Yesterday, we heard that the Yankees are going to move left handed pitching prospect Manny Banuelos to AAA Scranton. I know that many of us, including friend of the blog Tyler Wilkinson are dubbing today “Montero Monday” in honor of Jesus Montero, whom many of us assume will be called up today (or soon). However, depending on the severity of Derek Jeter’s finger injury, we may not see Montero immediately. Regardless, that leaves us to wonder what their roles on the team will be.
Unless the Yankees are very far in front of or very far behind in a playoff race, I assume that Banuelos will not get a start with the big club if/when he is called to the Bronx. Did you feel that? The nervous feeling in your stomach when you hear “Yankees top pitching prospect” and “bullpen” in the same sentence? Yeah, I feel it, too. We’ve been there and done that, and the results haven’t been great (at least from a prospect development stand point). When that happens, there will be a little bit of panic. But, it’s probably what’s going to happen. As long as two conditions are followed, I’ll be okay with it. The first is, obviously, that the move isn’t permanent. I don’t think that’s going to happen, but based on the Joba Experience, I’m wary. Secondly, I hope that the temptation to use Banuelos as a LOOGY is avoided at all costs. Hopefully, he’ll be used for full innings and, at times, multiple innings. There’s definitely value to be had from breaking in pitching prospects via the bullpen, so long as it’s handled correctly.
As for Montero, his role is going to be pretty clear: DH and catcher. What we don’t know is how he’ll be deployed along with Russell Martin and Francisco Cervelli. It is possible that Montero’s presence could drastically alter Francisco Cervelli’s role with the team. Perhaps he stops the back up catcher duties and they make him something of a back up infielder, ready to man third if Eduardo Nunez needs to fill in for Derek Jeter or Robinson Cano. As for Martin, there’s no denying his defensive presence and comfort with the pitching staff. However, it’s hard to overlook his lack of offensive production since April (his wOBAs by month: .423; .321; .242; .272). It’s probable that Jesus Montero could outproduce Martin in the coming days, weeks, and months. How, then, can Joe Girardi balance the playing time?
The easy answer is to reduce the amount of games Martin catches, which is probably smart. Not only does it put Montero’s bat in the order, it will also keep Martin fresh for the stretch run. Of course, we all know that defense isn’t Jesus Montero’s strong point, and that could hurt the team. I’m sure that we’ll see Montero get his fair share of starts at DH as well. We could see him DH against lefties, but Andruw Jones has been doing what he was supposed to against lefties, and I doubt Girardi wants to upset that. Perhaps to keep a balance going–get Montero at bats and give him reps at catcher–we could see Martin catch against righties with Jorge Posada DHing (unless he continues to “hit” himself out of that role) with Montero as the back up, then see Montero do the catching against left handed pitching while Jones DHs. How do you think they should use Montero? Banuelos?
Regardless of how they–or any other prospects–are used, it will be exciting to see them in the Bronx. Hopefully, they can have some successful (tasty?) cups of coffee before joining the team in earnest in the future.
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6 Responses to Musing on Manny, Montero, and their roles
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TIQ IQ
I’m still confused here. Considering that Jeter is listed as “day-to-day” what else has changed(until we get to September that is) that would lead to a Montero call up?
Mike Ashmore, who reports on the Trenton team and has followed it closely, has a post up today that sharply questions the wisdom of promoting Banuelos at this point. Put simply, Banuelos’ performance this year does not justify the move — he lacks command of his pitches and seems to have regressed this season. He is very uneconomical with his pitches, too. None of this is surprising for a 20-year-old pitcher, but it argues for keeping him in AA. I continue to puzzle over how the Yankee organization (mis)manages its young pitchers.
I certainly would NOT support moving Banuelos into the bullpen in the Bronx at any point this season. Relief pitchers need command of their stuff, and Manny just hasn’t shown it. And that’s leaving aside whether a move to the bullpen holds long-term risks for the kid’s health.
All due respect to Ashmore, who’s a terrific journalist and has certainly seen Banuelos pitch way more than anyone on this site, but if the Yankees do decide to promote him to the Bigs — which, despite rampant speculation these last 24 hours, is far from a certainty — then I think it’s the right call.
Given the hit-or-miss nature of pitching prospects, at this point I’d rather buck conventional wisdom, roll, the dice and see what happens. If the team feels he’s ready for the Majors come September despite a decidedly non-standout 2011 in the minors, then so be it.
I’m sure no one wants to see Banuelos come out of the ‘pen lest he turn into Joba Redux, but even if they did opt to indoctrinate him into the bigs out of the bullpen I can’t imagine that even the Yankees are dumb enough to squander a lefty with the potential of Banuelos by sentencing him to life as a reliever, Joba-style.
I am not worried that the Yankess will reduce Banuelos to a bullpen role long term. My main concern is that he has not shown the command at AA to justify a promotion to Scranton, much less the Bronx. Why the rush? To prove that the Yankees have top-flight pitching knocking on the door, and thus justify making no move at the deadline? Ashmore’s post is filled with numbers that demonstrate just as poorly Manny has pitched the past couple of months, too, so it is not just based on the eye test.
maybe cuz they wan montero to get used to having banuelos as one of his partner….. in that case…. betances might be up too soonish……
I just hope he doesn’t strike someone out and then pump his fist. If he does he will immediately be labled a pitcher with “bullpen mentality”. God forbid he throws 97 in the pen, and then we start hear how “his stuff plays up in the pen”.
I don’t like it at all. Maybe I wouldn’t be so against it if our history in this area was better, but either way I’m not a fan.