The list came out today in the Baseball America magazine and, in order, goes:

1. Jesus Montero
2. Gary Sanchez
3. Dellin Betances
4. Manny Banuelos
5. Andrew Brackman
6. Austin Romine
7. Hector Noesi
8. Eduardo Nunez
9. Slade Heathcott
10. Brandon Laird

Some thoughts:

1) Jesus Montero is a no-contest obvious choice for top pick. He struggled early in the AAA season, but a) he’s twenty years old, and b) went from hitting below .220 in May to just under .290 at season’s end. To fully understand how good he was in the second half, consider that his second-half wOBA was .433. There are, of course, the requisite questions about the defense, but when your bat is that good, they’ll find a place for you to play.

2) That Gary Sanchez is ranked second on the list does come as a surprise. While he arguably has one of, if not the, highest ceiling of the non-pitching prospects in the Yankee system, given his bat and that he doesn’t turn eighteen till December, he also is coming off his first professional season, played entirely at the GCL/Short Season level. Okay, so maybe Sanchez led the league in OPS, was 2nd in home runs, 3rd in OBP, and first in SLG, but there’s still such a long road ahead of him, and so much is just having the good luck to stay healthy, that while Sanchez no doubt deserves a top ten ranking, second does seem to be pushing it just a bit…

3) It’s great to see all three of the Killer B’s on the list, although I would have perhaps ordered it differently–Banuelos, Brackman, Betances, although if any one of the three hits anything close to their ceiling it will be fun to watch. Banuelos is perhaps the most polished of the three, throws left handed, is just nineteen and even managed to hit 97 on the gun once or twice. He sits much lower normally–low nineties, but there’s still much to like.

Andrew Brackman had a much improved 2010 after a rather, well, let’s-not-go-there season in 2009. It was decent enough to earn him a September call up from AA, and though he never appeared in a game, he was considered active. There’s a very good chance he’ll make his Major League debut at some point next season.

Dellin Betances has perhaps the flithiest pure stuff among the Killer B’s, but has an injury history that could be a red flag going forward.

That said, if you’re ranking the Killer B’s on stuff alone, Betances-Banuelos-Brackman would seem the most logical route.

4) Romine didn’t have a great 2010, but some of it may have to do with wearing down after a full season of catching. He’s supposed to be much better behind the plate than Montero, which has some sensing that he could stick at catcher long term if Montero becomes a full time DH, but a) it’s probably too early to really speculate about that, and b) let’s see how he responds next season before anointing him Posada’s successor (the same, perhaps, could be said of Montero except that Montero is much, much closer to being MLB ready if he’s not already there.)

5) Noesi may not have the Killer B’s ceilings, and he struggled at triple A, but let’s not forget he started 2010 in high A, so he’s made quite a journey. Let’s see how he responds this upcoming season.

6) I’m really baffled at Eduardo Nuñez appearing in the top 10–sure, he did make a couple Major League appearances in 2010, but not everyone is sold. I asked Josh Norris, who covers the Trenton Thunder for The Trentonian and has covered Nuñez for his thoughts:

When I saw Nunez, what stood out to me was his arm. He has an absolute bazooka over there. He always seemed to take his time over at shortstop, but he always managed to get his man by at least a step. Oh, and did I mention he led the team in hits?

Maybe it turns out that Nuñez is one of those that no one really expects to stick…and then does, but color me a little more skeptical.

7) Heathcott was the Yankees’ top pick in 2009, and hit .258/.359/.352/.712 at Charleston this season. It’s only his second professional season, and first in full season ball, so I wouldn’t make too much of the numbers just yet. Here’s a scouting report, it’s not entirely positive and makes it clear that Heathcott still has a very long way to go. Not, perhaps, as long as Sanchez, but still, it’ll probably be a little while.

On Brandon Laird: so, uh, 2010 came out of almost nowhere. Given that Laird’s never quite had an offensive performance like that before, there’s no certainty he’ll repeat and the Yankees may be best off selling high, although Laird, at 22 may simply be a late bloomer.

So the way I see it, the Yankee farm system is in better shape than it’s been in a while–just think of all of those who didn’t make the list that could have–although it’s far from perfect. The top five, especially, have tremendous upside although one must consider that nothing is ever a guarantee.

