Miranda powers SWB to doubleheader sweep

May 7, 2009 by Mike Axisa 127 Comments

Shelley Duncan didn’t play in today’s doubleheader, leading to some speculation that he was on his way to the Bronx, but it turns out he just has a bum shoulder. Oh, and Kevin Thompson is headed for the indy leagues.

Triple-A Scranton
Game 1 (7-2 win over Indianapolis in 7 innings) makeup of yesterday’s rain out
Doug Bernier, John Rodriguez & Luis Nunez: both 1 for 2, 1 BB – Bernier was hit a pitch, scored a run & drove one in … J-Rod got plunked, drove in a run & K’ed … Nunez stole a bag & scored a pair of runs
Eric Duncan & Austin Jackson: both 0 for 4, 2 K – that’s some good ol’ prospect suckiness right there
Todd Linden & Chris Malec: both 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 K – Linden doubled & drove in 3 runs … Malec hit a solo homer & drove in another run
Juan Miranda & Kevin Cash: both 1 for 4, 1 R – Miranda doubled & K’ed … Cash K’ed thrice
Casey Fossum: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 5-8 GB/FB – 54 of 83 pitches were strikes (65.1%)
Anthony Claggett: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 5-1 GB/FB – 14 of 21 pitches were strikes (66.7%)

Game 2 (9-3 win over Indianapolis in 7 innings)
Kevin Russo: 2 for 2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB
Doug Bernier & Chris Malec: both 1 for 3, 1 R – Bernier was hit by a pitch, drove in 2 runs & K’ed … Malec drew a walk & K’ed twice
Todd Linden & John Rodriguez: both 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K
Juan Miranda: 2 for 4, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 K
Austin Jackson: 0 for 4, 2 K – 1 for his last 12 (.083) … let’s see how he responds to his first AAA slump
Chris Stewart: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 K
Luis Nunez: 1 for 2, 1 R, 1 RBI
Steven Jackson: 4 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 4-5 GB/FB – 34 of 56 pitches were strikes (60.7%) … the only run came on a Steve Pearce solo homer … that’s a damn fine spot start
JB Cox: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K – 10 of 20 pitches were strikes … 8 ER & 19 baserunners allowed in his last 9 IP
Zach Kroenke: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 2-2 GB/FB – 12 of 22 pitches were strikes (54.5%)
Brett Tomko: 1 IP, zeroes, 2 K, 0-1 GB/FB – 10 of 17 pitches were strikes (58.8%)

Double-A Trenton
Game 1 (6-0 loss to Bowie in 7 innings) this was the makeup of one of the three games they had rained out this week
Eduardo Nunez: 1 for 3
Kyle Anson: 1 for 1, 2 BB, 1 PB
Everyone else: comined 0 for 19, 1 BB, 8 K, 1 HBP – Marcos Vechionacci drew a walk & K’ed … Jorge Vazquez was hit by a pitch … Colin Curtis & Seth Fortenberry both K’ed twice
Ryan Pope: 4 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 6-2 GB/FB – picked a runner off first … 13 runs allowed in his last 15 IP
Kevin Whelan: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 3-0 GB/FB – you love the 16 K in 13.1 IP … the 7 BB, not so much
Game 2 (4-3 loss to Bowie in 7 innings)
Eduardo Nunez, Reegie Corona & Jorge Vazquez: all 1 for 4 – Corona doubled & drove in a run … Vazquez K’ed
Marcos Vechionacci: 0 for 2, 1 R, 1 BB
Carlos Mendoza & Justin Snyder: both 1 for 3, 1 R
Seth Fortenberry: 1 for 1, 1 RBI, 1 CS, 1 HBP
Jose Gil: 2 for 3, 1 2B, 1 RBI
Alan Horne: 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 7-5 GB/FB – it’ll take some time for him to get his old stuff back – if he does at all – but the important thing is that he’s healthy
Amaury Sanit: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K – that’s an interesting line, so here’s what happened: first batter walked, next guy sac bunted him to 2nd but beat it out, the next guy sac bunted them to 2nd & 3rd, next guy grounded out to score the run

