Arizona Fall League begins
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 13, 2009 
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It’s hardly a footnote to the American League Championship Series, but it’s worth mentioning that the Arizona Fall League begins today.
The Yankees have Ian Kennedy, Mike Dunn, Zach Kroenke, Grant Duff, Colin Curtis, Brandon Laird and Austin Romine playing for the Surprise Raftors. You already know Kennedy and New York got to see a little bit of Dunn during a September call-up.
Kroenke is a lefty reliever who was named Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Pitcher if the Year this season, Duff is one of the hardest throwing right handers in the organization, Curtis is a toolsy outfielder, Laird is a power hitting corner infielder and Romine is one of the team’s top prospects, a fine defensive catcher with pop.
It’s an interesting group with some guys who could have a big league impact next year — Phil Hughes played in the Fall League last year — so it’s worth a glance or two, if you can pull yourself away from the playoffs.
Do u guys think romine is that good?
Thanks Chad. I followed Hughes’ progress last year in the AFL. FYI, you can follow it @MiLB.com.
Last year I was really close to making a trip down to AZ to check it out. This year when my buddy (who lives down there) asked if I wanted to go, I told him I was “too locked in” to the playoffs to make it. Funny what can change in a year’s time.
If there is a rain out friday do we lose a travel day therefore effecting the three man rotation?
CHAD!
I’m so glad you have a farm system background. Please continue to initiate minor league chatter, that would be huge for the blog.
I’m very excited to see how Laird fairs against AFL competition, and I’m hoping that Ian Kennedy can continue to get back on track.
How hard does Duff throw exactly? I’ve heard varying reports…
“Do u guys think romine is that good?”
Player of the year in the Florida State League. He had solid offensive numbers in what, I believe, is a pitcher’s league. After Montero got promoted he caught everyday, which is huge for a guy his age. Does he hit like Jesus? No. But I think he definitely projects to being a starting-caliber big league catcher…. which is pretty valuable.
Here’s the AFL homepage:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/.....league=afl
Last year’s AFL was pretty interesting. The NYY had Hughes, AJax, Miranda and super-sub in training Kevin Russo playing. Including Hughes, the league had 3 top young pitchers: Max Scherzer (DBacks),and Tommy Hanson (Braves).Bucholz was there too. You can follow all the winter leagues from the MiLB.com website. Bleich & Brackman (Romine too I think) played in Hawaii and IPK was in the Puerto Rican Winter League. Good stuff, especially in the dead of winter for us baseball starved fans in snow country!
And the gameday. Tied at 1, Laird with the RBI
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday.....n_perwin_1
Is Austin Jackson playing in any Fall/Winter league this year? And what is your opinion of him Chad? Do you think he has what it takes to be a star in the future?
Go Yankees!
I was a bit apprehensive when Pete Abe walked but I got to be honest, you guys have gone above and beyond and deserve a BRAVO for your enormous work ethic. Keep up the good work! I live in Vegas and I have been a devout Yankee fan all my 60 years and this Blog is the first thing I use to kkeep up with all the breaking news!!!!!!
I don’t know if anyone noticed but if you go to tvguide.com and check the listing for Monday Oct 19, it has ALCS Game 3 Yankees @ Angels listed at 4PM with new episodes of House and Lie to Me at 8PM and 9PM respectively. It also has NLCS Game 4 listed at 8PM with MLB On Deck at 7:30PM on TBS. Can anyone confirm this?
Sam, Chad and Josh, is there any news yet?
What’s up with Montero? I thought he was going to play in one of the winter leagues.
Shawn, FWIW, I have read AJax is taking the winter off, since he played pretty much straight through from 2008.
Montero is playing winter ball down in Venezuela.
From the last thread:
CC is certainly capable of pitching badly in the ALCS, but the hand-wringing over his previous starts against the Angels should really stop. The most recent start was a full three months ago and the one before that was 4 1/2 months ago. I really don’t think how he pitched against them in a regular season outing several months ago has much to do with how he’s likely to perform in a critical playoff spot now.