Still, for the Yankees, a team used to venerating the past, the future looks pretty bright.

Share on Facebook

Josh Norris covers the Yankees’ AA affiliate, the Trenton Thunder for the Trentonian. He was kind enough to agree to an interview here; you can read his “Minors Matters” blog here.

Which position player impressed you the most and why?

This is easy. It has to be Brandon Laird. Based on his impressive work in the Arizona Fall League, I figured Laird would be a solid little ballplayer, but I never expected this.

I can’t really stress enough how difficult it is to hit a home run at Waterfront Park. He not only managed to do that consistently, but nearly all of his homers were soaring, majestic bombs that made me fear for my windshield.

He was one of the three players I’ve seen with the ability to make the stadium look small. The others were Jesus Montero (perhaps you’ve heard of him) and Jorge Vazquez.

He played a nice third base with a solid arm, but, as most of you know, will be transitioning to the outfield to maximize his potential.

I’m not sure if he has a place with the Yankees, simply because of their current outfield situation. Gardner and Swisher probably aren’t going anywhere for a while, so the only way I see him getting to New York is if Granderson leaves and Gardner moves to center (where he belongs). Other than that, he could be trade bait this offseason.

Which pitcher impressed you the most?

 I think the most impressive pitcher was Brackman, based on the absolutely rock-bottom expectations he had coming into the season. It would have been perfectly reasonable to see him spend all of 2010 Tampa, but he didn’t. He moved to Trenton and, after a brief adjustment period, dominated.

He topped at 98 with the heater and flashed a hook that, even from the elevated press box, looked really, really dirty. In his final game, in relief of Andy Pettitte, he held the Altoona Curve (the eventual league champions) to just a hit and a walk over five shutout frames.

The coup de grace came in the eighth, when an error put the winning run at second base with nobody out. With help from a one-out intentional walk, Brackman loaded the bags with just one down.

Earlier in the season, this would surely have led to a crooked number. This time, however, Brackman buckled down and coaxed an inning-ending double to keep alive his team’s chances in what wound up being the team’s final win.

The stuff was clearly there from day one, but his mental toughness grew by leaps and bounds as his Thunder tenure grew. That showed me a lot. He’s still got a bit to work on, but I think the Yankees may have scratched off the right lottery ticket with Andrew Brackman.

Of the Killer B’s (Brackman-Betances-Banuelos), which looks most polished/advanced?

I’m going to go with Banuelos, because of the extreme poise he showed as a 19-year-old in the playoffs. The game against New Hampshire really sealed it for me. Here he was, in a game with the potential for a clinch, against the best hitting team in the league, and he comes up nails.

He coupled high-90s heat with low-80s change-ups in his first start with the 80-pitch count removed, and in the process more than lived up to all the praise that was lavished on him during the offseason.
Moreover, his command of the English language was impressive, and his maturity with the media was very, very good. You don’t always see that out of prospects, particularly ones facing a real media contingent for the first time.

Romine started hot and then kind of fizzled. Still an elite prospect? What impact does Montero/Sanchez have on the way we percieve Romine?

At this point, I think Romine is a B+ prospect rather than an A. I wouldn’t be at all shocked to see him return to Trenton to begin the season. He has too much work to do as a hitter and a receiver, plus I think Montero will probably begin 2011 at Scranton for more work with the glove.

Romine did make excellent strides as a game-caller this year, and I still believe he will eventually take over for Posada down the road. That said, he will be 22 once next year opens, and that means there is PLENTY of time for him to develop. If that means Cervelli or Montero has to serve as a buffer for a year.

Ever thought Cervelli would stick in the majors as long as he has?

5. Absolutely not. He really hasn’t lit the world on fire with his bat, and I didn’t even give him that much credit when he left. He hit a blistering .190 during his brief time with Trenton, and seemingly got the promotion solely because of his spot on the 40-man. That he could have two World Series rings by the end of the year is an absolute shocker.

Which prospects heading to winter ball intrigue you the most? What about those listed with an unusual position, like Laird as an outfielder?

Because I really don’t know all of the names heading to the various winter leagues, I’ll stick to the AFL. The most intriguing, I think, is Craig Heyer. At 24, he was far too old for High-A. Still, he put up some pretty damn good numbers. In 92 innings, Heyer walked an astonishing six hitters and allowed one home run.

