Yankees MtoM Catcher Prospect List

February 2, 2009 by Mike Axisa 34 Comments

Steve at Yankees: Minor to Majors posted his list of the organization’s best catching prospects yesterday, and I don’t think I need to tell you who’s number one. I agree with the list entirely, although at first I was thinking PJ Pilitrere over Chase Weems. After thinking about it for a bit, it’s clear that Weems’ upside trumps Pilittere’s probability. Is Jose Gil really only 22? Holy geez, it seems like he’s been around since the days of Nick Johnson. Make sure you head over and check it, Steve’s doing some great things over there.

pat

I’m so scared montero is gonna get cervelli’d this spring training and really mess up his season. Im hoping the yankees only invited slam duncan to spring training to be a body guard.
- Bo
  
  Being scared of injuries is really no way to go thru life.
  - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    Fat, drunk, and stupid is really no way to go through life.
    - UWS
      
      Does this mean I should just kill myself now?
      - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        You’re fat, drunk, and stupid? That’s bad. I always pictured you as hot, drunk, and stupid, which is awesomely good.
Yanks09

I’m really looking forward to seeing Romine and Montero in the Majors. I want the Yankees to make Romine their starting catcher once Posada retires. Hopefully they can find a spot for Montero too, though. If he can improve behind the plate though, I’d like to see these too battle it out for the starting role.
- ryan
  
  loser gets back up role maybe? might make for a great catchin’ duo.
  - jsbrendog
    
    na na na na na na na na na catching duo!!!!!
    
    catching duooooooooooo
    
    catching duo……
A.D.

Hadn’t heard that Romine’s defense was so suspect before…but that’s what player development is for
- Bruno
  
  I’ve seen the same take on his defense a few times, unfortunately. Good thing he’s still young. I’d like to see him and Jesus split up though so that they could hone their D-skills better. Oh well, worse problems to have.
  - Bill
    
    Yea I’ve heard the same things about his defense. I think the common misconception about Romine’s defense is that people mistake the fact that he currently has good defensive tools (strong arm, athletic) with him being a good defender. His tools project him to be a good defensive catcher down the road, but at this point he is still raw behind the plate. However that is to be expected when you coonsider that before last year he was just in high school. In about 3 years when he is ready (assuming 1 year per level) he’ll be MUCH improved back there.
    - Bo
      
      These two were in A ball last yr.
      
      A ball.
      
      I think they got some time to work on the finer points of catching.
      
      Keep in mind most of these people writing these scouting reports have never even laid eyes on either guy.
Bruno

Woohoo! Catcher talk! Does anyone else think Cervelli = Girardi? I’d be happy with that until Jesus shows up.
- Bill
  
  I’d definitely be happy if Cervelli could be a Girardi type. However at this point Cervelli projects more as a backup C. I think his patience gives him a shot at being a starter, but I wonder if he’ll be able to hit for average at this level. With non-existent power he’ll never be more than a #9 type hitter, but if he could hit around .250-.270 with a good OBP he could be a viable stopgap starting option. Although that’s a best case scenario. I still look at him as likely a backup. I think we may have to go outside the organization to find someone to fill the C spot for a year or two (after Posada can’t handle it) until our lower level guys are ready.
  
  I think Cervelli will get a shot though. The fact that he is already on the 40-man roster could make him the first C called up as our 40-man roster is quite crowded at this time so there may not be someone we can release to make room for Cash. Also I think Cervelli will be slated to be the backup C in 2010.
pat

Hey mike can u give a little hint as to who its gonna be on wednesday? I’m hoping for melancon. if it is wink twice if not just tell us who.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.
  
  No way, the surprise is all the fun!
  - Bruno
    
    No way, the surprise is ~~all~~ half the fun!
    
    Fixed. The profile itself is pretty good too, ya know.
  - pat
    
    Very true mike. The files are inside the computer.
    - steve (different one)
      
      IETC
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  
  if it is wink twice if not just tell us who.
  
  Bark twice if you’re in Milwaukee.
Bruno

Mike, Cervelli = Girardi sound about right? Or a lil optimistic?
http://amonthoffundays.blogspot.com Phil in LA

Cervelli walks more in a week than Girardi would in a season.

Also, per MtoM, I would have had Anson ahead of PJ, but it’s a good list.
- http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  
  Great article by MtoM.
  
  Horrible font/background color scheme by MtoM, though. Ugh.
  - pat
    
    Kind of like the old ghetto days of mlbtr.
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      MY EYES!!! THE GOGGLES DO NOTHING!!!
  - Ryan S.
    
    I was thinking that before. Its truly horrific and I don’t generally read that blog simply because it irritates my eyes, even though I know the author of the blog to be an intelligent, well-informed fan with good opinions (since he is one of the regular posters as RAB).
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      The ’80s called. They want their color scheme back.
      - Ryan S.
        
        Well, at the least 80s would’ve had some pastel colors in there. Some hot pink, a little neon green maybe. The fonts would be bigger too, and I’d hope it would have either Cory Haim or Cory Feldman in a Yankee uniform somewhere … preferably both.
        
        http://yankeesmtom.com Steven
        
        Better? Just changed it.
http://nyyankeesrumors.com Bob Ruffolo

I’m very excited to see Montero this spring. I think he’s going to open some eyes, if he hasn’t already.
kSturnz

maybe the plan is for Montero/Romine to start at Tampa and split it, until Cervelli is ready (~two months in) to move up to SW-B (or straight to the bronx if they don’t have room for cash on the 40) to make room for one of Montero/Romine to take on full time duty in Trenton (whichev has shown more defensively) while the other takes full time in Tampa.

RUN-ON!
http://twitter.com/OldRanger Old Ranger

If needed, Cervelli is the only one on the 40 man so he would get the call. In retrospect, Cervelli is much better then anyone else we have at this time…Romine and Montero have more up-side then he does but, they are a few years away yet. The other guys are below to average minor league catchers.
- Ryan S.
  
  Kevin Cash is not on the 40 man, but I would still guess that he gets called up before Cervelli should Jorge get injured or something like that.
  - http://twitter.com/OldRanger Old Ranger
    
    Why, he is not as good as Cervelli?