Another way to look at it is this: CC’s ERA against the Angels this year is over 6. His ERA for the entire season in is the low 3s. Granted, the Angels are a fine-hitting ballclub, but do you really think they are TWICE as strong offensively as the rest of the teams CC faced this year? I don’t think so. The 6+ ERA CC put up against the LAAA simply cannot represent the Angels’ true level of talent. Otherwise, they would have been so good, they would have scored 2000 runs this year. Unless someone can identify some specific peculiarity in CC’s game that Angels hitters are uniquely equipped to capitalize on, you have to figure their success against CC this year is just due to plain luck.
Jackson isn’t eligible for the AFL. He played last year. He may end up going to the Fall Instructional League, though. Montero willplay in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Thanks NYYROC!
bases loaded & no outs with romine due up soon
Can anyone confirm this?
——————————–
Yes, Francesa said that game 3 is a 4:00 game. He was going to do his show in Cali but was surprised to hear it was a day game.
cancel that ike davis just hit a gs
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/.....league=car
Here’s the Caribbean league page. You have to sift through the rosters to find the various Yankee players I think. GB7, is that right?
The Chargers are playing MNF that night. Per policy, the leagues try not to have one market compete against itself.
so funny
francessa earlier picking his nose
he didnt know he was back from commercial
m
October 13th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/…..league=car
Here’s the Caribbean league page. You have to sift through the rosters to find the various Yankee players I think. GB7, is that right?
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You’re correct, Mel. I’ll find a link for te Yankee players in the different leagues with their daily stats when they start putting them up in the next few weeks.
This blog stinks now. Stop reading. Look how ugly Sam Borden’s picture is. Remove it. It’s offensive.
TVguide is showing Game 3 Monday at 4pm (EST). Game 4 is Tuesday 7:30
Here’s a link that you can save in favorites and refresh every day with all Yankee players. You can also track the games in progress.
Hope it helps, kids.
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/
Why isn’t anyone talking about anything interesting on the one day I am insanely bored at work??
Fan
October 13th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
This blog stinks now. Stop reading. Look how ugly Sam Borden’s picture is. Remove it. It’s offensive.
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go away pete u cant have yer job back
Kennedy after 3 innings is 3inngs, 2 hits, 1 run (earned), 0 walks, 3 strikeouts.
Romine is 0-2, Laird is 2-2 with an RBI. Curtis is 1-2. He and Laird have bot singled to lead off top of the 4th inning.
Prediction!
Chad will shine for this blog come Spring Training.
Interesting that the game starts at 4:00 on Monday. Definitely going to have to see if I can cut out of work early.
Erin
October 13th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Interesting that the game starts at 4:00 on Monday. Definitely going to have to see if I can cut out of work early.
***
I took Monday off. So excited. Its my first vacation day since the Friday before Labor Day debacle.
Scioscia said the Angels might go with a 4 man rotation instead of 3. He said that he would rather a team see 4 different pitchers instead of seeing lets say Lackey 3 times. He said the pitcher has a big disadvantage when batters get to see him for say 9-12 at bats in a series. It’s true but I guess it depends how good your number 1 starter is.
74 hours and 54 minutes until Game 1!!!!!!
Erica, that was good planning on your part! Or did it just happen to work out that way?
i couldnt believe during the winter hot stove this blog was jumping
the fact that it is like a real time chat room is why it is so great
….guess it depends how good your number 1
Or another way to look at it – is Saunders that close in ability to Lackey?
Erin
October 13th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Erica, that was good planning on your part! Or did it just happen to work out that way?
****
It happened to work out that way. I wanted to take off the first opporunity I would be allowed to again.
The last time I took a vacation day one of the partners in my office freaked out because “I could have been needed”. Mind you- I never, ever work for this person. But still… I could have been needed.
So I was completely unallowed to take off since
I think I just got a comp ticket to Game Three in Anaheim, does that qualify as interesting?
Nick in SF
October 13th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I think I just got a comp ticket to Game Three in Anaheim, does that qualify as interesting?
*****
Yes. And it makes me jealous
Erica – always OPPC
October 13th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Erin
October 13th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Erica, that was good planning on your part! Or did it just happen to work out that way?
****
It happened to work out that way. I wanted to take off the first opporunity I would be allowed to again.
The last time I took a vacation day one of the partners in my office freaked out because “I could have been needed”. Mind you- I never, ever work for this person. But still… I could have been needed.
So I was completely unallowed to take off since
***********
Well, I hope the Yankees win so you can really enjoy your day off!!
