Via Bryan Hoch, the Yankees have signed 19-year-old right-hander Leonel Vinas to a minor league contract after being called to Tampa for three private workout sessions. He spent the summer pitching for a Hank Steinbrenner sponsored youth team here in New York, defeating Mariano Rivera Jr.’s team at Yankee Stadium for the “Boss’s Cup.” Vinas struck out 168 batters in 84 innings this year, throwing no-hitters against Adelphia University and Suffolk Community College. According to the article he throws a fastball, curveball, and changeup, and will start his career as a reliever in rookie ball next season.

I’m always a fan of long-shot stories like this, so I wish him nothing but the best of luck.