Yankees select Dante Bichette Jr. with 51st overall pick
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jun 06, 2011 
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The Yankees just made their first pick of the 2011 draft, selecting 3B Dante Bichette Jr. with the 51st overall selection.
The organization is going to pass along a comment from Damon Oppenheimer at some point tonight. I won’t pretend to know a thing about this kid, but obviously the name is familiar. He’s the son of the former outfielder in Colorado who’s a close friend of Joe Girardi.
Sorry about that. The kid’s a third baseman, and initially I accidentally labeled the father a third baseman as well. As far as I know, Vinny Castilla’s son was not drafted.
UPDATE, 11:02 p.m.: A few links with information about Bichette.
Baseball America’s twitter feed says there’s “movement in his swing” but that’s apparently under control, and the kid has big-time power and “plenty of bat speed.”
John Manuel from Baseball America says Bichette has “big-time raw righthanded power.”
Baseball America’s draft blog suggests Bichette will likely move to an outfield corner at some point.
The Orlando Sentinel notes that Bichette was a nationally ranked tennis player when he was 14 years old.
Max Preps writes that Bichette played in the Little League World Series before becoming a high school standout.
In Frankie Piliere’s draft chat he called Bichette “a little unorthodox at the plate” but said “this kid can really hit.”
UPDATE, 11:07 p.m.: Knowing nothing about this kid except for what I’ve read, I can only add that the Yankees spent their first two picks on shortstops last season, their lower levels are loaded with center fielders, the catching depth is well known and I think I’ve written plenty about the pitching depth. The organization is a little thin at the corners, so this type of player makes some sense for the system.
UPDATE, 11:12 p.m.: Quote from Damon Oppenheimer: “Dante is one of the guys in this draft we thought had an impact bat and the potential to hit for big power in the middle of the order. He’s someone with an advanced makeup and work ethic who possesses the desire and drive to be a special major leaguer.”
UPDATE, 11:45 p.m.: Here’s the full press release from the Yankees.
The New York Yankees tonight selected 18-year-old third baseman Dante Bichette Jr. out of Orangewood Christian High School in Maitland, Fla., with their first selection (51st pick overall in Compensation Round A) in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft.
Bichette, listed at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, batted a team-high .640 (55-for-86) with 58 runs 14 doubles, 10 home runs and 40 RBI in 30 games as a senior in 2011, as Orangewood Christian fell in the Florida Class-2A state finals. He has been named the “All-Central Florida Baseball Player of the Year” by the Orlando Sentinel in each of the last two seasons. Following his junior year, he was selected as an Under Armour All-American and named his team’s most valuable player.
He is the son of former Major Leaguer Dante Bichette, who played in 1,704 career games across parts of 14 seasons with California, Milwaukee, Colorado, Cincinnati and Boston, batting .299 with 274 home runs.
“Dante is one of the guys in this draft we thought had an impact bat and the potential to hit for big power in the middle of the order,” said Damon Oppenheimer, Yankees Vice President of Amateur Scouting. “He’s someone with an advanced makeup and work ethic who possesses the desire and drive to be a special major leaguer.”
The right-handed batter was ranked by Baseball America as the 15th-best overall player out of the state of Florida in this year’s draft. In 2005, Bichette participated in the Little League World Series with his Maitland, Fla. team.
The selection of Bichette marks the fourth straight year the Yankees have taken a high school player with their first selection in the First-Year Player Draft.
BenBadler Confirmed by John Hart: Dante Bichette Jr.’s makeup is, in fact, off the charts
Can he hit in Coor’s field and it count for the Yankees?
Bichette was an outfielder with Colorado. He only played 1 inning at 3B in his whole career.
keithlaw: I laughed. Jr. didn’t make my top 100
Does anyone know when the Yanks next pick is?
How longs his dad been retired?? Doesn’t seem long ago.
Wow, I remember watching this kid on TV in Little League WS a few years ago, lol.
Friend of Girardi – FOG. How appropriate.
You know that a future NY headline id Bichette makes the bigs and he hits a homer will be: DANTE’S INFERNO
# jacksquat June 6th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
keithlaw: I laughed. Jr. didn’t make my top 100
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oh oh
lol
Awful
Take a chance on Bell or Norris. We don’t need anymore DHs.
Wants $3.9 million. Velo inconsistent all spring. RT @chrisbirckhead: @keithlaw Why have we not seen Norris go yet?
this guys son:
http://www.google.com/imgres?i.....#038;ty=98
Coming from a jerk that doesn’t know baseball from his ass, whatever Law says, go with the opposite.
Welcome to the Yankees Dante
Norris is 17 or 18 and skinny…..not real surprising that the velo would be inconsistent.
Torre and Zim….together again..
# blake June 6th, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Torre and Zim….together again..
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I’m sure Francesa will be all over that tomorrow. He likes that kind of stuff.
