Update: Heathcott, Romine & Adams ticketed for Arizona Fall League

August 18, 2012 by Mike Axisa 20 Comments

12:02pm: Via Josh Norris, the Yankees will indeed send Heathcott to the AzFL. He says they’re also likely to send RHP Dan Burawa (oblique, rib) if he gets healthy in time, and other players in consideration for a trip to Arizona include RHP Zach Nuding, RHP Tommy Kahnle, LHP Matt Tracy, RHP Mark Montgomery, RHP Branden Pinder, and RHP Preston Claiborne.

10:00am: Via Joel Sherman, the Yankees are planning to send C Austin Romine and 2B David Adams to the Arizona Fall League after the season. Both players have missed time with injuries not just this year, but last year as well. Romine (back) only has 70 plate appearances this season while Adams (ankle, neck) has 328 plate appearances. He’s been working out at third base lately and could get more time there in the desert.

The rosters have not been officially announced as of yet but that could happen as soon as next week. OF Slade Heathcott would make sense for an AzFL trip as well after missing the first half of the season due to shoulder surgery, though he would count as their one Single-A player. Neither LHP Manny Banuelos or RHP Jose Campos will be eligible because they were not on an active roster within 45 days of the end of the season. The rules are weird, I know. Each teams sends seven players, usually three position players and four pitchers.

Rich in NJ

I would guess Adams will play a lot of 3B there?
Nice Scheister

It would be nice to see Slade againist the talent the fall leagues have, he could certainly increase his stock some more if he can remain semi -productive and healthy there.
ADam

Can banuelos and campos go to another winter league? Hawaiian/Mexican/DR?
- NYinTX
  
  Hawaiian is gone, no?
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    Yep, since replaced by the Australian Winter League.
    - Paul VuvuZuvella
      
      Have the Yanks ever sent a player to the Australian league ?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Actually, IIRC, Banuelos’ winter ball rights are still controlled by the team he played for in Mexico, so that’s likely where he would go. No idea about Campos.
  - Jedua
    
    His Rights belong to los Tomateros de Culiacán, who will be very happy to having him
    - Andy in Sunny Daytona
      
      The Tomatoes are the best!!
Smart Guy

Josh Norris ?@jnorris427

Slade Heathcott is going to the Arizona Fall League. #Yankees
http://www.riveraveblues.com Eric Schultz

I wonder if this means that the Yankees are planning on starting Slade in AA next year
- Preston
  
  I hope so.
- JobaWockeeZ
  
  That would be aggressive but I’ll always be in favor of a position player being pushed up fast.
  - Laz
    
    170 at bats is decent at High A. Taking a ton of walks, is hitting the pitching wiht moderate strength. Only reason to leave him down is if you want him to work on something in particular. He will be 22 starting next season, so a move to AA should be suitable.
Brian S.

What i the equivalent of the AzFL? AA+?
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  That’s about right. Maybe higher for the pitching.
G

So basically if Slade can hold his own in there, they can get really aggressive with him? I mean if he can play against AA+ competition, he should only need so much time in AA right? Maybe a mid to late 2013 AAA promotion with a chance at the bigs in 2014?
- Laz
  
  He is in High A right now, so really doubt he gets up midseason. Probably is a 2014 promotion at most. By the time he gets 200 at bats in at trenton, then AAA. And thats all assuming he doesnt struggle.
  - Ted Nelson
    
    Mid season promotion to AAA G said… Which is less aggressive than your 200 ABs.
- Ted Nelson
  
  Would be a good sign, but he’d have to keep it up and keep adjusting. And stay healthy.