He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but it will pretty interesting to see how his arsenal plays against some of baseball’s top talent. He could be a nice addition to the Trenton bullpen next year.

Which players are you most looking forward to seeing play next season? Which departed ones do you imagine you will miss most?

 Of the guys I didn’t see in Double-A last year, I am really looking forward to watching Graham Stoneburner. He is one of my absolute favorite players in the system, and really knocked my socks off when I saw him against Lakewood in early May.

That day, albeit against a very young, swing-happy BlueClaws team, he struck out 11 over seven two-hit innings. He allowed just two outs in the air all day long, and hit 95 miles per hour on his 95th and final pitch of the afternoon. He also displayed a tight slider that he could either bury or drop in for a strike.
He also flat-out dominated in Tampa throughout the rest of the season, and compiled a WHIP under 1.00, as well as a batting average against of just .209. He’s just another of the Yankees power arms, and Brett Marshall’s probably due for a taste of the upper levels toward the end of 2011 as well.

As far as hitters go, Melky Mesa and Brad Suttle are the obvious choices. Mesa, the T-Yanks’ center fielder and the Florida State League Player of the Year, displayed dynamic talent all year long. He placed in the top five in the organization in home runs (19), RBIs (74) and stolen bases (31). He does strike out a bit (129 in 121 games), which could hurt him when the pitching gets better.

As for Suttle, he appears to be fully back from shoulder surgery, and he showed it in the second half. After the All-Star break, Tampa’s third baseman hit a stellar .293/.369/.839 with nine of his 10 bombs. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him break out.

Of the ones who depart, obviously Brackman, because of his skill and because he is a genuinely nice guy. Aside from the obvious, I hope I’ll miss Josh Schmidt. He’s a great kid who has no business pitching another inning in Double-A.

Any plans to go to spring training and scout out the players at the minor league complex?

I sure hope so. I had a great time at spring training this year, but I really didn’t know what I was doing. I had never been there as a journalist or as a fan, and it certainly was an eye-opening experience. Pretty much every minor leaguer from Charleston to Scranton are scattered across four fields, with games and drills going on constantly.

I remember one of your colleagues once telling me that sabermetrics aren’t their choice when it comes to evaluating prospects. Where do you fall on the scout vs sabr spectrum?

When it comes to scouts vs. sabermetrics, I really don’t think you can go with one or the other. Scouts and stats are like peanut butter and jelly: Taken individually, both are good. Together however, they are so much better.

Let’s use Stoneburner as an example: Without seeing him, I could have told you he struck out 137 hitters last season and put up stellar statistics. When you sit behind the plate and really watch, however, you can see the way he places his fastball and the way his slider breaks. Numbers alone simply won’t tell you that.

That said, it’s always better to have more information at your disposal. Give me WHIP, give me FIP, give me WAR, give me WARP, give me VORP, I’ll take it all and use whichever metric I feel is most valid.

As for traditional metrics, let me just say this: Manny Banuelos fanned 85 men in 64 2/3 innings that spanned 15 regular-season starts. His record? 0-4.

Of course, they really don’t keep the really sabermetric stats for the minor leagues, so it’s kind of a moot point.

Biggest thing you learned this season?

I didn’t really learn it this year, but the Thunder’s season really reinforced just how important it is for a team to spend on player development. From David Phelps and D.J. Mitchell and Hector Noesi to Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Andrew Brackman and Adam Warren, the Trenton rotation was a testament to the smart people the Yankees have spanning the globe for top-notch talent

Yes, the unlimited payroll is a pretty big advantage, but without spending some of it on the draft and international free agency, there’s no question the return on the investment would be significantly smaller.

Lastly, any parting words of wisdom for our readers?

Remember, it’s only a game.

******

Many thanks to Josh for taking the time to do this; come back for a playoff preview live chat, eight PM eastern time this evening.

Share on Facebook

Manny Banuelos started for the Trenton Thunder last night. Being as he has had a breakout season after starting the year on the DL because of an appendectomy, I felt it appropriate to take some video.

I believe the hitter in the first video had an infield single, although I was interrupted halfway through the video to, uh, win a promotion (this is what happens when you arrive at a minor league park too early…friends and readers Brent and Mark ended up doing the Dizzy Bat Race!).

The hitter in the second video hits a clean single.

