Whatever you do, don’t hit a grand slam
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Mar 24, 2009 
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Jesus Montero belted a grand slam against the Pirates on March 14 and was reassigned to the minor-league camp the next day.
Austin Jackson belted a grand slam today and guess what happened? He was reassigned to the minor-league camp as well. Tough team to make, those Yankees.
But if you have to get cut, Jackson found a good way. After driving a 3-2 pitch over the fence in left, he came back to the clubhouse with a big smile and did an interview with the writers. Joe Girardi then sent Reggie Jackson to get him.
Austin went into the office, got the bad news and came back still smiling. He hit .333 this spring with three homers, 10 RBI, a double and a triple. You don’t like that he struck out 12 times, but that part of his game should improve. Pitch selection is rarely a strength for 22-year-olds who grew up playing as much basketball as baseball.
Mr. October loves him and has worked with Austin for several years, visiting his minor-league teams. He also spent some time with him in the cage this spring. “He’s my man,” Reggie said. “I loved seeing that home run.”
Austin welcomes the advice. If Reggie Jackson talks, you listen.
“It’s a good thing. He works with me in the cage and gets me back zoned in to where I need to be at when I’m struggling a little bit,” Austin said. “It’s good to have a Hall of Famer working with you every day. … If I see a pitch I like, he wants me to let it fly.”
The Yankees have worked with Jackson on how he “loads” his body at the plate, which is essentially a transfer of weight forward in his swing and a shift of his body so he can better pick up pitches.
“I have a lot of things I need to accomplish before I get to the next level,” Jackson said. “I need to recognize off-speed pitches better.”
Said Joe Girardi: “I think he was night and day when compared to last year’s camp, the adjustments that he’s made. He has played heads-up baseball. … He and (Brett) Gardner can bring a lot to a club. It’s not offense, offense, offense. They can run the bases and track down balls. It’s an exciting brand of baseball.”
Jackson will likely start the season with AAA Scranton. He’s an exciting player and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in the Bronx in September and competing for a job next season. I’ve had a chance to spend some time talking with Austin and he has a great personality. I’ll be rooting for him to succeed.
· Eduardo Nunez also was reassigned while Juan Miranda was optioned down. The Yankees have 39 players in camp now.
looks like Pena’s chances of making the team is growing.
This team sure misses ARod
NOT!
“I don’t think my job is in jeopardy no matter how bad I do,” Bruney said. “At least I hope not. Unfortunately my numbers don’t look that great, but I’m not concerned with it.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/
I see Bruney has been getting PR lessons from Ian Kennedy LOL
“If Reggie Jackson talks, you listen”
When does Reggie not talk?
Seriously though, Ajax looks as good as everyone’s been saying for the past year or so, and having Reggie mentor him won’t hurt — well, unless he ends up wanting a candy bar named after him
Ajax isn’t a bad name for a candy bar though.
That Teixeria interview made me so giddy
Any quotes from AJ, Pete?
“If Reggie Jackson talks, you listen.”
Reggie couldn’t have said it better himself!
As to the other AJ, he certainly seems to have a great head on his shoulders……and I still remember what his AAA teammates said about him (they love the guy). It’s great that Jackson recognizes things that he has to work on (like recognizing breaking pitches) and is so willing to accept advice. I love how Reggie Jackson is mentoring this kid…
Betsy:
Um, yeah, the two I used in the post.
http://weblogs.newsday.com/spo.....kees/blog/
* A.J. Burnett allowed one run and three hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. He was excited by his first experience in The Rivalry, even if it was a Grapefruit League game. “I heard boos, cheers, it was awesome,” he said. “I can’t wait until the season to get into that.”
Sandman
March 24th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
“If Reggie Jackson talks, you listen”
When does Reggie not talk?
Seriously though, Ajax looks as good as everyone’s been saying for the past year or so, and having Reggie mentor him won’t hurt—well, unless he ends up wanting a candy bar named after him
Ajax isn’t a bad name for a candy bar though.
————————————————————
What more could a 22 year old minor leaguer want? He’s already got a scouring cleanser named after him. The sales and endorsement residuals he’s getting. He’s set for life.
Um Pete, I guess I need to say Burnett now instead of AJ? I guess not, since AJ #2 has now been sent to Minor League camp.
LOL GB……
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4013539
wow…
Betsy
March 24th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
LOL GB……
————————————————————
I guess you can say that he’s really going to clean up.
Pete,
I think she meant Burnett – not Jackson.