“Torre and Zim….together again.”
I’m totally using that on another site where I’m live-blogging the draft.
“I’m totally using that on another site where I’m live-blogging the draft.
”
you have my permission
“The Orlando Sentinel notes that Bichette was a nationally ranked tennis player when he was 14 years old.”
oh….now it makes sense.
blake / Face….It was him twittering word for word what blake had posted….It was on the Mlb.com website……Law & Churchill don’t thrill me at times….
Dante Sr. Was one of the coaches of his son’s LL World Series squad. That team was stacked with 3 kids that were offspring of MLB players!
It does seem like Bichette had a good chance of falling to 88… but if the Yanks truly like the kid, sounds good to me.
# BD (Boston Dave) June 6th, 2011 at 11:12 pm
It does seem like Bichette had a good chance of falling to 88… but if the Yanks truly like the kid, sounds good to me.
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That seems to be their thought process. We don’t care who everyone thinks we should pick we’re going to take who we like
Not thrilled with the pick, esp. if the Yankees basically picked him because Joe and his dad are friends.
His pappa sure could hit.
Hope the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.
repost – from bleacher report: (sounds like he does have a great work ethic)
You might think Dante Bichette Jr. is a wee bit too arrogant when he openly discusses how he’s pretty sure he could hit .700 against opposing pitchers. But as soon as you take into account how much work he puts in (up to five or six hours a day in the cages) and how good he is now (.597 with nine homers and 37 RBI in 102 plate appearances), it’s clear that Bichette Jr. is going to a a first-day pick.
The son of former All-Star Dante Bichette, and a one-time star of the Little League World Series, Bichette Jr. has grown up to be quite a power hitter in his own right. He is easily one of the best prospects in the draft when it comes to raw power. The kid hits moonshots.
But in addition to his ridiculous power, he’s also a very good hitter. He is incredibly patient for a high schooler, and shows a great eye, a very smooth swing, and an impressive hitting ability.
Bichette is committed to the University of Georgia, but I would have to say that there’s probably a 10 percent chance of him actually setting foot on campus, now with the cash that will be floated in front of him and his proud papa.
Not thrilled with the pick, esp. if the Yankees basically picked him because Joe and his dad are friends.
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You don’t honestly think this, right?
Betsy not thrilled with the pick?
No!
That seems to be their thought process. We don’t care who everyone thinks we should pick we’re going to take who we like
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Plus the Yankees can overpay for signability guys in later rounds so where they draft each player is not SS important.
*as important*
TroyRenck: Dante Jr has crazy power. Signed with Georgia to play SS. Probably will shift to 3B in the pros if he signs.
Well many here were complaining about the lack of depth in the organization of position players…..I remember watching his Pop light em up at Anaheim all those years ago…..Is there another site that is posting the sandwich picks ???? And did Owens get picked ??? He has made it known that it would take some doing to keep from being a Hurricane….BS I think, but he really is 5 years away form the bigs and he needs to fill out, but he has talent
Nick, if you want to pick a fight, pick it with someone else.
RH power bats are becoming a rarity in MLB.
Pat M…
Sox took Owens
# LGY June 6th, 2011 at 11:18 pm
Not thrilled with the pick, esp. if the Yankees basically picked him because Joe and his dad are friends.
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You don’t honestly think this, right?
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D’antoni picked Gallinari because he is friends with his father so I guess anything is possible
The Yankees picked the heir to Jeter and the heir to Alex in back to back drafts!!
Captain Clutch June 6th, 2011 at 10:51 pm
BenBadler Confirmed by John Hart: Dante Bichette Jr.’s makeup is, in fact, off the charts
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Not sure I like my ballplayers wearing make-up, nor should we select them for that ability…but I have read where he spends 5 hours a day practicing his hitting. Have a real desire and drive to play in the majors. Good pick, regardless of the shade of rouge he may wear.
I also hope they select Norris with their next pick and pay him his demands ($3.9M), and even Bell and try to convince him to forego college….Pick him 5th or 6th.
Yanks need to stop trying to outsmart BA/ESPN, etc. and just take guys on the consensus draft board rather than try to reach for guys who are out of the top 100 just to try and prove that their scouting is superior. It isn’t. They don’t need to find hidden ‘gems’ in the early rounds. Go for the high ceiling talent. Norris should have been the pick.
Pick a fight?
What?
LGY, the kid sounds like he’s like a one-trick pony in that he’s got power and not much else- not very athletic, huge holes in his swing. Why else would the Yankees pick him? It’s great that he has a terrific work ethic and that should come into play if you are trying to evaluate between relatively equal players, but if not, then picking pure talent should be the #1 priority.
somebody doesn’t like the pick and has no clue as to who he is. It’s doubtful that the Yankees drafted Bichette as a favor to Girardi, since it’s not likely Girardi will even be around when Bichette would be ready for NY. Betsy, is there any damned players that you do like? First, you were all over Phil Hughes with love, got tired of him and dumped him, then it was Romine and you dumped him. Who’s next? Banuelos? Betances?