High-A Tampa (4-3 loss to Dunedin, walk-off style)
Austin Krum, Damon Sublett & Brandon Laird: all 2 for 4, 1 R, 1 K – Krum doubled, was caught stealing & threw a runner out at third from CF
Eric Fryer, Jack Rye & Addison Maruszack: all 0 for 4 – Fryer & Maruszack each K’ed
Jesus Montero: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K – he caught, so the leg injury can’t be that bad … allowed 2 SB to the guy with the most steals in baseball
Jeremy Bleich: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 8-6 GB/FB
Jon Hovis: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 3-3 GB/FB – Jon Hovis doesn’t blow saves, saves blow Jon Hovis

Low-A Charleston (2-1 win over Asheville in 11 innings, walk-off style)
Ray Kruml: 0 for 5
Carmen Angelini & Taylor Grote: both 1 for 5 – Angelini doubled & K’ed twice … Grote hit a walk-off single, K’ed & threw a runner out at home from LF
David Adams: 2 for 3, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 CS
Brian Baisley: 2 for 4, 1 BB
Melky Mesa: 1 for 3, 1 R , 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB – 7 homers in just 26 games
Neall French: 0 for 3, 1 BB, 2 K
Chase Weems: 0 for 2
Abe Almonte: 1 for 1 – pinch hit for Weems in the 10th, and actually caught the 11th
Hector Noesi: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 1 Balk, 4-3 GB/FB
Dan Kapala: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 6-1 GB/FB – 36-14 K/BB ratio
Cory Arbiso: 1.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 2-1 GB/FB – the walk was intentional
Pat Venditte: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 3-1 GB/FB

voIII

anyone else think it’s time to look for a new manager and GM?
- Christian
  
  Can you please provide some insight as to why the need a new manager or GM? People act like no one has ever had a 5 game losing streak.
  - voIII
    
    Can you tell me what B-Cash and Joe G(as Manager) have ever done to deserve the benefit of doubt? this team looks lost, and every year we blame injuries….Can you tell me how a team with a 200m dollar payroll has so many holes every single April? This is ridiculous…
    - Christian
      
      Well Cashamn has won three world series as a GM and another as an assistant. Girardi did win a manager of the year award and has won 89 games last year in the toughest division in baseball with an injury ravaged team.
      
      And yea, how dumb not to have a 5th catcher and 3rd utility infielder.
      - voIII
        
        Cash never assembled a champion, that was Gene Michael. Cash was along for the ride. Joe won 89 games with a 200m dollar payroll…wow…won MOY only to get fired after 1 season…
        The Yankees are about results, and right now they are not getting them…The catching has nothing to do with this…blame injuries all you want, but this team is getting no-where under this management.
        
        Christian
        
        Cash HELPED Michael and Watson assemble the chapionship teams. He also acquired David Justice who carried the team in the second half of 2000. Joe was fired becase Florida’s owner was an asshole.
        
        Sorry to reply to an off topic posts but these trolls are pissing me off.
        
        Ed
        
        Joe was fired becase Florida’s owner was an asshole.
        
        You’re totally right on everything but that.
        
        Girardi was fired because the owner (stupidly) questioned his decisions mid game, and Girardi told him to fuck off.
        
