel, I could be there in April, but I'll let them decide when I'll be in New York with the team."
Ramiro is feeling confident in his abilities:
Mendoza, who will pitch for Panama in the World Baseball Classic in March, threw 30 pitches off a bullpen mound yesterday at the Yanks' minor-league complex and then said he is feeling better than he has since he had shoulder surgery in January of 2005.
"Venezuela helped me a lot," said Mendoza, an important cog in the Yankee title teams from 1996-2000. "I'm fine now. All of my pitches are sinking and I've got my change, my curveball, everything. I just have to show I can pitch."
"Venezuela helped me a lot," said Mendoza, an important cog in the Yankee title teams from 1996-2000. "I'm fine now. All of my pitches are sinking and I've got my change, my curveball, everything. I just have to show I can pitch."
I still trust Ramiro coming out of the bullpen more than I would if it were someone like Tanyon Sturtze or Scott Proctor. In fact, if Ramiro can prove himself in spring training while those other guys flounder, I'm all for giving him Tanyon's roster spot from the beginning of the season. Still, since he signed a minor-league deal, I'm sure he'll be the one working down in Colombus.
Posted by: James
Well, no one can say that Damon didn't thank the fan base that made him the star (commmerically) that he is today. Damon took out a full-page advertisement in the Boston Globe sports section yesterday to say thanks to the Red Sox fans.
Naturally, the online portion of the Boston Globe (yes, the same paper he took the ad out in) doesn't buy it.
Thats the thing with these public displays - everyone takes it differently. Some will see gratitude for the good times while others see a play for more publicity. Where do you think this stands?
"Many thanks to the great fans of New England and the city of Boston," it read. "It was a privilege and an honor."
The display included a photo of Damon in a Boston uniform and his signature.
The display included a photo of Damon in a Boston uniform and his signature.
Naturally, the online portion of the Boston Globe (yes, the same paper he took the ad out in) doesn't buy it.
Again, how can we miss him if he won't go away?
Damon is not the first athlete to publish such an ad, of course. Most notably, Drew Bledsoe and Mo Vaughn made similar gestures on their way out of town. But those were submitted the same week as their departure, not 10 days before spring training with their new teams.
Let's not forget this "honor and privilege" comes a week after he told the press in New York how unhappy Manny Ramirez is playing in Boston. He wants the slugger join him with the Yankees. David Ortiz, too. It also comes a week after he said was starting to feel "like a Yankee" and was looking forward to discussing "the Yankee way" with team owner George Steinbrenner. It comes a week after he told radio host David Lee Roth how he and his kids shared a cry after he told them the Red Sox didn't want him.
Johnny Damon has spent all his time lately convincing himself and the world what a great decision it was to move on to the Yankees. If this is his desperate attempt at making sure he doesn't completely destroy his legacy in Boston -- a motion that would have been an act of class on Dec. 21 -- is today far too little, and much too late.
Damon is not the first athlete to publish such an ad, of course. Most notably, Drew Bledsoe and Mo Vaughn made similar gestures on their way out of town. But those were submitted the same week as their departure, not 10 days before spring training with their new teams.
Let's not forget this "honor and privilege" comes a week after he told the press in New York how unhappy Manny Ramirez is playing in Boston. He wants the slugger join him with the Yankees. David Ortiz, too. It also comes a week after he said was starting to feel "like a Yankee" and was looking forward to discussing "the Yankee way" with team owner George Steinbrenner. It comes a week after he told radio host David Lee Roth how he and his kids shared a cry after he told them the Red Sox didn't want him.
Johnny Damon has spent all his time lately convincing himself and the world what a great decision it was to move on to the Yankees. If this is his desperate attempt at making sure he doesn't completely destroy his legacy in Boston -- a motion that would have been an act of class on Dec. 21 -- is today far too little, and much too late.
Thats the thing with these public displays - everyone takes it differently. Some will see gratitude for the good times while others see a play for more publicity. Where do you think this stands?