Fans always rip their team’s manager. It’s inevitable. Pitching changes. Lineup decisions. All of it. Managers get second guessed constantly.
What’s amazing is, the Yankees managed take the only kid in America who enables fans to blame Joe Girardi for the draft as well!
D’antoni picked Gallinari because he is friends with his father so I guess anything is possible
——
Why do you guys listen to K Law at all, he constantly hates on our drafts yet we have a top 5 system in Baseball. I trust Frankie P’s judgement much more than K Law.
Sounds a bit like the Yanks drafted to need instead of best available….but they do need young bats and some of the overslot guys may make it to their next picks.
I think Boston picked Owens in Supple., round
# LGY June 6th, 2011 at 11:20 pm
That seems to be their thought process. We don’t care who everyone thinks we should pick we’re going to take who we like
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Plus the Yankees can overpay for signability guys in later rounds so where they draft each player is not SS important.
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very well said
You have to admit that it’s quite a “coincidence” that Bichette was their #1 pick, higher than anyone expected, and Bichette’s daddy and Girardi are best buddies.
Betsy, you’re either really young or really old. I haven’t been able to tell yet though haha
Also, for the record, there’s zero chance the Yankees made their top pick in the draft strictly because the manager is friends with the kid’s dad.
Chad,
You’re right…. unless the Yankees draft a bunting specialist with pick #88.
Boston Dave….BoSox grab Owens before or after The Yanks pick ????
Betsy
I don’t think its necessary to have the conversation for the 2nd straight year that the Yankees know a lot more about Bichette than Keith Law.
It’s ridiculous to think they used their first round pick on a kid because of the connection to Girardi. Really ridiculous.
Seems like an odd pick so high in the draft. Doesn’t have a real position, not very athletic, holes in his swing. Lots of power though. A better version of Jorge Vazquez?
And the rest of the AL East has had like a billion picks already. Tampa in particular has picked up some nice talent as usual.
Nobody uses their first pick as a favor to a friend. Even Lasorda, who had more input with the Dodgers than Girardi will ever have with the Yanks waited until the final pick of the entire draft to pick his best friend’s son, Mike Piazza.
# LGY June 6th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
D’antoni picked Gallinari because he is friends with his father so I guess anything is possible
——
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But with Gallo and Walsh gone it could be a tough road for D’antoni
Pat M,
before – pick #36 I think
Chad Jennings June 6th, 2011 at 11:23 pm
Fans always rip their team’s manager. It’s inevitable. Pitching changes. Lineup decisions. All of it. Managers get second guessed constantly.
What’s amazing is, the Yankees managed take the only kid in America who enables fans to blame Joe Girardi for the draft as well!
_______
They did it just to piss some here off.
Keith Law knows so little about baseball that he was paid to help oversee the toronto blue jays for a number of years at multiple positions before resigning to be paid more to write about baseball by ESPN. Of course a no nothing beer swiller from the south knows more than he does, its so simple!
Ok, LGY, there’s no point in arguing about it.
Yea they took Owens before the Yanks picked
Yeah, I’m sure they made this pick because he is friends with Girardi’s son. Give them a little more credit than that.
You have to admit that it’s quite a “coincidence” that Bichette was their #1 pick, higher than anyone expected, and Bichette’s daddy and Girardi are best buddies.
–
I think its far fetched. You draft someone as a favor in the 40th round. You don’t draft a kid #1 on your board because the manager really likes him. Its possible that because of Girardi’s recommendations they scouted him more, and liked him more.
The whole reason they picked Cito was because he was a local product and they had more eyes on him than any other team. But if they scouted him and he wasn’t a top round player, they wouldn’t have picked him.
“Also, for the record, there’s zero chance the Yankees made their top pick in the draft strictly because the manager is friends with the kid’s dad.”
It’s funny how certain Yankee fans think so little of their team’s scouting staff to even think that’s a possibility.
LGY…..Good point…..Hey remember that The Dodgers picked a family friend’s kid as the last pick back during Old Man Bush’s regime….
The Yankees had Bichette in their Pro Scout camp and gave him a good looking over. He hit several moonshots, and exhibited great power. Video on Youtube about it.
He loves the Yankees and wants to play here, and may be the RFer of the future.
Bell will probably fall awhile because apparently he has pretty much made it clear he’s going to college. They could take him later and make him a big offer to try to change his mind. Not sure if Norris will make it to 88 or not…..I’m surprised he didn’t get picked tonight…..teams must really get the sense that he could choose college or they just don’t wanna pay the 4 million.
# LGY June 6th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
The Yankees picked the heir to Jeter and the heir to Alex in back to back drafts!!