        Very few people keep their jobs after saying that to their boss.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph Pawlikowski
      
      I posted a link suggesting you keep the thread on topic. Now I’m explicitly saying it.
      - voIII
        
        Sorry Joe…got carried away…
- Accent Shallow
  
  What does that have to do with this thread?
  - Scooter
    
    Has absolutely NOTHING to do with the thread. Has everything to do with being a troll
    
    Long time reader – infrequent poster. There needs to be registration here, or it will turn into the PeteAbe blog-comment trollfest – minus Pete’s occasional snarkiness
    
    The only thing a manager can do now is to get guys to focus on staying within themselves. Injuries will heal. The team needs to stay focused and stay within striking distance of first until Bruney, Marte, Wang, ARod, and Posada return. The rotation is good enough to do this.
    - voIII
      
      not a troll…been a Yankee fan for 30 yrs… read and comment on this blog lots… Was just reading the DOF and decided to vent….
    - andrew
      
      I’m with you Scooter… since the deal with YES and just the spread of the popularity of RAB, the trolls have definitely increased around here.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph Pawlikowski
  
  http://riveraveblues.com/river-ave-blues-commenting-guidelines/#ontopic
A.D.

Abe Almonte for catcher!
Michael W.

At some point they have to see what they have in Venditte and promote him, no?
- Accent Shallow
  
  If he keeps pitching like this, he may get a bump.
  
  I’m not entirely convinced that his success isn’t due to his being older than the competition, not to mention the novelty act factor.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    Out of genuine curiosity, how do you think the “novelty factor” impacts his actual ability to get guys out?
    
    It’s not like he’s throwing with his feet. At the start of the AB, he picks a side, so all he’s doing is being a LHP against a lefty (or an RHP against a righty). Once the AB starts, it’s just like any other AB, right? I mean, the opposing batter isn’t approaching him any differently based on the knowledge that he throws with a different hand to other batters…
    - Spaceman.Spiff
      
      I agree.
    - Accent Shallow
      
      It’s tougher to get a read on what he has that day, as well as his tendencies, since he’s throwing with both hands.
      
      Other pitchers, you’ll see where their velocity is, what they throw in certain situations, etc etc. Just adding a little more uncertainty.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        Eh, I guess.
        
        I just surmise that minor league hitters, who have enough to think about, would just treat him like any other opposite-handed pitcher.
        
        Accent Shallow
        
        Switch pitching certainly makes it more likely we’ll talk about him. How much of a mention would he get if he were just an RHP?
        
        He’d be Jon Ortiz/Eric Wordekemper
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        No, I agree that he’s a novelty to us and that’s why WE talk about him.
        
        I question your statement that:
        
        “I’m not entirely convinced that his success isn’t due to… the novelty act factor.”
        
        His novelty helps him get attention. I don’t know that it helps him get actual outs.
        
        Accent Shallow
        
        It’s probably not as much of a factor as being 23 in Low A, but he’s a reliever, so the more different looks he can give, the tougher he is to get a handle on.
    - steve (different one)
      
      wait, he’s NOT throwing with his feet?
    - Ed
      
      I mean, the opposing batter isn’t approaching him any differently based on the knowledge that he throws with a different hand to other batters…
      
      They might be a little. If you’re a righty and so is the guy batting before you, you can try to get down the timing of the pitches while you’re in the on deck circle.
      
      If you’re a lefty and the guy before you is a righty, you can’t do that, as he’s got different pitches and velocities from each side.
      
      Probably not a huge difference, but still changes things a little.
  - yankees=warriors
    
    How old is he?
    - Accent Shallow
      
      24 in June.
Jose

Can the Yankees trade records with the AAA team?
http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt ACTY

Oh, Pat Venditte. You always know how to make me smile.
http://statspeak.net dan

Kinky… didn’t know saves could do that ;)
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Aunt Becca-Optimist Prime

So, umm, why do I feel like the Yankees’ ability to win is tied to Angelini’s errors or lack there of?
- A.D.
  
  Cashman flies down to Charleston and demands Angelini to make errors.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    Agreed. Angelini’s errors are directly the fault of Joe Girardi being “clueless” and Brian Cashman being a horrible GM incapable of building a bench or bullpen.
    
    Carmen’s errors? Cashman and Girardi’s fault.
    Mo’s two homers? Cashman and Girardi’s fault.
    Molina getting hurt? Cashman and Girardi’s fault.
    AJax’s slump? Cashman and Girardi’s fault.
    The global economic collapse? Cashman and Girardi’s fault.
    - http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.
      
