Mustelier, Johnson homer late in Trenton win

May 3, 2012 by Mike Axisa 26 Comments

The recently signed Adonis Garcia will head to Extended Spring Training for a while before being assigned to one of the minor league affiliates. Ronnie Mustelier was the same age Garcia is now when he signed last year, and he went to High-A Tampa after spending some time in ExST, though he signed later in the summer. Not crazy to think Garcia will see Double-A Trenton at some point this summer.

In other news, Dan Burawa’s rehab from a torn oblique is apparently go well. Hooray for that, even if we still don’t have any idea of when he’ll be back on a mound. Meanwhile, Gus Molina was activated off the DL and Yadil Mujica was promoted to Triple-A.

Triple-A Empire State (4-3 loss to Rochester) all three outfielders had an assist, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen before
2B Kevin Russo: 2-3, 1 R, 1 BB — 12 for his last 31 (.387) with four doubles, eight walks, and five strikeouts
DH Frankie Cervelli & RF Cole Garner: both 0-4 — Cervelli struck out three times, Garner twice … Garner also threw a runner out at first
LF Dewayne Wise & 3B Steve Pearce: both 0-3, 1 BB — Wise scored a run, struck out, and threw a runner out at the plate … Pearce committed a throwing error
1B Brandon Laird: 2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 K, 1 E (missed catch) — 12 for his last 34 (.353)
CF Colin Curtis, C Craig Tatum & SS Doug Bernier: all 0-3 — Curtis threw a runner out at second … Tatum allowed a passed ball … Bernier struck out twice
RHP Dellin Betances: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 1 WP, 7/7 GB/FB — 55 of 108 pitches were strikes (50.9%) … 6+ BB in three of six starts this year, leading to a 21/27 K/BB in 28.1 IP … the bullpen, it’s a callin’
RHP Adam Miller: 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 4/0 GB/FB — 26 of 39 pitches were strikes (66.7%)

Double-A Trenton (9-7 win over Portland)
RF Abe Almonte: 1-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 SB
LR Dan Brewer: 0-4, 3 K
3B Ronnie Mustelier: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 HBP — led off the top of the ninth with a go-ahead solo homer
DH Cody Johnson: 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 K — went back-to-back with Mustelier to make it a two-run lead
CF Melky Mesa: 1-5, 1 R, 2 K
1B Luke Murton: 2-5, 1 R
2B Kevin Mahoney: 3-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K — had been in a 2-for-15 rut (.133)
C Gus Molina: 3-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 PB
SS Addison Maruszak: 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 K
LHP Shaeffer Hall: 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 5/4 GB/FB — 50 of 86 pitches were strikes (58.1%)
RHP Kelvin Perez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 2/2 GB/FB — 19 of 24 pitches were strikes (79.2%)
RHP Michael Dubee: 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GB/FB — 15 of 21 pitches were strikes (71.4%)
RHP Ryan Flannery: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GB/FB — ten of 18 pitches were strikes (55.6%)

High-A Tampa (12-6 loss to Brevard County) they faced LHP Jed Bradley, the 15th overall pick in last year’s draft
CF Eduardo Sosa & C J.R. Murphy: both 1-4, 1 BB — Sosa drove in a run and struck out … Murphy scored a run
LF Ramon Flores & 2B Kelvin Castro: both 0-4 — Flores walked and scored … Castro drove in a run and struck out
RF Rob Segedin: 2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K — .297/.368/.475 this year
DH Neil Medchill: 1-5, 1 R, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 1 K — apparently he was just sent back down from Trenton
1B Kyle Roller: 1-3, 1 R, 1 K, 1 HBP, 1 E (fielding)
3B Jose Toussen: 2-4, 1 R
SS Jose Mojica: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI
RHP Shane Greene: 5 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 1 WP, 1 HB, 6/1 GB/FB
LHP Aaron Dott: 2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 4/0 GB/FB
LHP Vidal Nuno: 2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0/2 GB/FB — 83/8 K/BB in 81.1 IP since signing last year