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Can you imagine what would happen if they worked out.
“I knew these kids were blue chip studs the day they got drafted”
Bichette was basically a middle 2nd round pick, not a first round pick. They need position players, whether it’s corner infielders or corner outfielders. If they need pitchers, they’ll pay the going rate for a trouble signing. You’re well named. You don’t know jack squat.
I actually like this pick better than Norris or Bell. Norris could have arm problems with his delivery, and Bell is going to be a real tough one to sign.
I can’t imagine that they picked him, because Girardi is friends with his father. More likely, the fact that Girardi and the kid’s father are friends gave the Yanks some inside knowledge on the kid. It makes perfect sense–like getting a job interview as a result of a common friend.
Unreal comments – I mean come on. Making a joke about Girardi and DB is one thing but to actually think that it seriously has anything to do with the pick is just nuts.
“I don’t do a lot,” Girardi said. “I really don’t do much at all. I’ll talk to Damon Oppenheimer about some things. These guys are seeing them multiple times. For me, to watch a video, I don’t think would get the true feeling of what the players are like. They spend a lot of long, hard hours, and they’re the experts.”
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=nyy
I’m not saying that Bichette was a massive over reach. I’m saying that he could have risen on their board a little because of the relationship, not just as a favor.
OBVIOUSLY the Yankees would not use their #1 pick for just semi-nepotism. That possibility did not even need to be addressed.
They drafted Girardi’s son with this pick?
I believe this pick makes both Joe Girardi and Dante Bichette Sr. literal prospect huggers.
That is all.
Nepotism is the White Sox drafting their GM’s daughter in a late round.
jacksquat June 6th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
I’m not saying that Bichette was a massive over reach. I’m saying that he could have risen on their board a little because of the relationship, not just as a favor.
OBVIOUSLY the Yankees would not use their #1 pick for just semi-nepotism. That possibility did not even need to be addressed.
=======================
Ummm…you kind of brought it up with your talk about “coicidences”.
Bichin’ pick, I say..
The Red Sox clearly have won the entire draft according to ESPN’s early breakdown. All of the players they picked should be appearing in the all star game next month.
Meanwhile, all we get is power hitting son of ex Rockie/Angel who will win the spring training tennis ladder.
Oh the pain! Oh the pain!!!! Cito Culver take me away!
Of course Scout Boras is Gerrit Cole’s agent. How tough a sign will he be? he has one more year of eligibility…
# Jerzz June 6th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
They drafted Girardi’s son with this pick?
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Yes and he’ll be in the line-up Dhing against lefties. That’s what Joe has in the binder.
If they draft Scott Boras Jr will they get discounts on his clients?
After the positive results Gerrit Cole had with going to college, I don’t see Bell going pro this year at all. He will go to college and hope to be a top 3 pick in a few years, and get bigger bucks than what he will get even with an over slot offer.
It seems like an interesting pick. I don’t know enough about about amateur ball to make an assessment. Getting their first pick in the 51st round, always meant that the Yanks weren’t going to get a top prospect. I think going this round makes a lot of sense. Going back to our earlier discussion of how player development plays a strong role in determining whether a prospect makes it to becoming a solid big leaguer, then getting a kid with the right pedigree, a strong work ethic, and desire makes a lot of sense to me.
But of course Grunt7 being rude while totally twisting what people say out of proportion.
Danks got his 1st win tonight….solid outing
Ghostwriter June 6th, 2011 at 11:43 pm
___
Agreed!
And with that–good night night people!
Good shot Bichette has plus footwork, eye/hand coordination and reaction time to go with his reported power if he was a nationally ranked junior tennis player.
Night all
BoJo June 6th, 2011 at 11:41 pm
After the positive results Gerrit Cole had with going to college, I don’t see Bell going pro this year at all. He will go to college and hope to be a top 3 pick in a few years, and get bigger bucks than what he will get even with an over slot offer.
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I wonder what I would do if I (or my kid) was in that spot. There is a lot to be said for taking the money, and avoiding the risk of missing out on the opportunity altogether, as the result of an injury.
The starting pitcher that gets the most luck on days he pitches this year? Max Scherzer. 7-2 record and a 4.68 ERA.
jacksquat says:
June 6, 2011 at 10:53 pm
keithlaw: I laughed. Jr. didn’t make my top 100
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Isn’t THAT ironic? I laughed when I found out Keith Law was once denied admission to the BBWAA for not actually attending enough baseball games.
The guys on tv said the kid has been working out with the Yanks a lot at their complex. So obviously they saw him often and liked what they saw just like with Cito. It’s much easier for them to form an oppinion when he is infront of you often instead of seeing a kid a couple of times. They aren’t wasting their 1 pick in the 1st round because of the managers friendship, that’s stupid to even think that.