      Uh, ~~baby raper~~ ARod?
    - Jake K
      
      What about swine flu?!
    - steve (different one)
      
      you gotta love on a night where Rivera gives up back to back HRs, people still shit on Girardi.
      
      come on, if that doesn’t tell you that there ain’t much more that he can do, i don’t know what does.
      - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        Exactly.
        
        All year long, Girardi’s been putting guys in and they’ve been shitting the bed, and fans scream that Girardi’s a moron for putting in that guy in that spot.
        
        Tonight Girardi put in THE BEST RELEIF PITCHER IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE and he shit the bed… and now it’s still somehow Girardi the dumbass.
        
        Yankee “fans” make me sick.
        
        Chris
        
        Girardi should have just talked to the ump and get him to declare 3 outs in the 9th without Mo having to throw a pitch. That’s what Torre would have done.
Manimal

Pat Vendette needs to be in atleast AA, why is he still so low in the Organization?
- http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ The Artist
  
  In all honesty, he’s really not a prospect. He doesn’t have MLB stuff from either side. He’s just an attraction for the farm clubs.
  - V
    
    At the moment, he’s not. But if he puts those video game numbers up at AA, he could be.
    
    I could see him as a lefty Mike Myers. Dunno about the right side.
    - pat
      
      I think he has jose veras potential.
- V
  
  Maybe he’s working on developing a pitch or two?
  
  He’s picked up a changeup from both righty and lefty since they drafted him. No idea how he’s using it so far.
http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ The Artist

Mike, anyone catching your eye? Besides the obvious ones being A-Jax and Montero.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Aunt Becca-Optimist Prime

Shall we start a grass roots movement to promote Venditte ;) ?
- http://theenlighteneddespot.com NC Saint
  
  Hear hear!
  
  Leaving aside my childish irrational love for the man, it does seem silly at this point. He is old for his level and dominating it. I can see holding a young player back to let him develop, but with a guy who’s too old, and a long-shot to make it anyway (I don’t really believe that) why not push him aggressively as long as he performs? If he keeps doing well, jackpot, if he doesn’t, no harm no foul. What am I missing?
Drew

When I checked MILB.com it seemed those double headers were over by, what, 4:30? How the hell did they work that out?
A.D.

All Malec does is hit.
Brian from Mt. Kisco

I just wanna say that “the guy with the most steals in baseball” is awesome…he was on my little league and high school teams. haha.
- A.D.
  
  how many steals in HS he have?
Accent Shallow

Good to see Bleich continuing to pitch well. Any chance he gets a bump to AA later in the year?
GG

i almost rather see them do nothing then have shelley duncan on the team again
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  
  Heh.
  
  We need a bat of some sort, it’s just a matter of which one: Shelley, Linden, J-Rod, or Miranda (who has a leg-up since he’s already on the 40-man.)
Lanny

They need to bring up some of these AAA guys and get more versatile on the bench. Linden should be here. Hes earned a promotion.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  
  (trying to remain calm and give you another shot to be a reasonable person capable of actual dialogue)
  
  Okay, fair enough. Yeah, adding Linden makes some sense. Who are we DFA’ing and demoting to add Linden, in your humble opinion?
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Joseph Pawlikowski
    
    That was certainly a good idea. Unfortunately, if they need to disable Molina then they have to DFA Berroa to bring up Cash. Otherwise they could have DFA’d Berroa for Linden.
    - A.D.
      
      Figure/hope Cash and Miranda are on their way up, after that thats all the healthy bats on the 40 man.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      Or, we could DFA Berroa for ARod and roll with just Peña as the only UTI (dicey, but, whatcha gonna do?)
      