“Scioscia said the Angels might go with a 4 man rotation instead of 3. He said that he would rather a team see 4 different pitchers instead of seeing lets say Lackey 3 times. He said the pitcher has a big disadvantage when batters get to see him for say 9-12 at bats in a series. It’s true but I guess it depends how good your number 1 starter is.”
The Yankee hitters may see a pitcher 9-12 times in 2 games. Look at how many times Jeter/Damon/Tex/A-Rod get 5 AB’s in a game.
Josh Schmidt was in the mix this season, no? Nice debut. 5 innings of 1-hit ball. How did we get him?
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb
Nick, you know what that means…
Late night Hodori stop.
I’m particularly interested in Kennedy, Romine and Laird and will definitely be following their progress. I really like what I’ve heard about Romine – most people love Montero, but for some reason I like Romine. It just sounds like he’s a good baseball player…..
Ugh, my buddy just sent a follow-up email saying “BTW, no Yankee gear, I want to enjoy the game.”
Does that constitute an ethical dilemma? A Faustian bargain?
Scioscia said the Angels might go with a 4 man rotation instead of 3. He said that he would rather a team see 4 different pitchers instead of seeing lets say Lackey 3 times. He said the pitcher has a big disadvantage when batters get to see him for say 9-12 at bats in a series. It’s true but I guess it depends how good your number 1 starter is.
———————————————————
i dont know if i agree
what happens if lackey pitches 2 bad games?
isnt he due for a good one?
“go away pete u cant have yer job back”
You took my joke.
LOL
Zach: I can’t think of a better place to celebrate a Yankee win (or get over a Yankee loss). Good call.
betsy
October 13th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
I’m particularly interested in Kennedy, Romine and Laird and will definitely be following their progress. I really like what I’ve heard about Romine – most people love Montero, but for some reason I like Romine. It just sounds like he’s a good baseball player…..
————————————————————
Romine is a very athletic kid. He hits for average, power and has really good speed. I think that he ends up moving to a corner outfield spot eventually. He has a right fielder’s arm, but, with his footspeed, he’d be just fine in YS’s big left field.
Nick in SF
October 13th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Ugh, my buddy just sent a follow-up email saying “BTW, no Yankee gear, I want to enjoy the game.”
Does that constitute an ethical dilemma? A Faustian bargain?
****
Just wear a navy pinstriped suit
Nick, I’d go the completely immature route and just yell “Go Yankees!” every 30 seconds.
Erin
October 13th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Well, I hope the Yankees win so you can really enjoy your day off!!
***
Thanks Erin. Me too. But as long as I get to sleep late and have quality “me” time, being able to see the Yankees is just icing on the cake
Nick in SF
October 13th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Ugh, my buddy just sent a follow-up email saying “BTW, no Yankee gear, I want to enjoy the game.”
Does that constitute an ethical dilemma? A Faustian bargain?
____________________________________________________________
Tell him no deal. Its a playoff game. You have to represent your team! Plus, it is fun to wear Yankee shirts in opposing parks ( IMO).
If he’s really really against it, at least wear your yankee gear underneath something else.
Oh Nick-
I have a better idea. Tell your buddy to bring me!!!
Erica – always OPPC October 13th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Thanks Erin. Me too. But as long as I get to sleep late and have quality “me” time, being able to see the Yankees is just icing on the cake
*******
Sounds like the perfect day to me
Colorado minimum wage to drop as living costs fall
lmfo
3 cents
lmfao
Laird has added a 2 run single to his totals (Romine walked and scored). Laird is 3-3 with 3 RBI.
what happens if lackey pitches 2 bad games?
isnt he due for a good one?
————————————-
You would think so. But 3 days rest is always tricky for a pitcher. You really have no idea how they will perform. Especially one like Lackey who had arm problems all season. That is probably the reason that he won’t ask him to do it, not the match up stuff.
I’m not sure how hard a line I can take on the Yankee gear, but I can definitely wear Yankee colors. And bring my hat, in case my buddy relents.
The people in the immediate vicinity will figure it out soon enough anyway, it’s not like I’d be able to sit on my hands the whole time…
LOL at Michael Kay – he doesn’t think the Yankees are bringing back Damon, Matsui and even Andy (if Andy asks for a ton of $$)
Nick
Pinstripe boxers are the answer.