“The starting pitcher that gets the most luck on days he pitches this year? Max Scherzer. 7-2 record and a 4.68 ERA.”
I’ll take that over the 0-32 guy!
jacksquat June 6th, 2011 at 11:44 pm
But of course Grunt7 being rude while totally twisting what people say out of proportion.
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Not a thing was twisted…..except for possibly your thinking.
Melky does find himself in these situations……. walkoff?
that’s not all law said
keithlaw:
Wait till you see the hack. RT @Bloogart7: @keithlaw Yikes, just saw footage of Bichette running. Not impressed.
Hard but at him.
Pie for Hosmer.
Ghostwriter June 6th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
“The starting pitcher that gets the most luck on days he pitches this year? Max Scherzer. 7-2 record and a 4.68 ERA.”
I’ll take that over the 0-32 guy!
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Even if the 0-32 pitcher has a 1.00 ERA?
GreenBeret7 June 6th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Ghostwriter June 6th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
“The starting pitcher that gets the most luck on days he pitches this year? Max Scherzer. 7-2 record and a 4.68 ERA.”
I’ll take that over the 0-32 guy!
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Even if the 0-32 pitcher has a 1.00 ERA?
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Yep. Imagine that!
Haha I love the people who aren’t “thrilled” with the pick. Give the kid a chance. He’s at least 4 years away from the bigs probably anyway. It’s impossible to judge the mlb draft the day it’s conducted. This isn’t football where guys have an impact right away.
But Law is deooling all over the Toronto and boston picks. he’s more interested with snarky comments than actually reporting facts. He’s a 40 year old punk.
***drooling*** all over
“Yikes, just saw footage of Bichette running. Not impressed.”
Seriously?? Who cares how well he runs if he’s got plus power? Did Teixeira or A-Gon get scouted for their baserunning abilities? Talk about reaching!
GB-
I love the reports about his makeup and desire to be great. Sounds like he has the tools, just might be a little rough around the edges but that work ethic is going to do wonders. It could really help him put it all together.
I remember Keith Law also saying that there is absolutely no way that Montero will catch in the majors and he thought it was funny that the Yanks even pretend that he can. You can guarantee that he never saw him in person and one of the espn losers told him that.
Ghostwriter says:
June 6, 2011 at 11:57 pm
GreenBeret7 June 6th, 2011 at 11:55 pm
Ghostwriter June 6th, 2011 at 11:52 pm
“The starting pitcher that gets the most luck on days he pitches this year? Max Scherzer. 7-2 record and a 4.68 ERA.”
I’ll take that over the 0-32 guy!
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Even if the 0-32 pitcher has a 1.00 ERA?
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Yep. Imagine that!
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Heresy!!!!!!!!!!
To be fair, that footage they saw of Bichette running was taken on a clay court.
Law’s next tweet?: not thrilled with the way Bichette Jr. wears his helmet.
As long as bichette puts in the effort that matches the talents, which seems to be considerable, he’ll do just fine. I would have preferred a left handed corner power bat, but, it is power and supposedly there’s a high average to go with it. Hoping he signs immediately so he can play in the GCL in a few weeks. Defense, whether 3rd or corner outfield will put him right on target to start filling one of those spots in 3-4 years.
hardwired7 June 7th, 2011 at 12:04 am
Law’s next tweet?: not thrilled with the way Bichette Jr. wears his helmet.
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GB…..You are a classic, My ribs are sore from laughing……..With Gerrit Cole actualy get more money from The Pirates than he would have from The NY Yankees…..I’m certain SJ is loving this, I have to call him tomorrow….GB, I’m still laughing…..
He’s the 51st pick and is years away from playing in the majors; if he makes it at all. They are all crap shoots; you give the Yankees personnel evaluators the benefit of the doubt and judge them on results later IMO.
I do think growing up in a baseball family, knowing what it’s all about, and being around the game is an advantage. Not a major one but it can’t hurt.
I do think growing up in a baseball family, knowing what it’s all about, and being around the game is an advantage. Not a major one but it can’t hurt.
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it worked for the Mets and Ike Davis
Tyler, bichette has a lot to live down with that name and what his daddy accomplished….regardless of where he played. The old man had flaws, but, he busted his hump in every game that i saw him play. Besides himself, there’s at least two names that he has to please. Dad and girardi.
Captain Clutch June 7th, 2011 at 12:00 am
I remember Keith Law also saying that there is absolutely no way that Montero will catch in the majors and he thought it was funny that the Yanks even pretend that he can. You can guarantee that he never saw him in person and one of the espn losers told him that.
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I know it’s kind of off the subject, but have you seen Montero’s defensive numbers? I can’t help but think that every game with him behind the plate will turn into a track meet. On the bright side, he has cut down on the passed ball this season.
