O’Brien goes deep again in Tampa’s win

April 11, 2014 by Mike Axisa 22 Comments

In case you’re wondering, RHP Gabe Encinas is currently throwing bullpen sessions as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, according to his Twitter feed. He was on his way to becoming one of the team’s top pitching prospects before blowing out his elbow last summer. Also, no Yankees farmhands made the first Prospect Hot Sheet of the season.

Triple-A Scranton was rained out. The season started last Thursday and this is already their fifth rain out. Stuff like this is why LHP Manny Banuelos is in Tampa right now. Anyway, they’ll play a doubleheader tomorrow.

Double-A Trenton (5-4 loss to Erie)

CF Mason Williams: 0-5, 1 K
DH Ben Gamel: 1-4, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
3B Tyler Austin: 2-5, 2 K, 1 E (throwing) — they said they wanted to try to maintain some of his versatility, so he’ll see time at third and first base in addition to his usual right field
C Gary Sanchez: 2-5
2B Rob Refsnyder: 2-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 2 K — 13 strikeouts in 29 at-bats
RHP Zach Nuding: 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 6/1 GB/FB — 58 of 88 pitches were strikes (66%)
RHP Jairo Heredia: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 3/1 GB/FB — 12 of 21 pitches were strikes (57%)

High-A Tampa (5-1 win over Daytona)

CF Jake Cave: 1-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K
SS Cito Culver: 0-4, 2 K
DH Eric Jagielo: 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 K
C Peter O’Brien: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 E (pickoff) — his last four hits have gone for extra bases (two doubles, two homers)
3B Dante Bichette Jr.: 1-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB — eight walks and five strikeouts in eight games
2B Angelo Gumbs: 1-4, 1 R, 1 K, 1 E (fielding)
RHP Rafael DePaula: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 5/3 GB/FB — much better outing than his first start

Low-A Charleston (8-1 loss to Augusta)

SS Tyler Wade: 0-2, 3 BB, 1 K, 1 E (fielding)
RF Aaron Judge: 0-3, 1 BB, 2 K
3B Miguel Andujar: 0-3, 1 BB, 2 E (throwing, missed catch)
2B Gosuke Katoh: 0-4, 4 K, 1 E (fielding) — 14 strikeouts in 22 at-bats … eek
RHP Gio Gallegos: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 7/2 GB/FB — 57 of 83 pitches were strikes (69%)

Chris H

Really hoping De Paula tears it up this year and ends the season in AA. If he manages to develop into a big league starter we could end up with great young rotations in the future.
YankeeGrunt

I’ve been a little surprised at how much Charleston’s offense has struggled. It’s a very young team and maybe they were a little aggressive with guys like Katoh but hopefully they can pick it up over the next few weeks.
- Jorge Steinbrenner
  
  A lot of guys new to level. Give that some time. There’s nice talent there, but they’re not going to come out all guns blazing.
- Cool Lester Smooth
  
  Yeah, I really think Torrens and, especially, Katoh could have used a year in Staten Island before hitting the big time.
  - n0exit
    
    Disagree, SI starts in June so they would have just wasted time in extended st until then. Both have a solid enough approach but its early. They can always be sent down when the season starts.
    - Angelo
      
      I don’t think I’d call extended spring training “a waste of time.” Just because we don’t see the results of their progress doesn’t mean it’s a waste of time at all.
      
      However, I do agree with the fact that they can be sent down to SI if they’re still struggling in June. I made a similar statement yesterday.
      - n0exit
        
        I meant a waste of time for them. I don’t think intra squad and sim games against rehabbing and DSL players would really help either offensively. If they had significant defensive adjustments to make then yes but both are OK defensively. I’m sure the Yankees have a certain number of AB they want both of them to see this season.
        
        Speaking of extended St I’m really excited about Jorge Mateo. Really hope he has the goods.
        
        Andy in Sunny Daytona
        
        Extended Spring Training isn’t just inter-squad games. It’s games against other organizations. The play teams from PIT, TOR, PHI, ATL and HOU. It’s just like the regular season except these games don’t count.
nycsportzfan

DBJ adds to a well played season for him.
Macho Man “Randy Levine”

Those Refsynder and Katoh K numbers are very discouraging. I thought they were both high contact guys.
- ALZ
  
  Meh. Give them time. They both jumped up a level, AA where prospects are usually made, and A ball being big over rookie ball. They are discouraging, but they need to made some changes. If one becomes a real strong prospect after this year I’d be pretty happy.
- vicki
  
  this time last year katoh was getting ready for the prom. we can be a little patient.
  - Looser Trader Droids Kenobi FotD™
    
    “What about prom!?!”
ALZ

Rather Austin at corner infield if at all possible. The team is set in the outfield for the time being, and Mason/Slade grade out as much defenders out there.
Angelo

O’Brien has been pretty hot to begin the season. He’s never been the first guy on my radar, but so far so good.
The Other Matt

It’s nice to see DePaula have a good outing. He got off to a nice start last season, earning a spot in the Future’s Game, before tailing off a bit towards the end of the season. Does anyone know when the Yankees have to put him on the 40-man to protect him from the Rule 5?
Paco Dooley

Katoh is following the DBJ model – look like a super prospect in your first short season and then fall off a cliff – let’s hope he recovers from a slow start and doesn’t really follow that model, especially since i hear he looks good at 2B
SamVa

Katoh to the ‘pen.
Looser Trader Droids Kenobi FotD™

Not now Katoh! – Inspector Clouseau
Deep Thoughts

Mustelierian cries to call up O’Brien to back up Teixeira in 3…2…1…
Joe

Did anyone else notice that the DH for the Daytona Cubs name is Rock Shoulder? outstanding
Joe

Shoulders…..Even better