If AJack plays well at AAA, Nady can be traded by the AS break.
Uh, no.
Keep Nady.
Don’t get ahead of ourselves with Jackson. He needs at-bats in Triple-A.
Give him a full season down there and see how he handles it.
was at the game, great at bat by A-JAX; I’m excited at the speed he will bring when/if he makes it up the big leagues
One of the Trenton kids to watch this year is right fielder Seth Fortenberry.
GB, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at your joke, but tonight AJackson was the quicker, picker upper……..
I definitely meant Burnett. Is this how far he’s fallen when he’s mistaken for a 22 year old?
everybody see this- it’s crazy. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4013539
Betsy, did u watch Kay/Arod interview?
Betsy
March 24th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
GB, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at your joke, but tonight AJackson was the quicker, picker upper……..
I definitely meant Burnett. Is this how far he’s fallen when he’s mistaken for a 22 year old?
————————————————————
Yeah, Jackson sure hit for the Bounty tonight.
Jose Tabata’s wife is 43? Cougar.
I meant to add a LOL to that comment – didn’t mean it to sound snarky.
I think we need to relegate AJ to Burnett and let Jackson have some catchy name. How about Austin Power?
Benny, I listened to it – he sounded good, nice and relaxed, especially when he laughed about not being liked (that it was only important if his teammates like him and that his daughter loves him). Since I was on the computer at the time, I wasn’t paying that much attention……
LOL that’s cute, M. Maybe Pete got confused because I typed AJ instead of A.J. – but I never type the . anyway…. I’m just busting on Pete – given that his post was about Mr. Jackson, and he probably just skimmed the posts, I can understand the confusion.
This team has a lot of guys getting close to making a big impact.
A-Jax is about a year away, Hughes would be starting on almost any other ML team, Melancon in the pen, about 5 other SP top guns on the way, Montero making his way up…
The present is nice and the future looks even better.
“Loading” has more to do with a bqackward movemnet of the hands to get them a bit of motion and to put them in a strong position to begin the forward movement of the hands. I have spent many dollars on batting instructors for my son (including incidentally Trey Hillman).
Uh, no.
Keep Nady.
___
Why do you want to keep a player who is an average hitter and a below average fielder?
Could we be looking at a potential 2010 outfield of Jeter, Gardner, and A-Jax?
If not 2010 then 2011.
miggs,
I hope randy l doesn’t see your post about impact players in the system. Diatribe alert.
I like Austin Jackson because he’s, I don’t know, humble? He seems to have a really good head on his shoulder and appears to be a sponge as he “learns” how to play baseball. I think we forget that he’s still raw.
I was very impressed by the fact that Cashman has taken personal interest, giving him encouragement after the Trenton championship. Telling him to keep working hard and we’ll see him soon. Also good to see that Jackson bounced back from what seems to be a rough AFL.
It seems as though he’s on the verge of breaking out. Maybe GB7 could help me out on that one.
m
March 24th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
miggs,
I hope randy l doesn’t see your post about impact players in the system. Diatribe alert.
I like Austin Jackson because he’s, I don’t know, humble? He seems to have a really good head on his shoulder and appears to be a sponge as he “learns” how to play baseball. I think we forget that he’s still raw.
I was very impressed by the fact that Cashman has taken personal interest, giving him encouragement after the Trenton championship. Telling him to keep working hard and we’ll see him soon. Also good to see that Jackson bounced back from what seems to be a rough AFL.
It seems as though he’s on the verge of breaking out. Maybe GB7 could help me out on that one.
————————————————————
A. Jackson mention one of the biggest issues he has and that’s recognizing and hitting good brealing balls/off speed pitches. He just hasn’t seen that many quality pitches like that. He also needs to lay off of the shoulder high fast balls. Very few can hit them. He has everything else down cold. If this was a down and out team like the old Devil Rays, Mariners or Washington Nationals, he would have made the team.
hitting good ***breaking*** balls/off speed pitches
To Melky Cabrera:
Please hit a grand slam next game.
Your pal,
Brett
Could we be looking at a potential 2010 outfield of Jeter, Gardner, and A-Jax?
If not 2010 then 2011.
__
Maybe, but it does lack power, so it would surprise me.
Wow, Tabata went even older than me (I was 19 when I met my now wife, then 37).
To Melky Cabrera:
Please hit a grand slam next game.
Your pal,
Brett
===================================
LOL
How about Jose Tabata’s senior-citizen wife stealing a baby? Seriously, what 20-year-old marries a 43-year-old? Glad we got rid of him. This organization has enough off-field problems to worry about with a-rod.
