Related since Sanchez plays in Tampa (I know weak)...from current Keith Law chat:

Bobby (NY)

Do concerns remain about Gary Sanchez’s defense?

Klaw (1:12 PM)

They are much smaller than they were last year.

That’s good.  I mean, if he’s +20 with the bat (vs average player), and -10 with the glove, he’s still a 4-5 WAR player as a catcher.  Small questions to me would lean that way…

It’s hard to call Sanchez under-rated, but I feel like he has a larger upside than Mason Williams, and similar probability.

he’s still a 4-5 WAR player as a catcher

Ah, but for which team? 

I.e., who has an injured pitcher ready to deal?

[3] Beachy.

I’d like to see Sanchez striking out with a bit less frequency, and maybe walking a bit more, but I’m cautiously optimistic.

I still think Williams is the better prospect right now.

[5] I agree with the strike zone control his K rate has been dropping so that’s good.

I like Sanchez a little bit more because I think he’s going to develop into a better hitter than Willaims, but basically we’re talking about two good hitting prospects who play premier defensive postions. If we were looking at just offense and position, I’d take Sanchez, but Mason is better defensively, which puts him over the top for now.

Will either of these guys be ready for the show in 2014?

Will either of these guys be ready for the show in 2014?

Late ‘14 would be a best case scenario I think.

Sanchez’ Ks still scare me. I think he’s got more upside, but I think Williams’ safety makes him the easy pick as the better prospect.

[7] Tyler Austin is probably the best bet of the single A guys to be ready to start 2014. But realistically, the only way he does that is by mantaining his ridiculous batting line through high A and AA over the next year+.

As far as possible impact players that could be ready by 2014, the list is pretty small: Banuelos, Betances, Marshall, Montgomery, Romine and Adams. The other high minors guys don’t really have positions and the rest of the prospects are in the low minors.

The Yankees tend to be pretty conservative with their promotions, and rarely have a need to rush anyone to the major, as they can always rent someone for a season or 1/2.

[6] I think Williams’s offense may have more room to grow.  Plus he’s a much better athelete (probably age better), plus when he can’t play CF any longer (might be many years) could likely still be fine in RF/LF.  When Sanchez can’t catch any more (which likely will be much sooner than Williams can’t play CF), he’ll move to 1st or DH, and lose much of his value.

They’re both great prospects, and definitely #1 and #2.  But I really can’t see any way that Sanchez is ahead of Williams.  Obviously that could change if Sanchez continues to improve on D, or cuts back on the K’s.

[7]  Ready to start from Opening Day?  Possible but unlikely.  I think there’s a good chance one or both starts 2013 in Trenton, and if they excel could make it to AAA for the 2nd half.  But I don’t think Yanks will start 2014 with them.  At some point in 2014 though they’ll be ready to contribute.

The 2014 roster will be something to behold in light of the $189m budget.  Should we anticipate a lot of stop-gap older doods hired for cheap till the cream of the farm crop is ready for action?  Guys like Ja Rule Ibanez and Julio Cesar Chavez?

You wonder if the 2014 payroll thing might prompt the Yankees to be a bit more aggressive with their promotions?  A lot of their problems could be solved if they could fill some holes with youth.

[9] I think the recent concussion derailed Austin’s chances of doing that.  He looked like a lock to start 2013 in Trenton.  Now…he still has a shot b/c I think he can continue to put up an OPS north of 900 in Tampa, and north of 850 in Trenton.  If Trenton is very early 2013, then yes he has a shot of starting in 2014.  Especially if he gets a September callup and excels.

You skipped Joseph for “impact” players.  And Chase Whitley if you’re including relievers, though hey probably doesn’t have “closer” potential could still be an above-average setup man.  Also, what’s “impact”?  I think being a 4A player like Cervelli or Pena doesn’t count.  But what about 4th OF?  Or starting OF but a stop-gap (think a 1.5-2 WAR player)?  Guys like Shaeffer Hall, the Almontes, and Melky Mesa I think could all fit that role.  They could also all bomb out in AAA, but all have the upside of being a regular for a few years.  Just a floor of non-MLB.