Didn’t follow the draft tonight but saw that the Royals took Bubba Starling. It’s going to be so interesting to see if he signs… He’s a Kansas boy with a Nebraska QB Scholarship. If he signs, he just bolsters that KC system that much more. Kid could pitch or play OF in the minors. An absolute STUD athlete.
Pat M,
No idea why SJ is not around anymore, but his opinions are missed. Great insight, I thought.
Thinking that the Bichette pick has anything to do with his father’s friendship with Joe Girardi is about as stupid as thinking that how many wins a pitcher has is the most important criteria to use in evaluating them.
GB-
You are definitely right about that. Big shoes to fill. I’m hoping that he signs quickly and see how he does in the GCL.
Sadly, Gammons & Law both had to delete the love letters they were writing about Bichette Jr. just in case the Red Sox took him. I’m sure you would have seen the words, “future middle of the order hitter”, “lightower power”, “great makeup”, “sure to be a quick riser”, etc.
That said, I’ve just heard the 4 Red Sox picks have already toured local Boston hospitals, firehouses and drunk tanks and formed a garage band that only plays obscure hits by The Smithereens. Great guys. Rosy cheeked American boys with parents creative enough to come up with an original name and not just lazily call their son Jr. which he’ll no doubt take a lazy approach into the game.
Rendon fell all the way down to 6? Seems like a nice pickup by the Nationals. He was a consensus top 3 guy coming in I thought…
Pat M. June 7th, 2011 at 12:06 am
GB…..You are a classic, My ribs are sore from laughing……..With Gerrit Cole actualy get more money from The Pirates than he would have from The NY Yankees…..I’m certain SJ is loving this, I have to call him tomorrow….GB, I’m still laughing…..
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Evening, Pat. Great to see you hanging around with us lower life forms. Got a message from Doreen on her day at the park in Trenton. Very impressed with Norton and Joseph. You, Doreen, SJ, Erica and the rest are greatly missed. The ladies for their style, you and SJ for the knowledge. All we have left is Randy…for his…wait….I’ll try to think of something that he’s missed for.
Actually for somebody as old as Randy is, he’s got a great sense of humor. Funny old geezer..
West Coast Yankee Fan says:
June 7, 2011 at 12:11 am
Thinking that the Bichette pick has anything to do with his father’s friendship with Joe Girardi is about as stupid as thinking that how many wins a pitcher has is the most important criteria to use in evaluating them.
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But not 1/10th as dumb as thinking your opinion means anything around here.
Nothing wrong with Montero’s throwing that a little bit of pitchers holding runners won’t help. he’s doing one thing else well. He’s hurting other players when he blocks the plate. He has two, His glove looks like a fighter plane from WWII with Swastikas and meatballs for kills. He has corpses painted on his glove.
Ill provide the video footage from the GCL if he does sign. And if Cole ever plays for Bradenton then ill be able to see him too.
I know it’s kind of off the subject, but have you seen Montero’s defensive numbers?
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He might not catch but to say that about someone at 20 years old and say “he will never” is stupid. I know when I saw him in spring training it wasn’t pretty but I doubt pitchers in the minors hold runners good so it’s hard to just go by numbers. What was said about VMart and Piazza defensively when they were 20-21 years old?
I’d prefer Montero not block the plate. I want him to hit HRs not be concussed into oblivion.
Captain Clutch June 7th, 2011 at 12:21 am
I know it’s kind of off the subject, but have you seen Montero’s defensive numbers?
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He might not catch but to say that about someone at 20 years old and say “he will never” is stupid.
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QTF
I don’t know if Montero will ever be a “great” defensive catcher but as mentioned before, if he can just become adequate behind the plate he will be fine. I still believe that he can do that. Plenty of time to grow. That bat is going to be a beautiful thing to watch in the majors.
GB….I was going to call SJ tomorrow anyway and now with Cole in the spotlight I wasn’t his take, also it should interesting what he has to say about Dante Jr……You understand why many have backed away from here, and I was gone before the last BoSox series and when I come back it’s still the same muck for the most part……A few weeks ago Tin Cup posted a link from a few years back and for me it was sad to see so many quality Yankee and good baseball fans in general names on the departed list…….Has CB been around or did he too just bail ??? Maybe send him an e-mail tomorrow …..John Hart is the one baseball guy who’s opinion is bankable…..Kieth Law, not so much
No one can be sure how good a hitter Montero will be in the show. I sure hope that the Yankees are not headed for a major letdown, time will tell. I for one don’t think he or anyone is a lock to be great based on their minor league and scouting reports.
Tyler June 7th, 2011 at 12:26 am
I don’t know if Montero will ever be a “great” defensive catcher but as mentioned before, if he can just become adequate behind the plate he will be fine.