Maybe an older woman helped Tabata grow up. She may not have a long shelf life, but in the here and now, it may work for him.
Pete!
These are the kinds of posts I live for to read. Background on the future up and comers.
I’m rooting for him too!
Wait I forgot about Swisher, so that can’t be the OF.
How about Swisher, Gardner, A Jax?
‘A. Jackson mention one of the biggest issues he has and that’s recognizing and hitting good breaking balls/off speed pitches.’
Yup that’s why he’ll most likely be a damn good Sept. call up, HENCE not to you GB, to the posters that say he’ll play everyday CF this yr. No he won’t, he’ll get a taste of it but most of his developement is still needed in AAA.
‘He just hasn’t seen that many quality pitches like that. He also needs to lay off of the shoulder high fast balls.
Very few can hit them.’
That’s the part of his game that frustrates me, he was trying to drive that 2-2 pitch it was up on his shoulder inside and he swung through it, fouled the next one, MLB pitchers will abuse him on that pitch alone and combine it w/ offspeed to mess w/ his eyes at the plate, which is why AAA is a damn good thing for him.
‘He has everything else down cold. If this was a down and out team like the old Devil Rays, Mariners or Washington Nationals, he would have made the team.’
Yup. He’s the kind of kid I kid you not he may one day past Derek Jeter. He’s that special if he gets it all together.
I think it depends on whether or not they sign Holliday (I can’t see Bay making it to free agency).
Why do you want to keep a player who is an average hitter and a below average fielder?
—————-
Because he’s insurance in case Matsui’s knees can’t handle a full season and to keep Damon’s legs fresh.
There is no point in trading Nady. Having too much depth has never hurt any team.
‘How about Jose Tabata’s senior-citizen wife stealing a baby? Seriously, what 20-year-old marries a 43-year-old? Glad we got rid of him. This organization has enough off-field problems to worry about with a-rod.’
And mind your business about off field events. Srsly you think he’s the only latino player w/ a cougar wife ? Your not from Venezuela so you don’t know how they connected, HENCE NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS !
Tabata is a headcase
Cashman knew that and got rid of him
Ramiro Pena – Speaking of chances of making the big league roster, Ramiro Pena reached on a bunt single and later scored on Tuesday. His batting average is up to .304, **he runs better than Angel Berroa and he plays better defense**. And someone has to be added to the 40-man to fill that utility spot anyway, might as well be Pena. **Listening to Girardi and Cashman on Tuesday, I just can’t help thinking the Yankees are leaning toward the young guy with the good glove rather than the experienced guy with the bigger bat**. Just a gut feeling.
http://community.thetimes-trib.....d-sox.aspx
———-
I knew there had to be a reason why Pena was playing 3B tonight. I really hope Girardi makes the right choice by choosing Pena.
Yeah Brandon, someone’s wife trying to steal another child is no big deal…
GB7
Devil Rays aren’t down & out.
GB7=
Just reread what you wrote, my bad.
Jackson looks like he’s been hitting the weight room heavily this past off-season. He seems to be bigger in the shoulders and arms. Not quite the basketball/greyhound body.
No problem, Buddy. I wrote that rather poorly.
“Srsly you think he’s the only latino player w/ a cougar wife ?”
Hahaha I can just imagine Melky and Robbie out hunting cougars
GB7-
Writing was fine, I should have taken the cue when you had Devil in their name still.
‘Yeah Brandon, someone’s wife trying to steal another child is no big deal…’
No here’s where your getting it wrong, it’s none of your business, It is a big deal but this is about his wife, not him. The woman he married is being suspected not him, so all the sudden it’s guilt by association in this world right ? That’s my beef, it’s it’s him I understand the opinions, but this is not about him. Hence not our business.
The problem with keeping Pena over Berroa is that he’s never played any position but shortstop, including the minors. 2 games in ST with no grounders hit to him isn’t much of an indicator, and he still makes too many errors. He’s also nowhere close to a .300 hitter.
Because he’s insurance in case Matsui’s knees can’t handle a full season and to keep Damon’s legs fresh.
There is no point in trading Nady. Having too much depth has never hurt any team.
___
Isn’t that what Swisher is?
In any case, Swisher is a superior player both offensively (since baseball is about getting base) and defensively, and should start.
Buddy Biancalana
March 25th, 2009 at 12:25 am
GB7-
Writing was fine, I should have taken the cue when you had Devil in their name still.