Two guys I think you missed out on in AA though who could be starting in 2014 are JR Murphy and Rob Segedin.  Murphy underwhelmed in Tampa but so far a .775 OPS in 54AA PA.  He’s also thrown out a third of base stealers this year, and I don’t think 10 PB is unreasonable.  His defense has gotten decent reviews recently.  Only 21. 

Segedin is 23 out of college, 2nd full season.  Hasn’t hit well in AA yet, but I think he may be a bit like Brett Gardner; college bat who plays well in a half-season, struggles upon promotion, but next season puts up above-average numbers again.  Now, he doesn’t have the speed or defense of Gardner, but also displays a bit more power (though not a lot) and doesn’t K as much.  I think if he’s a 3B he’s a prospect, if he’s a RF he’s not.  Unless he’s a +10 defender, which he may be.

[12] maybe, I think they are a little gunshy after the Eric Duncan experience along with the long development arc of Hughes(and to a lesser extent IPK and Joba).

How’s Slade Heathcott Slocumb bouncing back from his myriad untold injuries?  When does he project to be ready for the majors?

[12] Yes, I think so.  I also think they’ll start to be more aggressive about locking younger players into deals that buy out a few years of arb/FA.  Possibly Hughes, Cano, and even Logan after this year, Robertson soon.  Maybe Gardner (though he’s tough with all the injuries) as well.  Even if they aren’t committed to staying under the threshold EVERY year, I think they don’t want to stay above it every year any more.  So, locking guys up to long-term deals to save a few million a year gives them flexibilty.

[13] as far as impact, I’m thinking someone who could hold down a position without undue complaint. I left out CoJo, because he doesn’t really have a position, although he could end up as a super-utility guy. I wasn’t trying to make a full list, just a list of the most probable guys.

Austin’s concussion did set him back, but if he continues to rake, I don’t think the Yankees will hold him back because of it.

[15] He’s playing regularly.  .771 OPS in Tampa, plus 7 steals.  Striking out too much, but showing some power, walking a bit.  Only 4 games in the OF, but has 2 assists.  I think they’re taking him slow.  I don’t think you can project him to the majors at this point; he needs a full (mostly) healthy season at some level of the minors first, playing OF most every day.

[17] “undue complaint”?  Here??  Such a player doesn’t exist within the Yankees’s organization.   Yes most of the guys I mentioned above don’t look to be *likely* MLB starters.  Some of them have a chance to be average players for a few years at their peaks.  Murphy I think is the best of them, and I think has a shot to be an All Star.  If his defense is average (looking likely), a .750 OPS is approaching 3-4 wins for a catcher, and I think he can do that.  Segedin…again if he’s a 3rd baseman I think he would qualify as an impact player.  If he’s a RF only if his defense is GG caliber, and I don’t know that it is.  Mostly I think we often don’t give credit to non “big name” minor leaguers, how these guys can often be pretty good players.

I think the concussion not only cost him the actual PT, but potentially it will take him a few weeks to get back into the swing of things (pun intended).  If so, he’s only going to have 2-3 weeks of the season to play at a high-level.  I think that he won’t have enough time of continued success for the Yankees to feel comfortable stating him in AA next year, and if he starts next year in Tampa I think 2014 is out for him.  Beginning of year at least.  Perhaps I’m wrong and he wasn’t out long enough to get any rust.

[18] I like Heathcott a lot, but you’re right on, he needs to stay healthy. The problem the Yankees have now is that he and Williams are at the same level. It will be interesting to see how the Yankees deal with promoting those two.

I nominate Dante Bichette Jr. to fill in till A-Rod returns.  Failing that, I nominate Dante Bichette Sr. 

And if my seconds aren’t available, go directly to my thirds.  If my thirds aren’t available, then go directly to my fourths.  And so fourth.