Banuelos had a couple really nasty pitches in there; sat 92ish according to the scouts sitting in front of us (Waterfront Park doesn’t display a gun), and hit 94; however, he threw a ton of pitches and had to leave the game relatively early, after 4.2 innings.

If you want to see photos from the game, you can do so here

(in this one I embarrissingly confess that yes, I am really bad at pitch identification. Part of it is that my eyes are not great, but it’s mostly that I’m just flat-out bad at it)

Share on Facebook

It’s all fun and games, is it?

(Well, no. Go read Mike Ashmore’s piece on life in the minor leagues if you haven’t already. That’s an order.)

Gary Sanchez goes Boom! It’s his first home run in the NYPL, and he still doesn’t turn 18 until December. To put this in perspective, Bryce Harper is older than Gary Sanchez.

Kramer Sneed pitching. I haven’t heard the name, but he pitched quite well–five innings of a seven inning (double-header) game, more strikeouts than innings pitched, just one run on a home run in the first inning.

Share on Facebook

Cito Culver, the Yankees’ 2010 first round draft pick from New York State.

Gary Sanchez, international signee, 2009. He’s just seventeen years old.

View the entire set of photos here.

I will try to have something more substantial for you all mañana.

Share on Facebook

Via River Ave Blues

Jesus Montero, C: 3 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI – 13 for his last 30 (.433) with four doubles & three homers … that’s his third homer in the last four games … was pinch run for in the 8th, when they were down a run

Via @conorfoley: Interesting caught stealing stat: Cervelli – 16% CS, Posada – 17% CS, Austin Romine – 18% CS, Jesus Montero – 24% CS.

Via @bkabak: Since July 1, Jesus Montero is 40 for 106 (.377) with 8 HR and 9 2B.

Via @ledger_yankees Posada was unavailable to pinch hit due to a “cranky shoulder”.

Yeah. It’s time. Call up Jesus.

Share on Facebook

Si usted no puede entender ingles, se puede leer la entrevista en español. Oprima “read the rest of this entry” para hacer eso.  Si hay errores, solamente son mios.

We all love prospects. We all love to follow them when they’re no older than high school students and follow them from the lowest levels all the way up to their professional debuts, so we can say we “knew” them before they were famous. In the era of the internet and instant box scores, it’s now easier than ever to track prospects–and not just the top rated Jesus Montero, but guys such as Ramon Flores and Gary Sanchez, who are multiple years away from seeing the big league roster–if they’re lucky enough to get there.

With that in mind, I was lucky enough to have the chance to interview Jose Peña, a 19 year old right-handed pitcher in his second stint with the DSL Yankees. Peña does not speak English, so the interview was done in Spanish. The original Spanish interview can be found after the jump.  Some of Peña’s Spanish answers have been edited for clarity (as in, internet abbreviations such as ‘k’ becoming ‘que’).

Note:  The translation is my best effort, but in instances in which I am not entirely sure, the phrase is in italics.  If you know where I messed up, drop me a line!  If there are errors in the translation, they are mine and mine alone.

You can view Peña’s stats basic here and his splits here; he reckons he has two more starts this season.

Rebecca: My first question is, can you tell us a little about yourself?  Where were you born?  How did you start to play baseball?

Jose Peña (JP): I was born in Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic.  I started to play baseball when I was seven.

Rebecca: How did you become a pitcher?

JP: One day my friend saw me playing left field and told me that I should go to the mound if I wanted to be professional because I had a good arm.

Rebecca: Not all that different than Mariano…he was a shortstop, but his team needed a pitcher one day, and that was that.  So then, how did the Yankees find you?

JP: One day I thought I was going home and my coach told me that he was going to bring me to the Yankees, who were going to sign me, with God going forward God willing, and I give thanks to God for giving me the opportunity of my life that has been what I’ve always wanted since I was a child.

Rebecca: Can you describe the signing process?  It was the same day as Gary Sanchez, and others, but what was the process like?

JP: I never thought that I could sign that day because the competition was very great and because the other guys were much younger and if I didn’t sign that day it would have been another year outside professional ball and my retirement from baseball.

Rebecca: So you signed late in the day?  What were you thinking when you signed your name with the Yankees?

JP: Yes, I never thought that I was going to sign with the Yankees because I had never gone to their academy.