      Activate ARod tomorrow, 15-day DL Molina (ugh), DFA Berroa and roll with Cash.
      And, if we’re feeling frisky, DFA Hacker too and add Linden to be the bat (demoting Gardner) and demote the 8th bullpen arm (Albie?) and bring up Miranda for good measure.
      
      C-Cervelli
      1B-Tex
      2B-Canó
      SS- Jeter
      3B-Nails
      LF-Damon
      CF-Melky
      RF-Swisher
      DH-Matsui
      
      Bench:
      Cash, Peña, Linden, Miranda
      
      Rotation:
      CC, AJ, Pettitte, Joba, Hughes
      
      Pen:
      Mo, Coke, D-Rob, Melancon, Veras, Edwar, Aceves
      - A.D.
        
        I like this idea, else try another release and sign deal with Garcia.
      - Reggie C.
        
        Bring up Miranda?
        
        Are you implying that Teixiera might need a day off to clear his head?
        
        A.D.
        
        Probably more that Matsui’s knees might need a day off, and we might want to pinch hit for our catcher late in games.
        
        http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.
        
        No, he’s implying that we need a bench with more than one capable pinch hitter.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        Reggie C. says:
        Bring up Miranda?
        Are you implying that Teixiera might need a day off to clear his head?
        
        A.D. says:
        Probably more that Matsui’s knees might need a day off, and we might want to pinch hit for our catcher late in games.
        
        Jamal G. says:
        No, he’s implying that we need a bench with more than one capable pinch hitter.
        
        All of the above.
      - http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=594331910&ref=name Jamal G.
        
        Demote Gardner? But he’s white and has minimal talent, no team can possibly win a championship without guys like that.
        
        Spaceman.Spiff
        
        Let’s punt grit and go for all the other categories like slugging, average, obp, hrs, etc.
  - Jake K
    
    I applaud your response. Seriously. It’s a nice change to see someone respond to the unbearable negativity of a few commenters with some patience, rather than personal attacks.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      I’m on the razor’s edge already, though.
      
      Figured I’d try an olive branch, but I’m ready to go right back into the personal attacks, because Lanny has burned up all his wiggle room.
      
      (I’d like it noted for the record that it’s been 15 minutes and he is yet to respond.)
      - Reggie C.
        
        you’ve accused him of stunting rational dialogue in game threads. if Lanny wants to sit back and see how dialogue erupts from his innocuous post, then that should be fine with all.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        No.
        
        If Lanny wants to participate in this forum where people exchange ideas and commentary, he should have the courage and wherewithal to respond to a question like a normal rational person.
        
        Is that really that much to ask?
        
        andrew
        
        There’s also that distinct possibility that Lanny does not sit at RAB hitting refresh all night and may return to us shortly.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        There’s also that distinct possibility that Lanny does not sit at RAB hitting refresh all night and may return to us shortly.
        
        Yes, that’s possible.
        
        The fact that he instantly reappeared to bitch/gloat the second that Mariano gave up those homers, though, lead me to believe otherwise.
Accent Shallow

If roster moves are coming, who are the DFA candidates?

Berroa, Claggett, WDLR, Hacker, Chris Garcia, Mike Dunn, Steve Jackson by my count are the most likely.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  
  Of that list, I’d say Garcia isn’t getting DFA’d because he’s actually healthy for a change and still has the most upside, and WLDR and Dunn aren’t getting DFA’d because they’re lefties.
  
  I’d trim the list to, in order of most likely to be DFA’d to least likely:
  
  1) Berroa 2) Hacker 3) SteJax 4) Claggett
  - A.D.
    
    Is Garcia healthy? I thought he wasn’t
    - Reggie C.
      
      I think Garcia is pitching in EST games. I remember Garcia’s name was mentioned as one of 2 pitchers who pitched to Arod that first couple “controlled” games.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      He’s throwing in EXST. No setbacks thus far that I’m aware of.
  - Jake K
    
    I can’t believe Garcia’s only 23. Feels like he’s been teasing us forever.
- A.D.
  
