Each year, USA Today creates a list of minor leaguers/rookies that all baseball fans should know and watch for in 2010. This is not a top prospect list, but is a list of the 100 players most likely to reach the majors for more than a cup of coffee, and make some sort of impact. Last year’s list included Brett Gardner, Austin Jackson, and David Robertson, with Gardner and Robertson scoring regular roles on the 2009 Yankees. This year’s list includes 2 former Yankees (Jackson and Jose Tabata), and 4 current Yankees:
52. Mark Melancon, RHP, Yankees: Next in line to continue the run of success the Yankees had last season with young pitchers setting up in front of closer Mariano Rivera, Melancon, 24, should fill one of the openings. He’s a hard thrower with a sharp-breaking curve. Groomed as a reliever since turning pro in 2006, he has bounced back well from missing 2007 after Tommy John elbow surgery.
56. Zach McAllister, RHP, Yankees: He’s a sinkerballer who induces plenty of ground balls and can pitch himself into the mix as a 22-year-old this spring. Major league bullpen work is a possibility, but McAllister would be among the first to be considered if there’s a need for a major league starter. His chances would improve if the Yankees decide to keep Phil Hughes in the bullpen.
58. Jamie Hoffmann, OF, Yankees: Hoffman, 25, is a strong defender who can play all three outfield positions, has plenty of speed and is a consistent contact hitter. That’s why the Yankees believe he someday will be an everyday player. In the meantime, Hoffman must be good enough to make the roster because he was a Rule 5 draft selection from the Dodgers and must be offered back to Los Angeles before he can be sent to the minors.
66. Jesus Montero, C, Yankees: His power is his biggest asset, but the fact that he’s a catcher and there’s no other obvious successor to Jorge Posada could have Montero, just 20, in the major leagues this season. Barring an emergency, his initial stay won’t be long because he has had only a half-season at Class AA and needs to continue developing his defensive game.
I am assuming that Ramiro Pena and Frankie Cervelli do not qualify, as both have an excellent chance to play roles on the 2010 club. I would be surprised if any of the four listed above make the club out of spring training, which would likely mean that Hoffmann will be returned to the Dodgers. Furthermore, I do not think it is likely that we see Zach McCallister at all this season, as he is at best 9th on the starting pitching depth chart and still has room for improvement at the AAA level. Montero seems to be a longshot as well, but a major injury to Jorge Posada or a late season loss of Nick Johnson could press him into MLB duty. It is unlikely, but possible, as the Yankees will certainly be tempted to use Montero for his bat should those players go down. Finally, I think Melancon has the best chance of the four to stick with the Yankees for much of the season, as he could nab the last bullpen spot out of camp and has the talent to hold onto a spot once he is given the chance.
What do you think of this list? Are there other minor leaguers that you think can have an impact on the 2010 Yankees? How about Romulo Sanchez? Ivan Nova? Kevin Russo?
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19 Responses to Which Minor Leaguers Will Impact The Yankees in 2010?
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TIQ IQ
We’ve been talking about Montero for so long that I forget he’s only 20. Do you think he’ll see any decent stretch of time at AAA this year? My parents live about 20 minutes from the ballpark in Scranton so I’d love to get over there and see him play if he’s around when I’m in town.
I’d be surprised if Z-Mac made more than 2 starts for the big club. I don’t expect him to relieve, either. 2011 will see Z-Mac with more playing time, though I have a hunch that he’ll be traded by then. Melancon should be the first guy called up (unless he makes the 25-man, which I don’t expect), and Russo has a good chance to make something happen on a limited basis. He’s a fairly decent hitter (no power) and his defense is good enough to be a utility guy. Pena has the upper hand because he’s a slicker fielder, particularly at SS.
Again, like Z-Mac, Nova remains a possibility to get a few starts (as historically teams run through 7-8 starters per year) but I don’t see him doing a whole lot this year. He’ll play in September, maybe make an emergency start. My wild card: Romulo will be called up as a reliever at some point this season and he’s going to struggle with control but they’ll fall in love with his fastball.
Montero comes up in September, does alright (not great or terrible) and is not on the playoff roster. He needs to focus on defense in AAA.
/crazy predictions
I agree on Romulo, which is why I included his name at the end. Same with Russo.
Do you remember ANYONE picking Pena to sniff a jock in the big leagues last year? I don’t. There must be one guy that comes out of nowhere, right? Not sure Romulo qualifies as “coming from nowhere,” but the OF should be locked up with Swish, Grandy, Gardner, Winn, Thames, so I don’t really see anyone from the farm emerging there.