Rebecca: But someone had to see you!  Do you know who?

JP: That was a day  I was being watched (scouted) by Boston and my boss talked to one of the talent agents scouts of the Yankees to get them to invite me to the academy, and with the luck of God, the day I came went, Mark Newman was there.

Rebecca: If someone’s going to see you, no one better than Newman!

JP: Yes and I thank him for giving me the opportunity to be a professional and some year from now, to be a big leaguer with the Yankees.

Rebecca: So, can you describe a typical day in the Dominican League when it’s a day that you are pitching?

JP: Here in the Dominican league, I’m always concentrating on maintaining my control and pitching strategythrowing strikes.

Rebecca: Sure, but what do you do?  Get up early?  Eat something special, like the players here?  Do you have a routine?

JP: Yes, but I never eat anything before pitching.  I only drink coffee and nothing else.

Rebecca: Hah.  I can’t imagine, but they say that it’s better to exercise before eating.

JP: It’s because, one day I didn’t eat anything until I finished pitching, and I felt better.

Rebecca: Ah, good.  So, can you describe your pitches?  How hard is your fastball?  What else do you throw?

JP: Sometimes my fastball reaches 93; it’s always low and I have various (other) pitches.

Rebecca: Can you give us some more details?

JP: My curve is very good when I have control of it, and the same with my change, but my best pitch is my sinker…it’s a pitch that sinks all the way down and gets many swings in the dirt…Right now, it’s the pitch with which I am dominiating hitters…I feel that that pitch is what is going to make me a great pitcher and with it I can get anyone out, no matter what league.

Rebecca: What do you like to do when you are not playing baseball?

JP: I like to spend time with my family and friends, and maintain my training.

Rebecca: Do you have a large family?

JP: Yes, my mother and my father, and two siblings, a sister and a brother.

Rebecca: Who are your favorite Major Leaguers?

JP: Ubaldo Jimenez and CC Sabathia

Rebecca: Cool, but the other day you told me Andy Pettitte!  Has it changed?

JP: I like Pettitte in tight situations…because he makes it look easy to get out of jams

Rebecca: So, last question:  My friends will kill me if I don’t ask you about Melvin (Croussett).  What can you tell us about the pitcher?

JP: He’s one of the best here in the DSL, and has had the best changeup in the league for four consecutive years.

Nosotros todos les gustamos los jugadores jovenes. A todos nos gusta seguir cuando están antigüedad no mayor a los estudiantes de secundaria y los siguen desde los niveles más bajos todo el camino hasta su debut profesional, así que podemos decir que “sabía” antes de que se hicieron famosos. En la era de Internet, ahora es más fácil que nunca para seguir los prospectos – y no sólo los más valorados como Jesús Montero, pero los hombres como Ramon Flores y Gary Sanchez, que son varios años lejos de ver a las grandes ligas lista – si tiene la suerte de llegar allí.

Con eso en mente, tuve la suerte para hacer una entrevista con Jose Peña, un lanzador derecho de 19 años, en su segundo año con los Yankees de la liga Dominicana. Peña no habla inglés, entonces la entrevista era hiciendo en español.

Se puede ver los numeros de Peña aquí y aquí.

En algunos lugares, las respuestas de Peña han sido modificados para una mayor claridad (k se convierte que, braso se convierte Brazo, etc). Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, envíeme un correo electrónico rebecca.aglass@gmail.com

Rebecca: Mi primer pregunta es que, puedes decir algo de tu fondo?  De dondé nacio?  Cuando y como empezó jugar al beisbol?

Jose Peña (JP): Nací en Monte Cristy (RD) enpese a jugar beisbol a los 7 años

Rebecca: ¿Cómo te conviertes en un lanzador?

JP: Un dia que un amigo me vio jugando LF y me dijo que me subiera a la lomita si queria ser profesional porque tenia buen brazo.
Rebecca: No es muy diferente al mariano…era SS, pero su equipo necesita un lanzador algun dia, y eso que era ..entonces, como los Yankees te encontraron?

JP: Un dia pense irme para mi casa y mi entrenador me dijo k me iba a traer a los yankees que me iban a firmar con dios por delante y gracia le doy a dios por darme la oprtunidad  en mi vida que era lo que siempre me a gustado desde niño

Rebecca:  Y puedes describir el proceso de firmar?  Era el mismo día como Gary Sanchez y otros, pero como era el proceso?

