Our daily minor league recaps were delayed by Easter and Passover, but some very interesting things happened in the minors this week.
Starting Pitching Excels
All around the minors, Yankee starting pitching dominated. Ian Kennedy struck out 11 in 6 innings without walking a batter… but still lost. Dellin Betances struck out 6 and walked 2 in his one-run debut for Tampa. Between Manuel Banuelos, D.J. Mitchell, and David Phelps, Charleston gave up one earned run and no walks.
Even the Yankee starters with less than optimal starts looked good. Phil Hughes gave up three runs in six innings, but also managed a 6/2 K/BB ratio. Andrew Brackman gave up 5 runs in 5 innings, but also punched out five batters and walked just three. Jeremy Bleich allowed 8 baserunners in 4 2/3 innings, but still struck out 4 batters. Yankee starting pitching is looking good.
Mark Melancon Dominates
Mark Melancon got cut from the big league camp earlier than expected. He claimed that he was fighting just to make his pitches. Melancon has pitched in 2 games and retired all 11 batters that he was faced. Seven of those fourteen batters were right-handed hitters. He struck every single one out. Any other team in the majors would promote Mark Melancon right now. He’s already done the Triple-A thing. Now he’s just showing off.
Juan Miranda Explodes
Cuban 1st Baseman Juan Miranda is stuck in a tough situation, with Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira filling out 1st base for the Yankees. He is now playing for a trade. The Yankees may find a partner if he keeps hitting like he is now. Miranda was the International League’s player of the week after hitting .474/.524/.895, with 2 home runs, 2 doubles, and 11 RBIs in four games. Austin Jackson isn’t far behind, hitting .471/.524/.588.
Garrison Lassiter Plays Third
The Yankees pulled the raw toolsy shortstop Garrison Lassiter away from college with a six-figure bonus once they found out that two of their top three picks would not sign. He impressed in camp enough to be sent to Single-A Charleston instead of being held back to extended spring training. However, Lassiter ran into a problem with Carmen Angelini, a similar signing from the 2007 draft, also playing short for Charleston. Instead of alternating them at the position, Lassiter has settled in at 3rd base, while Angelini is leading off and playing shortstop. Like all other Yankee 3rd base prospects, he’ll likely find another position in the near future.
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6 Responses to Minor League Notes: Things We Learned In The First Week
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TIQ IQ
Melancon will be with the big club before May is out, and I wouldnt be shocked to see AJax earlier than expected as well.
David Robertson came in for 2 innings, and struck out 5 batters. He has recorded 8 strikeouts in 4 innings so far this year.
Austin Jackson has 3 more singles already. He should get more more at bat. His BA is above .500, but he has only one Xbase hit, a triple.
Holy crap, Robertson stayed in for another inning, and struck out 2 more.
He’s a beast.
He’s a classic guy who has nothing left to learn in the minors. i think he latches on with the club some time in the summer and stays in the Yankee pen for a very long time.
I don’t know who he or Melancon displaces.
A few candidates- Coke if he continues to struggle, Veras if he keeps walking people, Edwar if Girardi continues to avoid using him.