02/08: SG Interviews MGL At RLYW
Posted by: James
Also known as "When Abbreviations Attack!"
Update: This is a joint interview with noMaas.org.
Just a reminder in case you haven't read the article yet but SG has a fantastic (and long) interview with Mitchel Lichtman (MGL) who is one of the top names in the field of sabermetrics. He is best known as the inventor of UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating), which is "the most advanced form of defensive statistical analysis currently available" and he consults for the St. Louis Cardinals as well. Here's what he thinks of the Yankees' chances this year:
MGL, Tom Tango and Andy Dolphin are pitching new book about baseball strategy called, simply enough, The Book. If you check out the site, there are excerpts from each chapter of The Book, which from the sounds of the interview looks to be a killer read (if you're into the scene).
Update: This is a joint interview with noMaas.org.
Just a reminder in case you haven't read the article yet but SG has a fantastic (and long) interview with Mitchel Lichtman (MGL) who is one of the top names in the field of sabermetrics. He is best known as the inventor of UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating), which is "the most advanced form of defensive statistical analysis currently available" and he consults for the St. Louis Cardinals as well. Here's what he thinks of the Yankees' chances this year:
The Yankees have a powerhouse of a lineup again this year. The only weakness is at DH, and even that is not too bad. With a little luck, they could score 1000 runs in 2006. I think that 900 is a slam dunk. Their starting pitching, one through four, is pretty good, if RJ stays healthy and keep his velocity consistently in the mid 90’s. Mussina, while well on the downslope of his great career, should still be able to post good numbers, and while Wang and Chacon are not as good as they pitched for the Yankees last year (especially Chacon), they are still pretty decent pitchers. And of course, Mo remains one of the best closers in baseball. Pavano and Wright are the stepchildren in the back of the rotation this year. I much prefer Pavano. I think Wright is a terrible pitcher who had a good, flukey year for Atlanta in 04, perhaps helped by the tutelage of Mazzone. I expect the Yankees to once again lead the division, this time with 96 or 97 wins.
MGL, Tom Tango and Andy Dolphin are pitching new book about baseball strategy called, simply enough, The Book. If you check out the site, there are excerpts from each chapter of The Book, which from the sounds of the interview looks to be a killer read (if you're into the scene).
02/08: All Giambi, All The Time
Posted by: James
There seems to have been a serious uptick in interest in the Yankee slugger. Some of the more recent pieces on Jason was this puff piece on Giambi by Bob Klapisch of ESPN.com that comes off as remarkably upbeat.
It definitely looks like he's been working out as he looks a lot "meatier" in the pictures that accompany most of these articles. Hopefully, that will translate to an even better year at the plate since his work on the field leaves much to be desired. However, even Jason knows his splits:
The Yankees are convinced Giambi's darkest hours have passed. "As far as we're concerned, Jason hit our best-case scenario," Cashman said this week. "Now we're back to business as usual; to me, Jason is back to being one of the premier players in the game right now."
Giambi never wavered in his belief that getting healthy -- ridding his body of the parasites and the tumor -- would rebuild his career, if not his reputation. He spent less time at his locker and more time with hitting instructor Don Mattingly, as well as Azra Shafi-Scagliarini, his friend, consultant and spiritual adviser.
It didn't hurt Giambi, either, that the steroids scandal eventually shifted its focus to Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro, both of whom performed disgracefully before a Congressional hearing. That investigation gave Giambi breathing room to reclaim his best skill -- hitting line drives.
"Jason sounds great, he tells me he's been working out and feeling strong," Cashman said. "That's exactly what we want to hear."
Giambi never wavered in his belief that getting healthy -- ridding his body of the parasites and the tumor -- would rebuild his career, if not his reputation. He spent less time at his locker and more time with hitting instructor Don Mattingly, as well as Azra Shafi-Scagliarini, his friend, consultant and spiritual adviser.