Josh “Becky” Beckett is pretty roundly despised here in Beantown now.  He’s the unrepentant, flaccid heart and soul of the fried chicken controversy and at the core of the general malaise of entitled ennui blighting this self-righteous odious franchise.  I would not be surprised to see him traded before the Tuesday 4 pm deadline, especially if the morally, economically, physically and intellectually superior New York Yankees put a hurtin on Sox asses this weekend.

[19] I thnk we are basically agreeing on the quality of the Yankees upper MiL, the difference is I’m looking at readyness in 2014 and you are looking more towards general peaks.

I think the Yankees might be a bit more aggressive with Austin than some of their other prospects. He doesn’t have any apparent weaknesses in his game and he plays one of the easier positions to field, so he’s not a project in anyway. They could put in in the Arizona league to make up for the concussion. Also, and this is probably a minor concern to the Yankees, he fills an “immediate need” for a corner outfielder.

It’s far more likely that he is a call-up sometime in 2014, but he has the best chance out of the Tampa guys to crack the majors to start 2014.

[21] Tyler Austin used to play 3B…

[22] Mr. Hall, you use your tongue better than a…

I think I’ve said enough.

[20] Both have been praised for their defense.  I think - if both are healthy - they’ll promote based on merits.  I.e. if the player is worthy of promotion they’ll be promoted regardless of what the other is doing.  Both can play CF and corner, and get some AB’s as a DH.  Not a bad idea since best case they are both ready to contribute at the same time, so the better fielder is in CF, the other is in a corner.

[23a] Agreed.  Though any AA guy legitimately has a chance to be a player in 2014.  The ones that have a chance to be “impact” - if you include 4th starters - are Montgomery, Marshall, Hall (his ceiling is 4th starter, but I think he’ll be close to that soon), and Murphy.  Murphy has an excellent shot at a 2013 callup if he continues to hit will in AA this year.

[23b] Also agreed.  Though there’s been some chatter they may play him at 3rd again.  Obviously more valuable there depending on defense.  Of course, he could play 3rd to get reps in in the AFL.  I’m not sure if he still has the best chance, simply because of how well Williams has played.  And if need is a concern, Williams can help immediately with defense in CF in 2014, and it should be easier to find corner OF.  Eh, IDK, we’ll know more in September than we do now, for sure.

[26] I agree, Williams is ahead of Heathcott right now, just because he’s been able to play for 2 straight years. It will be fun to see if Heathcott can stay healthy, true CF prospects are nice things to have.

Is there really no chance that Sanchez could hit, say, .195 in the bigs right now?

He’s the unrepentant, flaccid heart and soul of the fried chicken controversy and at the core of the general malaise of entitled ennui blighting this self-righteous odious franchise.

That’s the basic DNA signature of the greater WGBO listening area. What do you do with a guy like that, but make him Captain ?

Also, I think if you worked a little at it, you might have found a way to append “-tard” to something there.

[29] I’d say 50/50 Sanchez could out hit Martin right now, and 80% chance he would out slug him.

When Joba pitches in single A rehab assignments, is he the 8th inning guy?

[32] I think his first couple of appearances wherever he was making them were in the first inning. I assume that’s pretty typical. No reason to make him sit around for an hour or two before pitching.

[32] Maybe we should trade DRob now. Get Jesus back now that he’s learned how to play catch.

Agreed As much as I like drob, aren’t there some members of the 2002 all star team That haven’t retired yet? I mean, we haven’t signed?

[35] Torii Hunter would come in handy these days.

Is Chase Headley a baseball player?  His name makes me think he’s a country western singer?

[37] He is a baseball player.  Perhaps his backup plan if he didn’t make it as a ballplayer is country western singer?  Wouldn’t be the first player who fell back on music when they couldn’t play any more (see Williams, Bernie).