I believe m says dennis has some so he can tell you where you can buy them if you don’t have any of your own.
GB, do you think the Yankees will convert him? They are sorely lacking in young OFers and are well stocked at catcher…if they intend to do that, shouldn’t they do that now, while he’s still very young?
I have had enough pretending to work. Running for the door. Catch you all later!
betsy
October 13th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
LOL at Michael Kay – he doesn’t think the Yankees are bringing back Damon, Matsui and even Andy (if Andy asks for a ton of $$)
____________________________________________________________
Ok, I may be a bit biased here, but seriously, if they don’t bring back Andy, who else is going in the rotation? Wang isn’t even an option until at least July right?
Erica – always OPPC October 13th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Nick in SF
October 13th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Ugh, my buddy just sent a follow-up email saying “BTW, no Yankee gear, I want to enjoy the game.”
Does that constitute an ethical dilemma? A Faustian bargain?
****
Just wear a navy pinstriped suit
————————————————————
Dress like this gentleman.
http://19.media.tumblr.com/NhX.....o1_500.jpg
betsy
October 13th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
GB, do you think the Yankees will convert him? They are sorely lacking in young OFers and are well stocked at catcher…if they intend to do that, shouldn’t they do that now, while he’s still very young?
————————————————————
Yeah, I really do, Betsy. Like you said, NYY has a lot of really good looking young catchers. People forget about the young catcher just drafted this year, John Farnham. He hit really well and is a good defensive catcher, played some in Charleston after getting drafted.
Romine would be ok as a ctcher, but, playing a corner outfield spot would allow the Yanks to use him as a third catcher, too. PAT M thinks he’d also make a good corner infielder. Laird is a third baseman/first baseman. That’s a lot of versatility, and I love that.
100 pitches of fun…
October 13th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
what happens if lackey pitches 2 bad games?
isnt he due for a good one?
————————————-
You would think so. But 3 days rest is always tricky for a pitcher. You really have no idea how they will perform. Especially one like Lackey who had arm problems all season. That is probably the reason that he won’t ask him to do it, not the match up stuff.
———————————————————–
how is it 3 games rest
1 friday
2 sat
off sunday
3 monday
4 tues
off wed
5 thurs
fri off
6 sat
7 sunday
cc would go fri,tues,sunday.
game 4 would be on 4 days rest,game 7 on normal 5
betsy
October 13th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
LOL at Michael Kay – he doesn’t think the Yankees are bringing back Damon, Matsui and even Andy (if Andy asks for a ton of $$)
———————————
I think Andy is almost a lock to come back on a 1 year deal especially after Wang’s injury. They need a number 3 type starter. Next year rotatation will probably be
SP- Sabathia
SP- Burnett
SP- Pettitte
SP- Chamberlain
SP- Hughes
It’s L.A., everbody’s from somewhere else. When the Red Sox are in town, they have more fans than the Angels and they sure wear their gear.
Andy will likely come back if the Yankees win it all, if not he may just retire.
It’s still up in the air as far as Matsui and Damon are concerned. I think Matsui is more likely to come back than Damon is.
They may get rid of both of them and bring Abreu back on a 2 year deal.
Kennedy’s final line was: 4 innings, 2 hits, 1 run (earned), 0 walks, 4 strikeouts. 53 pitches, 37 strikes, 16 balls, 5 groundouts 3 flyouts.
Zach Kroenke is pitching now. 1 inning, 1 hits, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout. 25 pitches, 12 strikes, 13 balls.
Seven
October 13th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
betsy
October 13th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
LOL at Michael Kay – he doesn’t think the Yankees are bringing back Damon, Matsui and even Andy (if Andy asks for a ton of $$)
———————————
I think Andy is almost a lock to come back on a 1 year deal especially after Wang’s injury. They need a number 3 type starter. Next year rotatation will probably be
SP- Sabathia
SP- Burnett
SP- Pettitte
SP- Chamberlain
SP- Hughes
———————————————————
do you think the yankees go with both hughes & joba in the rotation??
hughes will have growing pains & joba who knows
if pettitte is gone i would go after a solid pitcher like webb,etc….