The IF is what, Corona (not enough bat, glove good but not great), Pena (may not be able to muster a .300 OBP), Russo and Miranda? Russo, on paper, makes the most sense to emerge, but I get the feeling they like Pena’s defensive versatility over the bat of Russo.
Miranda could be an interesting candidate. I’m not saying he could be in line for a Morales-like breakout, but he was, for the first time in his professional U.S. career, good against lefties and righties. It’s probably a fluke but Nick Johnson is injury-prone; he could make some big noise. My guess is he’s just a platoon player and not much ever really develops for him. If he starts hitting lefties in the first half of 2010, maybe they put him in a trade package.
Anyway, I think ultimately, Romulo just makes the most sense. Rotation depth is more established in Gaudin, Mitre, Hughes, Nova, Z-Mac, with Hughes, Gaudin and Mitre the most likely to take an spot starts. Nova and Z-Mac just can’t have that much impact unless something crazy happens.
Bullpens, however, are volatile. They might trade or DFA Mitre. Melancon may struggle with control again. One thing Sanchez has is big strikeout capability, maybe more so than anyone else in the upper minors and most guys currently in the ‘pen. A guy in AAA with a 99 mph fastball has to be considered a dark horse favorite for emergence.
/redundant’d
I agree with everything said. Romulo does make sense, and having a huge fastball could be useful in certain situations. I think he may be up and down, but I agree that he will play some sort of a role. The outfield is a log jam, and not a great one at that. I think Z-Mac gets dealt to improve the outfield at some point.
Miranda is never going to amount to anything IMO. He has about a 1% chance of become Morales.
Also, do we really have to do the “/redundant” thing here now all the time too? It’s bad enough that RAB is littered with that crap.
Which Steve are you? There are about 15 on here. You guys need to come up with Steve dopplegangers or something to help the rest of us more easily identify you. Or maybe an astrological sign. How does “Libra Steve” sound?
/it was I who peed in your cereal this morning. (But seriously, that was the last backslash. Promise.)
LOL, I like the “Libra Steve” comment. There are a hell of a lot of Steves on this site. I do have to agree with the comments on all the backslashes though, lol.
Color me skeptical on Romulo.
If Montero carries the same offensive numbers in 2010 as he has previously, I can seem him being added to the 25 man roster in late August- irrespective of any injury to Posada or NJ or development of his defensive skills- for use as a possible pinch hitter, platoon DH and 3rd catcher in the playoffs.
I could see that, but only in late August, as you said, so that he does not lose much development time.
The hard thing with Montero is that they need him in the minors more then in the majors. Posada will get most of the catcher reps, with Cervelli filling in. Montero needs to develop his skills, and although the bat may play now, it makes little sense to bring him up only to have him sit. Even if he carries the numbers, it makes zero sense to bring him up unless A. Nick Johnson gets knocked out for the year (which may happen) or B. The minor league season runs out. Choice A would simply delay his development. Choice B I believe is a given, provided he continues to hit.
The minor league season runs out on Labor Day. If Montero were called up then, he would be ineligible for the playoffs unless there were someone on the 60- day DL at a position he plays.That’s why you would call him up, assuming you think his bat would be helpful, in the last week in August so he would have the benefit of virtually a full season behind the plate while allowing him to be part of the team in the playoffs.
That’s fair I guess. I just think there is an unfair pressure being put on this kid. He is 20. Remember that. There is a good chance he doesn’t produce in his first full year even.
Just wondering along here but, anyone think the Yankees will start doing with Posada and Cervelli what they did with Joe and Posada? Trying to remember how it went, Joe played 2 of 3 games as catcher (1st full year) the first half of the year then they went to a half and half…didn’t they? There seems to be an opportunity for Cervelli to get more games this year, if…he can keep his bat going as he did last year.
Cervelli doesn’t have a bat nearly capable of what Posada did. Cervelli will play the role of Molina last year. Maybe he becomes Burnett’s caddy, but I doubt he gets into a rotation ala Posada/Girardi.
Molina—BA .217/OBP .292/ Slg .268
Cervelli—BA .298/ OBP .309/ Slg .372
I don’t expect him to get more then 60 games (-/+) this year. Next year will be the time for him to step in at maybe 1/2 the games. Even with Montero in the wings, we still need a good defensive catcher and Cervelli is it…for now.
I think Posada needs more rest, he still runs down toward the end of the year. That keeps his bat healthy for the play-offs
Add: Wilkins De La Rosa (Once the Yankees discover that Boone Logan needs a new career)
Ohhh…a lefty. Yeah, co-sign on this. Forgot about WDLR, though I think his lack of control will delay him until next year. He’s definitely a candidate.
Good call.