  Berroa = #1
  
  WDLR & Dunn are essentially no chance.
  - Accent Shallow
    
    Berroa’s gone for A-Rod. That’s almost certainly a given. Was wondering who’s next in line if they decided to add a non-Miranda bench bat (which would be a solid idea, since Miranda doesn’t hit lefties and is pretty useless defensively)
    
    I’d agree that WDLR are Dunn are probably the least likely of the players I listed.
    
    Someone upthread had mentioned a release/re-sign deal with Chris Garcia. I could go for that if he’s still rehabbing, but I was under the impression he’s currently healthy.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      Yeah, I think that Garcia is unlike Humberto, he wouldn’t make it through waivers and take an MiL assignment.
      
      Humberto is 26 and a reliever. Garcia is 23 and a starter. They’re both huge injury risks, but Garcia is still young enough with a big enough upside that I could see someone taking him even if he WAS currently injured like Humberto, which, as you said, he’s not.
    - A.D.
      
      I said the release and sign deal. I was under the impression he wasn’t all that healthy, other posters feel that he is healthy and just building up arm strength, which I much prefer.
      
      Figure Hacker is a nice player, but really nothing special, otherwise they could buy some time with a 60 day DL stint for someone.
Reggie C.

100 ABs into the season and Carmen Angelini is hitting .188/.250/.228. I don’t know if the erratic defense has caused this utter futility at the plate, or vice-versa, but this kid looks like he needs to take a break from Low-A ball.
- Accent Shallow
  
  He was terrible last year, and he’s been even worse this year. I think you have to cut him some slack since he’s just a kid, but yikes. If he doesn’t improve, what’s the organization’s next move? Release him? Repeat Low A for a second time?
  
  He does have plenty of time to turn it around, so at this point you just have to let him play, no?
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    They’re not going to just release him. They dumped seven figures on the kid, so they’ve got to give him every chance they can. A position chance doesn’t look far off, so maybe that will take some pressure off his bat.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Oh, forgot to mention that in hindsight, the kid was definitely better off going to college. Pro ball might have been a little too much for him at that age.
      - Reggie C.
        
        I wonder if Angelini could’ve taken the SS position from the other LSU SS – DJ LeMahieu? It’d be pretty ironic if Angelini were in school right now and be LSU’s 3B, LeMahieu 2B, and some freshman at SS.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        Angelini was committed to Rice. Rick Hague is one of the best SS in the country, so Angelini would have been stuck at 2B or 3B for them.
        
        Reggie C.
        
        Ahhhh..
        
        Should’ve googled that before posting it. I remembered he’s from Louisiana. I just made a bad assumption.
        
        http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        I will NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THAT, REGGIE!!!
        
        (i keed, i keed)
    - Accent Shallow
      
      To 3B, with Lassiter going back to short? CF?
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        I was thinking 2B. I could be wrong, but it seems like most of his errors come on throws, so moving to third wouldn’t help that. CF is a good possibility, he’s athletic enough for it.
        
        Reggie C.
        
        David Adams.
        
        Any chance he could man SS??
        
        He’s hitting pretty damn well in High-A as their 2B. Defensively? I guess he’s solid. Adams is working out as a solid selection.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    Eh, until he’s old enough that we’re forced to protect him, there’s not much we can do that makes any sense other than keep running him out there.
    
    I wonder if we should consider giving SS back to Lassiter, though, and trying Angelini elsewhere. Maybe he’s just not an SS and moving to an easier defensive position can fix his head.
  - Reggie C.
    
    I’m thinking he’s in need of controlled situations … maybe EST game situations in Tampa. You do give him at least another 100 at bats in Charleston.
    
    I mean if he’s hitting .200 , 200 ABs into the season, there’s something very wrong.
http://www.riveraveblues.com Benjamin Kabak

Pat Venditte’s now at 23 K and 0 BB in Single A. May as well bump him up as fast as they can. He has a ceiling. Time to find out what it is.