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I’ll take adequate with an OPS over .800 in a second. However, it seems like he still ahs a ways to go before he gets to “adequate”…
Tyler, Piltere puts Montero’s postential defensive skills between Piazza and Posada. Posada had trouble with pitches in the dirt, but, before the injuries, he could throw. Piazza blocked pitches fairly well but couldn’t throw. Montero is still working on blocking pitches but he throws well…strong arm. Definitely doesn’t shy away from contact and they can’t move him.
tyanksfan36…..If the opportunity does arrive make every effort to see Gerrit he’s very impressive…Besides he’s no longer a brat like he was in HS…..He’s ready to become a Pro in all aspects
Pat M.
Well if he makes it to Bradenton I will definitely have to check him out. As a college player like he is and not knowing that organization I wouldn’t know where they would start him.
I will get to see the GCL Yankees (and various other GCL teams) so I’m excited for the rest of the draft and for someone to tell me who to look out for.
Pat, I was told why so many left here…especially the ladies and it was more than the harassment from that idiot. Seems that a lot felt that the condesending remarks made to them, like they had no business on here because they didn’t know enough. BS of course. When they didn’t know they asked and they remembered. I thought that they added a bit of civility in here. Of course, all of the Bs between those 3 clowns and the constant harping about nobody knowing anything unless they pray to Bill James annoy everyone.
Haven’t seen CB for a month or more, so he’s either really busy or just got fed up, too.
Tyler, ***Piliere*** puts Montero’s
Well GB, You just summarized the situation to a T……The night discussions were so good that they would carry on to the Morning group led by Doreen and the Breakfast Club……m, made a return briefly a month or so ago and was apparently just turned off by it all one day and she too is gone…….Erica was great and I miss her as she had a sense of lightness that just brought a sense of calmness when things got sketchy here….This was once a great place and maybe Chad can have his tech guy go back and pull of up some of those people and send them an e-mail and ask them to reconsider……
Pat, in your rounds of haunting the local diamonds, are there any kids that catch your eye thet might not be getting their just dues?…somebody that might interest the Yankees?
Top available players on BA’s Top 200:
Josh Bell (No. 15), Daniel Norris (16), Austin Hedges (28), Andrew Susac (30), Dillon Howard (31) Matt Purke (32), Jorge Lopez (39), Josh Osich (41), Alex Dickerson (42), Dillon Maples (46), Tony Zych (50), Granden Goetzman (52) Williams Jerez (53), Matt Dean (54), Anthony Meo (55), Ricky Opresa (57), Aaron Westlake (59), Charlie Lowell (62), B.A. Vollmuth (63)
Pat, I think that once they can get a couple of issues under control, they’ll be back. Unfortunately this junior high school girls kitty fights between the three/four main culprits meed to be moved to and other junior high school. That got tiresome months ago and shows no signs of stopping. People just get tired of digging through the kitty litter to make it worth while. A real pity, too.
Yeah, Erica and her daily Muppet updates were worth reading. Her and Erin were great. Can’t imagine two young ladies going to work, wearing Bert and Ernie mittens. Some funny, funny stuff. Doreen was pretty much quiet, until she was pushed, but, she loves her minor league teams and always had great updates from Trenton and Lakewood. TY on here has some great stuff on the Tampa kids to help fill the void. You’re correct, though, those MIA are really missed on here to balance out the BS.
GB-
Sounds like Montero has work to do but there are some nice tools there. I love the reports of him having a strong arm. The ability to absorb a blow at the plate could be a very good tool as we have seen and heard about recently haha. He definitely looks like a tank out there.
Padres pitcher threaten to take Padres offense to court for non-support. 61 games and shut out 10 times, 8 times held to 1 run and 8 times with just 2 runs. Their record in those 26 games is 2-24.
Tyler, he gets on both knees when blocking the plate. if he gets the ball in time, the runner limps off of the field, unfulfilled. reminds me of Mongo getting hit. It only makes him mad.
GB-
I for one wouldn’t want to run into him. I’ve only seen him play on T.V., never live. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to catch him live. I was looking at the sox prospect site and it lists their number one prospect as Kalish…. I would say it’s a much better time to be a Yank’s system fan haha.
Kalish is #1? he’s also been on the DL for more than a month. Romine, heathcott, and Lyerly are better…then we can talk about pitching.
GB-
It had Kalish 1, Iglesias 2, and Renuado (sp?) 3. Now it is just soxprospects.com… Not sure how BA had them ranked. Still that is a very weak system after the Gonzalez trade..
All of them have talent, but different talents. Watching Iglesious playing in Scranton, he sort of reminds me of the old 90s shortstop of the Mets…Rey Ordonez. speed and all glove.
Kalish, I like though. he could be a solid outfielder. good glove, pretty good speed and some power. he has an advantage going through the minors in that he learns how to hit off of that wall as a left handed hitter. Every one of their minor league parks has that short distance 37 foot wall.
***Iglesias***
Morning ! .
Welcome aboard Mr. Dante Bichette Jr. ..
