Lots yet to happen.

Ortiz was signed in ’04 at age 19 but didn’t play until ’05, played ’05 and ’06 in DSL. A kid like this in the US would still be in HS or can go to college. Expecting young uneducated Latin kids to enter the US minors system at that point is a lot to ask. Perhaps there is some exemption I’m unaware of, since so many decent prospects signed young spend multiple seasons in their home leagues, but I’m not aware of such.

Good point though Stu. I too have been impressed with his performance yet never see him mentioned. His numbers are comparable to De La Rosa’s – together they anchored Charleston’s pen until DLR was promoted and converted to starting.

I can see him starting next year at High A Tampa and moving quickly thru the organization … it is funny how no one ever mentions this kid.

De La Rosa with his late conversion to pitching, Hacker with almost no action prior to 2007 due to injuries. Hacker threw less than 100 innings from 2003 through 2006 – none in ’04 or ’06 – despite being a starter the whole time. Perhaps a good sign for possible rebounds for Horne and Garcia, the latter throwing only just over 100 innings in last 3 seasons.

Rule 5 protection is gonna be a sticky thing – lots of good pitchers that could be taken, particularly relievers. Just not enough roster spots. But hopefully most will have to be taken in the majors phase, where they may have to be returned. Cox, Jackson, Kroenke, Whelan, Dunn, Claggett are all eligible – and relievers are an easier target to hang on to. It’s this glut that keeps Melancon off the 40 – he’s not eligible for the draft this year, so he won’t hit the 40 until he hits NY or after ’09.

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p?c_id=nyy

De La Rosa is one of the most intriguing guys in the organization. Glad to see him protected.