JP: No nunca pense que podria filmar ese dia porque la conpetesia era muy grande  porque los otros muchachos eran mas joven y sino fimava en esos dia seria otro año fuera del profecionalismo y mi retiro del beisbol
Rebecca: Entonces, filmó tarde en el dia?  En que pensaba cuando escribir su nombre con los Yankees?

JP: Si nunca pense que iba a filmar con los yankees por nunca habia venido a la academia de ellos.
Rebecca: Pero, alguien tenia que te ver!  Sabes quien?

JP: Eso susedio un dia que me estaban viendo en boston y mi jefe hablo con uno de los casa talento de los yankees para que me invitaran a la academia…y suerte a dios ese dia que vine estaba Mark Newman
Rebecca: Si alguien te ver, nunca mejor que Newman!

JP: Si y le doy gracias a el por darme la oportunida de ser profesional y en pal de año sere un big leaguer de los yankees
Rebecca: Entonces, puedes describir un día tipico en la liga dominicana cuando es un dia que estas tirando?

JP: Aqui en la liga dominicana siempre estoy consentrado en mantenel el contror del juego y tirarar estrai
Rebecca: Claro, pero que haces?  despiertas temprano?  Comes algo especial, como los jugadores aqui? Tienes una rutina?

JP: Si pero nuca antes de pichar solo tomo cafe y mas nada
Rebecca: Hah.  No puedo imaginar, pero se dice es mejor para ejercicio antes de comer

JP: es que ese dia no como nada hasta que termine  de pichar y asi me siento mejor
Rebecca: Ah bueno.  Entonces, puedes describir sus lanzamientos?  ¿Qué tan rápido es su bola rápida? ¿Qué más lanzar?

JP: A veces mi bola rapida puede alcansar 93, siempre  baja y tengo varios picheos.
Rebecca: Y puedes dar nos mas detalles?

JP: Mi curba  es muybuena cuando tengo contror de ella y igual que mi cambio pero mi mejor picheo ahora mismo es el expli…es un picheo que se unde al piso y se consigue muchos bataso por el suelo…ahora mismo ese es el picheo que estoy dominando los batiadores…si por siento que ese picheo es que me vas a ser grande como picher y con el puedo sacar  a cual quiera de paso no importa la li(ga).
Rebecca: Que te gusta hacer cuando no esta jugando beisbol?

JP: Me gusta compartir con mi familia y mis amigos y mantenerme entrenando.
Rebecca: Tienes familia grande?

JP: Si,  mi madre y mi padre y dos hermanos, una hembra y un baron

Rebecca: Quien son sus jugadores favoritos en los mejores ahora?

JP: Ubaldo Jimenez y CC Sabathia

Rebecca: Bueno, pero el otro dia dijiste Andy Pettitte.  Ha cambiado?

JP: Pettite me gusta en lo momentos de situacion apretada porque lo hace como facil para salir de los problemas

Rebecca: Entonces, la ultima pregunta:  Mis amigos a mi matarán si no te preguntas de Melvin.  Que puedes decirnos del lanzador?

JP: Es unos de los mejores seradores de aqui de la DSL y es el mejor cambio de la liga por cuatro años seguidos

Share on Facebook

When we analyze baseball, we make a lot of leverage and balance. We talk about unsustainable BABIP rates, regression to the mean and, even, in the most basic, unadulterated, non-statistical form, pure karma.

The idea that for every action, a reaction, for every success a failure.

For every success, a failure.

***

People often try to live vicariously through their heroes, be they film stars, musicians, politicians or athletes.

We learn, as baseball fans, at a young age to idolize the likes of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, and Hank Aaron–and to idolize the idea that with a little hard work, anything is possible.

That is, after all, what makes the American spirit.

***

For every success, a failure.

For every Francisco Cervelli, a not-really-elite-prospect that endears himself at the big league level, there’s a Christian Garcia–a world of talent and the short straw in the injury gene lottery.

For every Phil Hughes, an Alan Horne.

For every success, a failure.

***

There are those you never expect to succeed in the first place.

Take the Yanks’ new favorite nemisis in Dallas Braden, for example. If you haven’t done so, read this post, by Joe Posnanski to get at what I’m saying.