————————————————————
They’ll always be the Devil Rays to me. Just like The Braves third baseman will always be Larry Jones. Just can’t deal with calling a 36 year old “Chipper”.
Brandon but that’s not the way fans think.
Personally, I don’t think I’m getting into someone else’s business by discussing a serious crime by the wife of a player.
She’s more than twice his age and just kidnapped a baby. I just don’t see how you could get upset by people wanting to talk about it.
I know you love Tabata but I don’t see how you can justify being upset by people discussing it.
And there’s a difference between dating a “cougar” that is 5-10 years older and a teenager marrying a 40 something woman with grown kids. Sorry but that doesn’t seem normal to me.
Austin Jackson reminds me of Soriano.
“Um Pete, I guess I need to say Burnett now instead of AJ?”
If you say AJ in a thread written about Austin Jackson, yes. Otherwise I wouldn’t think so.
“Um Pete, I guess I need to say Burnett now instead of AJ?”
exactly. As soon as Nady gets traded people will complain that the bench stinks.
Remember, the Yanks actually explored trading Nady but didn’t find a deal to their liking. They’re not going to give him away.
They can also revisit it mid-season if they choose to. There is no compelling reason to trade someone like Nady right now unless another team wants to overpay for him.
‘Brandon but that’s not the way fans think.
Personally, I don’t think I’m getting into someone else’s business by discussing a serious crime by the wife of a player.’
That’s where we differ, if you had a family member or close relative doing something stupid do I talk about you ? I mean you must be as bad as them if that were the case No ?
“Austin Jackson reminds me of Soriano.”
Soriano, IIRC, wasn’t even considered to be as good of a prospect as AJax is now. Many scouts considered D’Angelo Jimenez to be a better bet than Soriano.
Tabata grew up dirt poor in a small mountain village and a fairly large family. I suppose the family saw nothing wrong with him marrying someone older that could support him better than they could. If I’m not mistaken, I believe I read that he got his first pair of shoes at about age 12. Not at all uncommon in a lot of countries. Men marry child brides for the same reason.
The only thing I don’t understand is how she obtained a travel Visa to the USA with jail prison record and three felonies, including arson. Somebody in Immigration screwed up.
“Maybe an older woman helped Tabata grow up.”
I like that theory. And then that wasn’t enough of a challenge for her anymore so she wanted to help a wee baby grow up?
(sorry, Brandon, but now that the baby is ok, how can you not laugh at this crazy situation, the details of which *we still don’t even know*??)
“There is no point in trading Nady. Having too much depth has never hurt any team.”
exactly. As soon as Nady gets traded people will complain that the bench stinks.
Remember, the Yanks actually explored trading Nady but didn’t find a deal to their liking. They’re not going to give him away.
They can also revisit it mid-season if they choose to. There is no compelling reason to trade someone like Nady right now unless another team wants to overpay for him.
In any case, Swisher is a superior player both offensively (since baseball is about getting base) and defensively, and should start.
————-
I agree that Swisher should be starting. But the Yanks should keep both because of the uncertainty that Matsui will be able to handle a full season on those knees.
It’s obviously such a big issue that Girardi won’t even allow him to play the field until June.
They have to keep both Swisher and Nady. Besides, Cashman already tried to dangle Nady over the offseason and didn’t get any offers that he thought was worth it.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.....3253988963 Arod interview. Some of it I guess.
But I’m not talking about Tabata, I’m talking about his wife. I don’t think any people have blamed him regarding this incident, either.
People question his judgment and rightly so.
But his wife is the story tonight. No one is saying he kidnapped a child. But he happens to be married to a woman who apparently decided to pull this elaborate scheme and she has a long criminal past.
Either way, its news and people want to talk about it. The story itself is bizarre and quite sad.
I like that theory. And then that wasn’t enough of a challenge for her anymore so she wanted to help a wee baby grow up?
__
When you’re in your early 20s, older woman have a lot of appeal for pretty good reasons. As you move past 35, not so much.
Eventually, Jesus (Montero) will save us.
I love AJAX!
I don’t want to jump on anyone, but this is a big deal. A 2 month old was involved. Thank goodness the baby was returned safely. I hope it turns out to be a big misunderstanding.
Unfortunately, this does affect Tabata. Does he leave the team to tend to personal matters? It seems like he would have to, this is his wife we’re talking about.
If it’s all true and he cuts ties with her, then it doesn’t affect him. But if he stands by her, then he condones her actions. Stealing babies is a big no-no, and usually involves psychological problems. Otherwise you’d have to be one cold *itch to steal another woman’s child.
