How Are the Kids?

Hey readers, my name is Dan Reiner; I did a couple posts late in the season covering the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. I’m a die hard Yanks, Giants, Knicks, Rangers, Sentinels and PSU Nittany Lions fan. Though I am only in high school, I have complete knowledge of the MLB, and hope to someday study journalism in college, and follow my dream to be a sports writer. I’ll continue to write about the minor league teams and players on here, so read up to see how the kids are doing, as well as all of the posts!

Well first off, I’d like to say that DH/OF Shelley Duncan and 2B Kevin Russo were named to the 2009 TOPPS Triple-A All-Star team for their great seasons. Duncan led the International League with 30 HR and 99 RBI, and Russo was third in the IL with a .326 batting average.

And now with the IL season finished and players needing to improve to try to take the next step in the organization, the Fall Leagues come around. I’ve been following the key players in the Yankee organization that are taking part. So..how are the kids doing?

–RHP Ian Kennedy (AFL) has 6 games and starts with a record of 1-1 and a 4.74 ERA; In 24.2 IP hes allowed 25 hits 23 K and the key.. just 5 walks.
–RHP Josh Schmidt (VWL) hasn’t looked good. 7 games, 5 starts 1-3 4.63 ERA. In 23.1 IP, 22 H and 20 K
–LHP Mike Dunn (AFL) has looked shaky. In 8 games, a record of 0-2 4.32 ERA with 1 save. In 8.1 IP, 8 hits but a remarkable 15 K.
–RHP Romulo Sanchez (VWL) has looked solid. 11 G 2-2 3.83 ERA 14.1 IP, 10 H, and a very good 20 K with only 4 walks.
–LHP Zach Kroenke (AFL) has pitched 10 games. A record of 1-0 with a 5.02 ERA. 14.1 IP 13 hits 12 K and 4 BB
–RHP Ivan Nova (DWL), who we saw get a few postseason starts in AAA, has 5 games, 4 starts with a 1-0 record. A 1.05 ERA in 25.2 IP, with just 17 hits 4 walks and 17 Ks is exactly what scouts are looking for.
-1B Juan Miranda (DWL), just joined the league, and in 13 at-bats already has a 5 hits, 1 HR and 4 RBI
-C Jesus Montero (VWL) has been extremely disappointing to say the least. In 9 games, just 3 hits, a .115 BA, and 1 RBI.
-3B Brandon Laird (AFL) is tearing up opponents right now. In 20 games, he has a .313 BA, and is tied for 2nd in the league with 6 HR and 24 RBI
-2B Reegie Corona (VWL) has played 17 games, with a .314, 0 HR and 5 RBI
-OF Colin Curtis (AFL) has played 17 game, with a great .388 BA, 3 HR, 14 RBI, and 2 SB

AFL= Arizona Fall League, VWL=Venezuela Winter League, DWL=Dominican Winter League

Look for some of these guys in trade talks or even on the big club come next season.

My Attempt at Editing a Picture

I realize that this is pretty bad but this is the best I can do. If you have a better version of it send me along a copy of it here.

In the photo are Ramiro Pena, Shelley Duncan, Kevin Russo, and Juan Miranda.

Please click to enlarge it….yes, I do realize how horrible this is.

Juan Miranda Promoted, Kennedy Soon?

Juan Miranda was called-up last night, as the AAA Yankees were eliminated from the postseason.

Ian Kennedy may be called-up soon, as there is no minor-league post-seasons left in the Yankees system. This leaves the MLB as the only chance for him to get work in.

Problem: Yankees Wasting Pitchers

The New York Yankees have a great farm system. They develop great players. One thing they cannot say, however is that they hold on to those great pitchers. Most of the AAA Yankees’ roster is now on the MLB Pirates (seriously.) Lets name a few:

RP Steven Jackson (MLB Pirates)
RP Eric Hacker (MLB Pirates)
RP Scott Patterson (MLB Padres at the time, now with the MLB A’s)

The Yankees also made the horrible trade of Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, and Daniel McCutchen for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.

At the time it looked great for both sides, maybe better for the Yankees.

Now Tabata is a top-prospect outfielder (which the Yankees can use besides Austin Jackson,) Ross Ohlendorf is an innings-eating starter in the MLB (Yankees can use that) Jeff Karstens is injured, but a solid 5th starter, and Daniel McCutchen is getting a trial in the MLB.

Meanwhile Nady is hurt and Marte has a horrible contract and a horrible ERA.

I would not be ranting if the Yankees had reasons for these moves. Do the Yankees REALLY need Freddy Guzman? They’re just going to DFA him in the offseason when Kevin Russo, Austin Jackson, Zach Kroenke, etc need 40-man spots. Why not DFA Juan Miranda? They should try to trade him in the offseason. They have first base locked up for the next 7+years.