Lets go Yanks !! .. .time to take out the Sox !!
Let’s go yanks!
How many picks will be done today?
Morning everyone. I thought Mlbnetwork did a really nice job with the draft…..I thought it was great.
Surprised at the Yanks pick but I know nothing about the kid so Ill just have to trust their judgement…..I felt sure that they’d take the Lefty Norris if he fell to them and try to pay him over slot. Maybe the Yanks feel good about their pitching depth and wanted the corner bat…..also once these guys start to fall they sometimes fall for awhile so maybe they thought other guys they want might be around later.
I know the MLB draft isn’t as famous as the other drafts because most of these guys don’t make instant impacts and because they aren’t as well known from college….but I love it and if they change the rules so that they can trade picks then it could get wild.
Go Yanks tonight!
Party in Yankeeland last night
http://tiny.cc/sq86i
And another gossip break:
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00041124.html
Perhaps, Norris isn’t going to break his college commit.
Just bought the video of “Naked Muppets Gone Wild”. Ms Piggy is some dish. What a rack…of ribs.
Crawdaddy,
That’s possible….I haven’t heard that though. He’s committed but I’ve just heard that he wants the big bucks.
Really hope things go well with Jorge’s son…..that’s much bigger than baseball.
that is just wrong GB
GreenBeret7 June 7th, 2011 at 7:32 am
Just bought the video of ?Naked Muppets Gone Wild?. Ms Piggy is some dish. What a rack?of ribs.
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I know that Erin is sitting there giggling. Erica is most likely checking out her high powered rifle about now.
“. What a rack…of ribs.”
That’s funny
Careful, Blake. I don’t think Erin wants you to encourage me.
GreenBeret7 June 7th, 2011 at 7:41 am
I know that Erin is sitting there giggling
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Wrong.
Still half asleep, Got my emoticons wrong-that should be a
GB
•David Cone likes advanced baseball statistics -
“I think more and more it’s going mainstream, I really do. There are still going to be holdouts, but to me, it’s get on board or get left behind… There’s just something about the numbers of baseball that draws the best and brightest minds, some of the great mathematicians are drawn to baseball because of the numbers, and that’s a good thing. We’re getting some really, really brilliant people talking about the numbers of the game, and the history of the game. That’s got to be a good thing”.
Erin, it could have been worse. I might have questioned Bert and Ernie’s lifestyles. Personally, I think that it’s a rumor started by Selena Roberts to help push her new article for National Enquirer, “Bert And Ernie’s Love Child”.
Saber stuff has grown on me a bit. I love to use them when they go along with my arguement……
Roberts also hints that Big Bird went heavy on steroids so he could play for the NY Knicks and the NY Giants.
GreenBeret7 June 7th, 2011 at 7:54 am
Erin, it could have been worse. I might have questioned Bert and Ernie?s lifestyles. Personally, I think that it?s a rumor started by Selena Roberts to help push her new article for National Enquirer, ?Bert And Ernie?s Love Child?.
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that doesn’t surprise me at all if it came from Roberts. I wouldn’t put anything past her.
I’d like to take a sabre to Bill James.
GreenBeret7 June 7th, 2011 at 7:57 am
Roberts also hints that Big Bird went heavy on steroids so he could play for the NY Knicks and the NY Giants.
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I would actually have to watch basketball if Big Bird was on the team!!
you guys are funny this am
Mark Jackson gets the Golden State Wariors head coaching job.
Yeah, the Knicks would finally have a center.
For anybody interested,here is a video of dante bichette,6:17 in length.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prtHxHqtgGw
I don’t believe for a minute that Pettitte will ever pitch again.
But it’s interesting how he continues to leave the door open. He won’t be attending this year’s Old Timers game, prior commitment and besides, he says, he’s ‘too young’ for that sort of thing. Interesting also how he says he misses ‘as a man’ having a job to go to.
Personally, if the urge to return hits him, I hope he passes on it. I doubt it could work, given his aanther the time off.
Then again, who knows about pitching. Bartolo and Freddy being prime examples …
Typo, ‘… given his age and the time off.”
Gerritt Cole will love playing for the pirates. Just ask all their former players.
given all the abuse that Jeet and Po have taken this year, I am happy that Pettitte retired early
Puzzles me why so many people were down on Bichette Jr. pick.
His Father was an excellent player who was just a tick under a lifetime .300 hitter with over 200 taters in his career.
The pedigree is certainly there.
And by all accounts the kid has a ++ makeup.
Sounds like a formula for success to me.
Joba’s curve:
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....bring.html
New Post- Round Three: Red Sox returning to Yankee Stadium tonight
Easy Jayson Stark trivia question this week…..
Chipper Jones is one of 4 active players w/ at least 400 HR & .300 lifetime batting avg. Name other 3.
Jones, Rodriguez, Pujols, guerrero