Hopefully, everything turns out for the best, and Tabata’s career can stay on track. Because judging from his harsh childhood, this kid deserves a good life.
A baby was kidnapped and the thing being talked about is the age difference between Tabata and his wife?
Yes, this is a baseball blog, not a true crime blog or a newborn blog. Absent the connection to the former Yankee prospect, it might not have come up at all.
Hi, I’m Bob Loblaw, and welcome to my law blog; Bob Loblaw’s Law Blog
Now THAT’S funny!
when/if tabata becomes a pirate star, will he start dating madonna?
I have to believe that someone with 4 aliases and a criminal record doesn’t present herself as a PTA mom. I find it hard to imagine that Tabata didn’t have any inkling he married a loser. In addition, Tabata himself was a handful of trouble in Trenton and was suspended twice. You don’t typically read that about kids in the minors. Usually they are trying to do everything right to make it to the big dance.
So one problem child hooked up with an older problem child.
trisha- Someone posted last night that she already has 4 grown children. They are probably older than Tabata. :shocked:
The Yankees need to hold on to all their assets and see how the season plays out. If Matsui, Damon, Nady, Gardner, Cabrera and Swisher can share the three OF spots and DH they will have two solid ballplayers on the bench every day. As bad as the bench has been in recent years you gotta love that possibility.
If the Yankees carry 12 pitchers Molina and the utility infielder TBA settles the 25-man roster. If they carry 11 they have another job to play with. If the starting pitching lives up to billing, 12 pitchers would be too many.
I do not care about Tabata or his wife, why on earth is that being discussed? It’s as bad as the stories on the “madam” and ARod… enough already.
Its good to see some young position players start to make strides. Jackson, Montero, Nunez, Pena. Our system is widely known to be much deeper in pitching than position players,at least in the upper levels. Hopefully, they can sign Holiday next year and could potentially have an outfield of Holiday, Gardner and Jackson. I expect the Red Sox to resign Jason Bay, so I don’t see them in on Holiday.
Great line about Grand Slams.
Please comment on the viability and likelihood of 2010 outfield comprised of Gardner, Jackson and Swisher with Melky as the 4th outfielder. Is that group strong enough to enable the Yankees to pass on Matt Holliday?
I am happy with losing Nady, Damon and Matsui even though I am happy to have had the latter two with the Yankees (Nady is an uncertainty to me). The Yankees get younger, faster and more athletic … but does the offense lose too much (if any at all).
Funny that AJax needs to work on cutting back the ks but we have Reggie in his ear.
We dont need Holliday.
We don’t need power, we need OBP and let A-Rod and Tex drive them in. I would, as many would, be happy with Gardner (if he holds up), A-Jax, and Swish/Damon/etc.
I would love to hear someone sit down Jeter and ask him how he feels about being relegated to Left Field? His defense has not killed us, so i personally see him continuing at SS for the next 2 years, and then more when he resigns.
It’s hard to not think about Austin Jackson as our starting CF right now.
Love the timing of this move. Send your top prospect down on a big time high note with a ton of confidence and hopefully setting him up to have a great year in AAA.
It was a great move with Montero too who was absolutely mashing in his short ML ST and also went out on a high note with a Granny (not a Tabata style “Granny” though).
As for Pena I think he is best served in AAA. His defense is ML ready now, but his bat while good this spring certainly needs some work. He needs regular ABs in AAA. Also Berroa has been equally if not more impressive this spring and deserves that spot.
In regards to the potential Jackson, Gardner, Jeter OF. I can’t see that happening. I mean we could be looking at a 30 HR OF with those 3 guys. Gardner and Jackson while potentially nice options in CF, do not have the bat for the corner OF. Jeter I think could be a nice option in LF. Swisher I think is a guy that will man RF though. He’s paid too much in the upcoming years to be relegated to bench duty. Plus he is a good young player with power, patience, and excellent defense to boot.
defensively, an outfield w/Gardner in left (to compensate for his noodle arm), AJax in center, and Melky (to take advantage of his cannon arm) in right would be ONE SOUND UNIT.
Now, if only Reggie felt the same kinship w/Melky…
PA, if people don’t know simple baseball terms like a “load”, i doubt they would even be reading this blog. you always have to explain or define things and act like these different terms or aspects are super complex, or you have some higher knowledge of baseball. neither are true pal
“He and (Brett) Gardner can bring a lot to a club.”
Notice he didnt say Melky.