Rebecca at TPBP recaps an interesting moment from last night’s game:
There’s one moment from tonight’s game that keeps cropping up in my mind, even a couple hours after it’s over.
It’s in the ninth inning; there are two outs with Carlos Gomez at first in a one run game, and Phil Coke is struggling to throw strikes.
Instead of, say, Jeter and Canó heading out to the mound to calm Phil Coke, it’s Francisco Cervelli and Ramiro Peña.
It was a sight that I certainly noticed, as I am sure many Yankees fans did. Cervelli, Coke, and Pena are some of the lesser fruits of the labor that Brian Cashman has done to rebuild this farm system. Not everyone is destined to be star, nor is a system expected to churn out multiple stars every season. However, being able to fill in the fringes of the roster with homegrown players can be vitally important to the success of the team and the economic bottom line. Players like Cervelli and Pena keep the Yankees from having to run out and make a move to replace injured players or fill in on the bench.
Pena and Cervelli are what they are- very good defensive players who are not going to hit much, but are not overwhelmed at the plate. That was the scouting report on them, and that is what we have seen thus far. I can easily envision these two being members of the Yankees bench for a long time.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
6 Responses to The Kids Are Alright
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
I would also guess Cervelli and Pena might have a better relationship and be more of a calming presence for Coke due to the time the three might have spent together in AA (or earlier). Besides, the last thing you want to see as a rookie pitcher is Derek Jeter himself repeatedly telling you to the throw strikes. That sounds like more pressure to me.
The value of Cervelli aka The Italian Mobster and Pena can not be overstated enough. They’ve been a breath of fresh air. The Mobster has shown an amazing amount of confidence and an ability to call a good game behind the dish, starting with that CC gem in Baltimore. He also isn’t bad at all defensively. He has great speed for a dishminder, and has hit pretty well too. IMO, even after Posada and Molina get back, we should still keep him on the roster.
As for Pena, he’s done everything that’s been asked from him. He’s played every postion he’s been at great for the most part, and has not been half-bad with the bat either. That to me is more than U can hope for from a young sub.
It’s been an absolute pleasire waching them both.
Btw, I was watching the game last night and after Cervelli went out to Coke, a commentator in the chat next to the stream said “Cervelli told him, ‘Hey! Start throwing strikes U *&^% or we both will get sent down, damnit!!!”
Hilarious.
I disagree that the report on Cervelli was, to paraphrase, all glove no bat. His bat is by no means MLB ready, but he could develop into an above average starting MLB catcher.
Disagree. He has zero power. He can be a very good glove and maybe hit .260. That’s about it.
Hey, thanks for the link! =)