Would a dead rally monkey be an inappopriate accoutrement for Angel Stadium?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200.....es_advance
if pettitte goes we need a solid pitcher to take his place
cc,burnett,joba,hughes
is a little short
gaudin,ace??
Thanks, Bronx Jeers, that’s a very good look.
I guess the Mark Twain suit doesn’t come in pinstripes.
Nick— perhaps and interlocking NY cap but wearing some tribute to Adenhart as a tribute
( shield)
Pettitte’s not going.
He’ll hem & haw a bit, but I think he’d want to come back.
And that rotation is a lot short with 2 guys on IP limits.
Joba/Hughes/Wang(2nd half) to cover the 5th spot.
Ace/Gaudin/mitre in the wings. And yes, Ace starts!
Official game times for ALCS: ALCS games times, all eastern: 1-7:57; 2-7:57; 3-4:13; 4-7:57; 5- 7:57; 6-4:13; 7-8:20
I don’t really like the 4.13 starts. They don’t really affect me a ton (yay being unemployed -_-) but a 1 PM start for those in California?
I’m sure there’s a good reason for it, but for me it makes as little sense as having four off days before the ALCS starts.
Oops Joba/Hughes/Wang cover the 4th & 5th spots
As long as Pettitte stays healthy and is effective, he’ll pitch. He’s already said they his kids are of the age where they are getting a big thrill out of what their dad is accomplishing and his wife is ok with it. He also has a chance at 250 wins and 2500 strikeouts. Those are huge numbers for a left hander. That would put him well within the top ten left handed winners in history.
Bru,
If Healthy we can have Wang back. another 19 wins in the rotation would be nice,
Though I think Andy will be back for another year
The Angels and Dodgers have made a habit of using dead team mates and coaches as something to “spur them on”. The Dodgers in 1978 used Jim Gilliam’s death. It got to the point of being morbid….pointing to the sky (Lopes), carrying around a uniform, using his name after every win…not a word mentioned afte a loss.
Romine had a rough game, so far at 0-3 with a GIDP and Strikeout. Laird is 4-4 with 2 runs scored, 3 RBI. Curtis is 2-4 with a 2 run double.
That was a toolsy adjective decision.
Thanks for the minor-league banter.
Chad -
Please keep up the news on the prospects. You are in a very unique position, having watch them up close and personal for more than a second or two – to say the least!
My husband and I were very impressed with Curtis in Trenton earlier this season and were not surprised that he was promoted to SWB mid-season. He had a real good presence, and a nice bat. What are the chances he could be a “sleeper” for the Yankees OF next season, or, alternatively, could he considered a valuable piece in a trade?
The Yankees have a tough call with what to do with Wang and his contract. Coming off shoulder surgery and his ability will not be known till next season.
Think the Yankees will bring back Andy and Damon but not Matsui.
“The Angels and Dodgers have made a habit of using dead team mates and coaches as something to “spur them on”. ”
Dead Yankees seem to go straight to Heaven and help jack balls out of the park at opportune times. As a result not as much need to do the Win one for the Gipper stuff
It is refreshing to read the blogging free of bias, sarcasm, hostility and closet dislike of “everything Yankee”. Keep up the professionalism, Sam, Chad and Josh.
Yankee farmhands are really raking against Peo in AFL!
i think (and hope) that Damon is gone and i think Matsui is too as the Yanks are not going to invest big $ and multiple years in two aging one dimensional players.
the Yanks would love to have Andy back on a 1 yr incentive laden deal like his current deal but Andy may want to parlay this season into a 2 or 3 year deal at market $ and the Yanks may not want to do that. i hope Andy’s agreeable to going year to year.
Joba and Hughes will both be in the rotation and the “Hughes Rules” won’t be as stringent and certainly better planned than the Joba rules because Hughes has more total innings under his belt than Joba(89 career minor league innings).
i like the idea of Romine in the OF however i don’t think the Yanks are thinking that with him. I think that internally the Yanks still aren’t convinced that Montero will stick at C defensively and may have to move and Romine may actually have a better chance at replacing Posada. at the min i think that Montero/Romine can split the position for a couple of years until Gary Sanchez or John Murphy are ready
Whoaa! Jesus warming up backstop for Sanchez/JR.Murphy?? that is a new one