For all we know Claggett can be a valuable MLB pitcher in the future. The Yankees did not give him, or Jackson, or Hacker, or Patterson a decent shot. That is my problem.

Suggestion to the Yankees: September Call-Ups

Every year in September the MLB rosters expand to 40 players, rather than 25. Here’s who I believe the Yankees should call-up for the pennant race.

*Most teams call up 3 or 4 players before the AAA and AA playoffs end, then call up more*

1. Zach Kroenke, LHP, AAA Scranton. Kroenke has been lights out in AAA this year, with a sub-2.00 ERA. Kroenke would help the bullpen by giving them another lefty reliever and by giving them length.

2. Ramiro Pena, INF, AAA Scranton. Pena has seen a lot of time in the MLB this year and could help with the infield depth. We don’t want Jose Molina being the backup third baseman, do we?

3. Mark Melancon, RHP, AAA Scranton. Melancon has had limited time in the MLB this year, but has had pretty good results in his time there. Melancon can help out with depth.

4. Shelley Duncan, OF, AAA Scranton. Duncan had one day in the majors this year before being sent down in favor of Jerry Hairston Jr. Duncan has been stellar in AAA.

AFTER THE AAA PLAYOFFS:

5. Josh Towers, RHP, AAA Scranton. Not on the 40-man but could be a spot-starter or a long reliever if needed.

6. Jon Albaladejo, RHP, AAA Scranton. Closing in AAA, has seen time in the MLB.

7. Juan Miranda, 1b, AAA Scranton. One and done this year in the MLB.

8. Kevin Russo, INF, AAA Scranton. One of the most consistent players in AAA this year, needs a spot on 40-man.

9. Austin Jackson?!?!?! OF, AAA Scranton. This is one I am uncertain about. He could use the experience, but they don’t want to rush him.

10. Francisco Cervelli, C, AAA Scranton. Was great in his time in the MLB. Currently on the 7-day DL in AAA.

This would give the Yankees 35 players, 36 with Brett Gardner returning. That is more than enough.

PROBLEM: 4 of these players (Kroenke, Towers, Russo, Jackson) do not have spots on the 40-man roster.

WHO WOULD LEAVE THE 40-MAN:

1. DFA Kevin Cash. With Cervelli, Molina, and Posada all healthy, and Cash on the DL in AAA, he is completely not needed.

2. DFA Sergio Mitre.

That still leaves 2 extra spots needed, so two of those (I suspect Towers and Russo) wouldn’t be called up.

OTHER OPTIONS: Anthony Claggett, Mike Dunn, Kevin Whelan, Edwar Ramirez.

*This is pure speculation*

Plea to Yankees: Call up Zach Kroenke and Shelley Duncan

Here are a few things I would like the Yankees to do

– Purchase the contract of Zach Kroenke and demote Mark Melancon. Melancon needs to pitch and it is obvious Joe Girardi is not willing to use him in pressure situations. Kroenke spot-started today and gave up 1 run on 2 hits in 5 Innings of work. He can be a long-man/lefty specialist, allowing Alfredo Aceves to work his way into the rotation, if neccessary.

-DFA Cody Ransom and re-promote Shelley Duncan. It is absoluetly pointless to have Ransom in the MLB right now and it is absoluetly pointless to have Duncan sitting in AAA. If the Yankees want a righty bat off the bench…here he is.

-Place a waiver claim on every-yes i do mean every-starting pitcher on the block. Brian Bannister, Jon Garland, Doug Davis, even Bruce Chen for all I care (just kidding about Chen…he is a perfect fit for the Royals). Anyone but Sergio Mitre.

-Trade Juan Miranda in a trade for one of these pitchers. He could be an MLB player right now for about any team. He is worthless to the Yankees, however, unless Mark Teixeira gets hurt. Even then, the Yankees have Shelley Duncan. It is also for the better of Miranda’s career, even though he is on the Yankees 40-man roster, he is very unlikely to get playing time with the Yankees. With Jorge Vazquez waiting in AA for the AAA promotion….it’s a perfect time to use him for trade bait.

-For now, DFA Sergio Mitre and purchase Josh Towers‘ contract. Towers has reached his peak in AAA (like Mitre did) and is now ready to give it a shot in the MLB. If they don’t want to do this, why not give Kei Igawa a shot? Yes, I am being serious. If you are going to spend all this money to have him…why not make him useful? He has reached his prime in AAA, also, and he could possibly help out the club in some way.

For all the Yankees fans reading this- I ask you to remember one thing. Austin Jackson was the price for Jarrod Washburn. Austin Jackson is also a top, top prospect. If it will take Austin Jackson to get any of the pitchers I mentioned above…don’t do it.