Low-A Charleston (5-4 win over Lakewood in ten innings, walk-off style) allowed a run in the top of the tenth but came back to win
CF Ben Gamel: 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 BB– still no Mason Williams, though he is not listed on the DL
2B Angelo Gumbs: 1-4, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
3B Dante Bichette Jr.: 0-5 — the slump is extended to 4-for-38 (.105)
RF Tyler Austin: 0-3, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K — started the tenth inning rally with a leadoff walk and he threw a runner out at the plate
C Gary Sanchez: 1-5, 1 R, 2 K
LF Kelvin DeLeon: 1-5, 1 RBI, 2 K — singled in Austin to tie the game
DH Casey Stevenson: 2-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
1B Rey Nunez: 2-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
SS Anderson Feliz: 3-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 K, 2 SB — walk-off single
RHP Will Oliver: 5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 8/2 GB/FB — 50 of 77 pitches were strikes (64.9%)
LHP Dan Mahoney: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 0 K — just 14 of 33 pitches were strikes (42.4%) … I guess he didn’t want to get shown up by Betances
RHP Mariel Checo: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 2/0 GB/FB — half of his 20 pitches were strikes
RHP Zach Varce: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 3/0 GB/FB, 2 E (fielding, throwing) — 18 of 27 pitches were strikes (66.7%)
RHP Ben Paullus: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, 1/0 GB/FB — only nine of his 24 pitches were strikes (37.5%), and none of those walks were intentional … and to think, he got the win

Reggie C.

Betances must be hiding some sort of injury affecting his release point or other mechanics. There were lots of complaints of a BB/9 rate of over a 4 last season. Yet, Betances still managed successful outings in 105 AA innings, mostly b/c the swing-and-miss stuff was still there. Now, we’re seeing an exponential rise in the BB/9 rate and a significant decrease in whiffs.

Really, i’m wondering if Betances could even succeed in a bullpen role right now. He can’t locate the strike zone to save his life right now.
- Frank
  
  Betances is looking awfully like Brackman.
- http://none Bernard
  
  I think Dellin will be successful, but it won’t be in baseball. Steve Dalkowski of the Baltimore Orioles was once clocked at 108 mph but he couldn’t throw the ball over the plate. Same thing here.
  - K.B.D.
    
    Or not really.
    
    “Estimates of Dalkowski’s top pitching speed abound. Cal Ripken Sr. guessed that he threw up to 115 miles per hour (185 km/h).[19] However, that figure is likely an exaggeration. Most observers agree that he routinely threw well over 100 miles an hour (160 km/h), and sometimes reached 105 mph (160–168 km/h).[20] Radar guns, which are routinely used today, did not exist when Dalkowski was playing, so the only evidence supporting this level of velocity is anecdotal.”
    
    VIA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Dalkowski
    - Miles Davis
      
      dalkowski also had a lower IQ than forrest gump
    - http://none Bernard
      
      Wow! Thanks for the expanded info about Steve Dalkowski. He was crazy wild. Still, I think that Dellin [Betances] will be successful, but that it won’t be in baseball. And we won’t have to wait too many more years to find that out.
      - JMK
        
        And what do you think he’ll be successful in, Bernard? Aeronautics?
        
        (I’m not saying I know anything about his changes of success in non-baseball fields; just wondering if you know something we don’t.)
        
        http://none Bernard
        
        I wish I could tell you but I can’t. Just seems like we all are destined to find that one thing that we were meant to do. I went to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and washed out. Then I went into the Air Force and made a career of it. I think the same thing will happen with Dellin. He’ll find what he was meant to do and he’ll be successful at it. It may not be baseball. We fail at one thing and we succeed at another. That’s just the way life is.
        
        Scout
        
        Betances is rather tall to be a pilot, Bernard.
MikedJones

Johsnon rules!
JohnnyBGoode

Mustelier>Nix
Not even joking.
I’ve really taken a liking to Mustelier.
Want to see him in AAA soon.
- isotopesgm
  
  I know he’s 27 years old and tearing up AA. Whats the point of keeping him there?
Samuel

Betances needs to throw the ball down the middle every pitch and see what happens. I would rather have him get knocked around a little then walk the world. And who knows, if his stuff is good, then he may get away with pitches down the middle.

But more likely when he attempts pitches down the middle, he may be hitting the corners all night.

And the method of Yankee starting pithcing development is ridiculous. Will Oliver will be 25 years old in two months and he is pitching at LOW A Charleston. He was also like a 85th round pick out of Bumshit Univ.

He is a non-prospect.

Can the Yankees at least let this kid throw more than 77 pitches and 5 innings in a start where he has allowed ZERO runs.