Read this on RAB this morning:

2B David Adams took grounders at third base today, which is notable only because Alex Rodriguez broke his hand two days ago and the Yankees are suddenly looking for a stopgap third baseman. As Double-A Trenton manager Tony Franklin said: “Draw your own conclusions.”

Something we seem to do a lot here is draw conclusions based on limited evidence, so I’ll start. Yankees aren’t totally sold on Nix as the RH end of the platoon, and they also don’t like the idea of Joseph at 3B.  So they’re starting to groom Adams at 3rd, and if they don’t find a reasonable trade target in the next few days, he’ll be promoted on August 1st.  Pena will likely be sent down.

Also, read this interesting interview with Phil Hughes on FanGraphs.  Hughes talks about how his pitch repertoire his evolved since he was 15.  He certainly seems like he has a pretty good idea of the things he needs to do to be successful.  I feel confident he can figure it out, because he certainly seems to be aware of when things are/aren’t working, and very willing to continue to tinker to improve.

[40] Beat me to it. What he said there pretty well tracks what we all know, so that’s cool. I found it especially interesting when he mentioned mechanical issues stemming from a previous injury. So for him it’s less a general feeling of dread ie “What’s wrong with me, I’m never going to be as good as I used to be” and more of “I realize that an injury has forced me to make adjustments, so that’s what I have to do.” Minor point but psychologically it’s a difference.

[41] I found it interesting his comments on moving from slider to curve.  He indicated it was done b/c Contrearas felt it would work better as part of Hughes’s repertoire, where most previous reporting assume Yankees did it for health reasons.  Doesn’t mean that wasn’t part of the thinking, but it seems was done more for performance reasons.

I liked following his thought line, with the reasons he used to try to find different pitches.

[39] Dipping into AA for a call-up ? That strikes me as pretty unusual. It might be more likely they mean to bring Laird up, and then back-fill AAA with Adams.

[39] Could be a validation of SG’s theory. Change in philosophy on younger players as they realize that $189M ain’t happening unless you get production for $500k/year from some guys.

[43] I don’t think it’s that unusual.  Some recent players include Melky, Cervelli (I don’t think he had played an inning of AAA before they called him up in 2009), missing the name right now of that lefty who let up 4 consecutive HR.  I’m pretty sure a few others.  I think if say, Marshall opened 2013 in the starting rotation that would be unusual.  But I don’t think it’s that unusual for the Yankees to dip into AA for a short-term callup mid season.  Especially with a player like Adams who should have been at AAA years ago if not for the injuries.

At the same time, no I wouldn’t rule out a Laird call-up, with Adams becoming the full time 3B in AAA for if Laird fails.

45 Chase Wright?

[43] Especially with a player like Adams who should have been at AAA years ago if not for the injuries.

Plus Joseph is already at AAA getting everyday ABs as a 2B despite no being very good defensively.  AAA, for the Yankees at least, seems to be less of a developmental league and more of an extended bench.  Adams is already on the 40-man and has a bat that could probably play well enough against MLB pitching.  I think it’s a solid move and one that can pay dividends down the road in either getting a guy that can replace Chavez after this season and (maybe) Arod eventually or at least as a trade chip to help fill a hole.

[46] That’s him.  I was thinking Chase but I kept coming up with Whitley, which I knew wasn’t right since he’s currently a highly ranked prospect (for a reliever) in the Yankees’s system.  Thank you!

[47] AAA is part of the development cycle.  Just not a huge part.  Other than short fill-ins, they don’t skip AAA for players.  Whether the player is there for a handful of games or a full season depends on both the player and the needs on the major league team.

Also, I wouldn’t go too far in assuming that Adams’s move to 3B is permanent.  I think it is just as likely they’re showcasing Adams at 3B b/c one of the pieces AZ is supposedly looking for in an Upton swap is a ML ready 3B (remember last time Yankees moved a 2B to 3B to showcase for AZ?)  Or they could just be moving Adams off of 2nd to put Pierela at 2B full time, or…