If Dallas Braden hadn’t made it to the Major Leagues, as was expected, few would have ever noticed. To most, he would have simply been a name, a line in a box score in some AA or AAA game, a box score you were looking at for someone else–but not for him.

These ones are not the failures–after all, how can one fail when one is never supposed to have succeeded?
****

There are those who might be expected to succeed, but have instead drawn the short straw in the injury lottery.

These ones, like Christian Garcia*, break your heart. They’ve got God-given talent, and no luck where it matters most–their health.

You want these guys to have every chance in the world, but something always happens. When it’s at the Major League level, like Carl Pavano or Ben Sheets or the 2009 Mets, you might, perhaps, end up laughing. After all, these guys have made it, make more throwing a single pitch than you will all year.

When it happens to the prospects, though, you can feel your heart break. After all, you can’t just sleep off an injury and ignore your health–we’re a long way from the days where surgery was so risky you’d be better off writing your will before going under the knife, but it wasn’t so long ago that a broken leg meant a broken career.

It’s too cruel to call this failure. Their bodies fail; not them.

*Garcia penned, through Mike Ashmore, a thank you note to the fans that have stuck by him. You can read it here.

***

There are those like Eric Duncan.

The early–in this case, first–round draft picks of whom much is expected, and, ultimately, little delivered.

Gone from a mainstay in the Down on the Farm mentions over at River Ave Blues to a brief mention in a Spring Training column about Shelley Duncan.

These are the ones where the reality hits you–or, as our friend Andy in Sunny Daytona puts it, “while it’s tough to see your favorite prospects fail, chances are, they will.”

When you realize that they’ve hit their ceiling, that there’s no more going forward, it hits you like a punch in the gut, fast and furious.

You’ll recover, sure, but it will take time if you’re not used to it.

***

It’s different, of course, when one fails though he’s put in every last effort possible, every last BP, extra bullpen session, extra fielding practice, extra coaching, extra whatever…and when one fails because he simply didn’t try, because he let whatever is going on off-field affect him on it.
It’s not easy to make it to the Major Leagues; we all know this and many of us have found out the hard way.

You can have God-given talent, be signed at the age of sixteen, be given all the opportunity in the world, but without a maturity, without the ability to remain confident without being entitled, without the knowledge that luggage needs to be left at the door, it can all go for naught.

Jose Tabata is with the Pirates; Elijah Dukes was released by the Nationals; Angel Villalona (Giants) was arrested in the offseason, charged with manslaughter.

For every success, a failure.

These are the ones that leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

****

Last week, as you likely well know by now, Jesus Montero was benched for not hustling.

At AAA Scranton, he is, perhaps for the first time in his life, struggling with baseball.

He’s 20 years old, the youngest player at that level–so that he’s struggling is to be expected, and, ultimately is not what matters right now.

Given how far he has come at such a young age, it would suggest that Montero’s issue will not be his talent–at least, not at the plate, anyway.

What matters–and kudos for the coaching staff for not just understanding, but enforcing this–is how Montero responds.

A hard taught lesson now, hustling even for a ground out (what if Mark Teixeira hadn’t been hustling from first after Luis Castillo’s pop up last year?) will, we hope, nip the problem in the bud and we can return to our obsession with the #1 prospect in the Yankees’ farm system.

****

For every success, a failure.

No matter how much we want Montero succeed, even if he does, becomes everything Yankee fans could have wanted and then some, there will still be someone who will not.

Baseball is about hope, about that one time out of 100, things really do go your way, but just ask those Cubs fans–you still have to get through the 99 first.

For every success, a failure.

Share on Facebook

(h/t Jonathan Mayo)

Topps and MiLB came out today with their awards for the top players in each of the minor leagues.

The full list can be found here.

For the Yankees, Shelley Duncan of the International League and Austin Romine of the Florida State League took home the honors.

Duncan, a Yankee fan favorite was .277/30/99; Romine was .276/13/72 in what is generally considered to be a pitcher’s league.

Jesus Montero did not make the list, but there are probably a couple of reasons why–his season was split in two leagues, A+ and AA, and he missed the final month with a rather grotesque finger injury.

Still, it’s nice when all aspects of the Yankee organization can do well, as seems to be the case here.

Share on Facebook