On another note, it’s interesting to watch the (non-)development of J.B. Cox. Some pitchers come back strong from TJ surgery; others don’t. Looks like he’s in the latter camp, no?
- Accent Shallow
  
  It would certainly appear that way. How much longer do you keep him around and give him a shot? Until the end of the year? Next year? I can’t see him going in the Rule V draft if he continues to pitch this poorly.
- Spaceman.Spiff
  
  Wow 23 to 0? I don’t care if he’s a novelty, we should at least see how much of a novelty is in AA instead of at single A.
- Jake K
  
  Two years ago I thought JB would be a mainstay in the Yanks bullpen by now.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    Yup. He was pretty dominant and polished at Texas. Looked like a fast-tracker… oh well.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    You and me both.
A.D.

Linden has had a nice minor league career, interesting it’s never clicked in the majors.
http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Aunt Becca-Optimist Prime

I realize this is off topic, but there’s nowhere else to post, according to PeteAbe, Girardi says Mo is battling arm-strength issues.

Uh oh.

[Insert comment here about really, really wanting to see what Venditte does at Tampa.]
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  
  Mo’s injured?
  
  Cashman and Girardi’s fault.
  - Jake K
    
    Manny’s fault.
    - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      Heh.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Arm strength issues =/= injury.
  
  The no walks tell you his command is fine, and he’s still racking up plenty of strikeouts. Every April we hear that Mo’s finally declining, so maybe this year it just extended a bit into May.
http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

Heh.

Steve Phillips (a/k/a Mr. One of These 6 Starters Has to Go to The Bullpen) just said that the Yankees will make the postseason this year.

Funny how people can be so wrong about so much but still right about other things.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  That’s bad news dude. He’s said the Yanks will miss the playoffs every year since like, 2003, and until last year he was always wrong.
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    He thinks he’s so smart, what with his dago mustache and greasy hair.
- Accent Shallow
  
  Jokes on you, since he was clearly talking about the SWB Yankees.
- http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Aunt Becca-Optimist Prime
  
  Hey, this guy did say the Rockies would make it in 2007
  - http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
    
    Phillips = blind squirrel
    2007 Rockies = nut
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=15305165&ref=profile Doug
    
    Blind squirrel and nut or broken clock and twice a day?
Chris V.

Is Kevin Russo a legit MLB 2nd baseman?
- A.D.
  
  Guy is a hit machine so far this year.
pat

OMG fatman has sunk to a new low. Un-fricking believable. I guess the people there just take after their overlord. I’m literally speechless. I’m sorry for digressing from dotf but it’s just ridiculous.
- http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
  
  I don’t think I want to know.
  - http://www.youtube.com/kevyyankees Kevin G.
    
    http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2009/05/07/we-have-a-winner-funniest-comment-in-lhyb-history-is-revealed/
  - pat
    
    Heh, he deleted my comment. Awesome.
    - http://www.retire21.org Mike R. – Retire 21
      
      What did you write? I have written two comments where I destroy his little arguments with his own words (Previous posts, comments etc.)
      
      Coincidentally it was also the only two occasions where my comments got “caught in the spam filter”.
      - V
        
        Lohud spam filter is triggered if you use more than 1 link.
    - http://www.youtube.com/kevyyankees Kevin G.
      
      What did you say?
http://www.youtube.com/kevyyankees Kevin

Why did all of the doubleheader games only go 7 innings?
- http://www.retire21.org Mike R. – Retire 21
  
  Minor league Double headers are 7 innings by rule.
http://mantisfists.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/julius-carry-aka-shonuff.jpg The Honorable Congressman Mondesi

What’s the deal with Hector Noesi? He’s been totally dominant this season (20.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 11 hits, 28/2 K/B). Does the organization see him as a prospect or is he just a “guy” having a nice little run early in the season.
Jobu

Ummm – Tomko to big club bullpen seems like a pretty good move at this point doesn’t it?