PLEASE!

Why are they babying these 25 year old kids?

Nardi Contreras needs to be replaced. He sucks as a organizational pitching guru.
- Ted Nelson
  
  Ever think that being a non-prospect is part of why they took him out? To get other guys reps rather than wasting the innings on Oliver?
  
  Nardil doesn’t even cover Low A… But nice try!
  - Samuel
    
    Nardi has been the Yankees pitching guru for the last 10 seasons or so. This season, he is spends all his time in AAA and AA, but he does plan out the entire Yankee pitching program with the guy who covers Low A and High A.
    
    If Oliver isn’t any type of potential arm for the higher levels, why is he there starting? There are only so many starting jobs in the organization. Why is he getting the five innings and not someone else? He is a non-prospect because of his age, and if he isn’t in the plans, then he shouldn’t be getting the 5 innings.
    
    But if the kid is starting and thowing well then leave him in there.
    
    The other guys they ran out there aren’t prospects either. Most, if not all, will not even make it to Tampa, let alone the majors.
    
    Oliver has allowed one run (or less) in four of his five starts. He is more of a potential contributor to a few higher level squads than any of the other four arms they gave “reps” to.
    
    This whole concept of having to give middle relief pitchers reps throughout the minors is the biggest waste of time and resources in baseball. The idea is to build up good starters and solid back end bullpen guys who will help with the major league club.
    
    All these middling, mop up guys are just taking important innings away from the starters, who need to be pushed deeper into games. That is how you develop real good starting pitching for the major leagues. By pushing them while they are in the minors into areas of more innings and higher pitch counts.
    
    By hooking guys early, these kids are not ready for major league pitching, where the games actually count.
    
    So when a Will Oliver (who is 25 and past the Verducci Effect age already) is taken out after five dominant innigs, it doens’t give anyone in the organization an idea if this kid can go 7 solid with ease or even 8 or 9 innings. It doesn’t build up a kids stamina for a starting role. Does he get better as the game goes on into the crunch time of late innings?
    
    Who knows since he is never allowed to get there.
    
    They did the same thing to Phil Hughes in Double A and the same thing to guys like Banuelos, Betances and many more. Eight years of Cashman (and Nardi) in total control, and what do the Yankees have to show for it in the majors?
    
    Ivan Nova.
    
    All those years of highly touted pitching prospects and all they can show for it is Ivan Nova, a guy who wasn’t even on their radar for four years.
    
    Pathetic.
YankeeGrunt

Betances had five walks in the first two innings, and both earned runs. He calmed down, walked 1 and K’ed 3 over the next 4 innings. He could have imploded but didn’t, that’s something small you can take away from this start.
isotopesgm

Cervelli struck out three times, Garner twice…

I believe this should read: Garner twice, cervelli thrice!

You cant withold the simple joys from us, especially on a night where mo potentially blew out his knee.
forensic

First Russell Martin DH’s and now Cervelli??? What’s up with this organization? They must have an alternate definition of what DH stands for.
Rick in Boston

Is Culver banged up? That’s at least the second game in a row he has missed.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  His grandfather passed away. Going to be away from the team for a few days.
  - Rick in Boston
    
    Ahh, that’s right. Thanks.
Robert

I hope Bauelos pans out we need him. With the terrible injury to Rivera put Betances in the bullpen now,maybe he can be a one ininng wonder….
Who will get called up to take Mo’s place???
http://none Bernard

One inning wonder? As in, I WONDER how many runners he’s going to put on base? Dellin might start an inning fresh, but you’d never want to bring him in with men already on base. Imagine if the bases were loaded. Ball one. Ball two. Ball three. And ball four. [That last pitch was close though.]
Frank

Dellin Betances: Years in the Yankees system – 6

Progress made while there – zero

They do wonderful things with pitchers, the Yankees.
Samuel

Interesting note for today:

The Montero trade just gets better. Jose Campos scratched from today’s start with Charleston and placed on the 7-day DL. NO word from Charleston team as to why he was scratched.
chrisginn

give betances at least a year in AAA to figure things out. we, the fans, criticize the yankees for not stretching out their prospects but we should also acknowledge when prospects fail when stressed we’ve got to give them a decent chance to rediscover how to succeed before giving up on them or moving them to a lesser role.