It didn't hurt Giambi, either, that the steroids scandal eventually shifted its focus to Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro, both of whom performed disgracefully before a Congressional hearing. That investigation gave Giambi breathing room to reclaim his best skill -- hitting line drives.
"Jason sounds great, he tells me he's been working out and feeling strong," Cashman said. "That's exactly what we want to hear."
It definitely looks like he's been working out as he looks a lot "meatier" in the pictures that accompany most of these articles. Hopefully, that will translate to an even better year at the plate since his work on the field leaves much to be desired. However, even Jason knows his splits:
“My numbers are so staggered. When I play first, they're huge. When I DH, I stink,” he said. “I definitely can win more games with my bat than I can lose with my glove.”
02/08: Dollar Bill$
Posted by: James
It looks like Johnny Damon has definitely arrived in NY and is here to stay as he just bought an apartment.
Well, now that Damon has found a place to live, maybe he can join his buddy Jason Giambi and leverage some of his contract money in a charitable way.
On Feb. 3, Mr. Damon’s offer was accepted on a $5.9 million apartment [in celebrity-packed One Beacon Court.], according to a source with knowledge of the deal. Located on the 39th floor of the Cesar Pelli–designed Bloomberg tower (with interior finishes designed by Jacques Grange), Mr. Damon’s apartment includes three bedrooms and two and a half baths, as well as a dining room, windowed kitchen, and full city and park views.
Phillies right-fielder Bobby Abreu owns a pied-à-terre at One Beacon Court. But the roster of non-athletic celebrity tenants is more glamorous: Beyoncé Knowles, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, former G.E. chief executive Jack Welch, current G.E. chief executive Jeffrey Immelt, and record mogul Alan Meltzer, who purchased a penthouse for $27 million.
Now that Mr. Damon is finally settling down in the city, he might be more motivated to sell his Brookline residence, which is located near Fenway Park. In 2004, Mr. Damon dropped $4.75 million on the modern, 6,800-square-foot home.
Phillies right-fielder Bobby Abreu owns a pied-à-terre at One Beacon Court. But the roster of non-athletic celebrity tenants is more glamorous: Beyoncé Knowles, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, former G.E. chief executive Jack Welch, current G.E. chief executive Jeffrey Immelt, and record mogul Alan Meltzer, who purchased a penthouse for $27 million.
Now that Mr. Damon is finally settling down in the city, he might be more motivated to sell his Brookline residence, which is located near Fenway Park. In 2004, Mr. Damon dropped $4.75 million on the modern, 6,800-square-foot home.
Well, now that Damon has found a place to live, maybe he can join his buddy Jason Giambi and leverage some of his contract money in a charitable way.
02/07: SI: Verducci on Wang
Posted by: James
Sounds like something out of Fashion week. Tom Verducci checks in with his prediction for the pitchers that will break out this season and we don't mean in pimples. Of course, with all of his top 10 under the age of 27 and with Felix Hernandez (all of 19!) on the list, the pimples could be defintely be a possibility.
Here's what he had to say about Mr. Wanger (don't blame me for that one! Blame the Yankees clubhouse for that nickname!), who came in number 2 on the list:
Isn't the health issue a concern for every pitcher? Still, with Wang's history, he definitely does warrant special consideration. Here's to a healthy 2006 for the Wanger.
Credit to Steve Lombardi for the link.
Here's what he had to say about Mr. Wanger (don't blame me for that one! Blame the Yankees clubhouse for that nickname!), who came in number 2 on the list:
The cool right-hander is a strike- and groundball-throwing machine, getting through his average inning as an AL rookie with only 13.7 pitches. Pitching for a team loaded with offense, Wang is a near lock to win 15 games -- but only if he stays healthy, which is still a concern among the New York executives.
Isn't the health issue a concern for every pitcher? Still, with Wang's history, he definitely does warrant special consideration. Here's to a healthy 2006 for the Wanger.
Credit to Steve Lombardi for the link.
