Will we dodge any of the fearsome mound troika?

Great game by CC, a true ‘Ace’.

Nice to pick up a win out of this series. Glad to see Cano keep hitting bombs during his mini-slump.

Don’t know if anyone saw Goldstein’s chat today over at BPro, but he had this to say:

“Greg34 (Cedar Falls, Iowa): KG - Gary ‘too hot’ Sanchez already 2-2 w/ bb today against Zeke Spruill. Seems like he can already hit more advanced pitching. Is he in your Yankees top 5?

Kevin Goldstein: Well, overall, it’s been a very, very good year down on the Yankee farm, will guys like Brackman, Betances, Laird, Noesi, Phelps, Stoneburner and more all enhancing their reputation. I’m not going to commit to a ranking yet, but I look forward to delving in during the off-season. That said, Sanchez has been GREAT.”

He’s also had some nice things to say about Culver the past couple of days. I’d say the system has taken a pretty big step forward after being down due to graduating/trading a lot of talent the last couple of years.

dunno if this has been posted, but

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/06/29/magazine/rivera-pitches.html?ref=magazine

great visual article on god (MO)

Revised Top 25 Prospects of 2010:

7/01/2010 7:39 PM ET By Frankie Piliere

5. JESUS MONTERO (C), YANKEES
Age: 20 | Bats: R | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225 | Previous: 5
2010 Stats: .250 AVG | 6 HR | 32 RBI | .313 OBP | 0 SB
Current Level: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A International League)
The Skinny: Triple-A has proven to be the toughest challenge yet for Montero, who previously had cruised through every level. He has come alive of late, though, and we’re beginning to see that huge offensive potential once again.

[....]

15. AUSTIN ROMINE (C), YANKEES
Age: 21 | Bats: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195 | Previous: 45
2010 Stats: .290 AVG | 5 HR | 42 RBI | .370 OBP | 1 SB
Current Level: Trenton (Double-A Eastern League)
The Skinny: If you look at his minor-league track record, Romine has really been a model of consistency, and that counts for a lot in the prospect world. He continues to hit very well in Double-A and play exceptionally well behind the dish. Having this luxury of multiple top-flight catching prospects could allow the Yankees to pull off a big trade.

[...]

25. GARY SANCHEZ (C), YANKEES
Age: 17 | Bats: R | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195 | Previous: Unranked
2010 Stats: .424 AVG | 3 HR | 11 RBI | .525 OBP | 0 SB
Current Level: GCL Yankees (Rookie Gulf Coast League)
The Skinny: Three Yankee catchers in one list? That’s right. Sanchez was the only rookie level player I felt comfortable including based on what I’ve seen from him and the rave reviews he’s getting early on in his first pro season. This is another potential impact bat at the catching position for the Yankees, and although it’s a gamble to rank him this high, he has that type of upside.

Not that it means much, but the Phillies are the only other team with three people on that list.

[6] Arodys Vizcaino at #18, also.

I believe in Jesus. You know, the catcher.

(4) Thanks JC. It’s now on my fb page.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=11354

Future Shock: Top 11 Prospects Still in the Minors

Why He’s Here: Montero has just started to hit this year, batting .287/.330/.511 in June, but for a 20-year-old in Triple-A, he remains one of the more impressive offensive prospects in the game, with barrel control and raw power well beyond his years. Few scouts I’ve talked to have lowered their scouting scores in any way.
Nitpicking: Montero continues to improve behind the plate, but it’s unlikely he’ll be good enough to play there every day in the big leagues, as he leads the International League in passed balls and has thrown out just 22 percent of opposing basestealers while constantly getting run on.
Future: If he can’t fit at catcher, it’s unsure what Montero’s future is with the Yankees, considering first baseman Mark Teixeira’s long-term deal. Is he the best trade chip in baseball, or is he untouchable?

it’s unsure what Montero’s future is with the Yankees, considering first baseman Mark Teixeira’s long-term deal.

Teixeira’s still with the Yankees? Hadn’t noticed.

[8] You said it, man.

[12] Eight year olds, Dude.

Varitek to DL with a broken foot, out for 6 weeks. The Sox will be without Pedroia, Martinez, Varitek, Lowell, Elsbury and Beckett until the break, and most of them won´t return before mid August. How long can the subs keep winning? I feel like there is room for us getting a little breathing space before they heal.

How long can the subs keep winning? I feel like there is room for us getting a little breathing space before they heal.

You are underestimating how many aces, and position player prospects Boston have. And underestimating WOE.

Mo, however, is still Mo.

I for one will not be satisfied until the consensus top 25 prospects in baseball are all Yankees catchers.

Interesting season so far, no?  Seems like legit races in every division, in some cases 3 or even 4 contenders.

[7] He has a partial ligament tear in his elbow.

Hey, they are allowed to win games against the Mariners. Neato!

Neyer offering a look at the Joba/Hughes rules, through the prism of how King Felix was developed.

[16] Like.

[19] The Mariners don’t need sweeps, as long as they keep winning series they can run out their house money lineup before the travel day.

[18] Yeah, saw that. I wonder if that makes him damaged goods, and then I further wonder if Cashman et al didn’t like something in his delivery that made them think injury would occur.

In other prospect news, it look like Moseley coming up has pushed David Phelps up to AAA.

http://blogs.thetimes-tribune.com/yankees/?p=5712

[22]  Thanks!  I have a game Saturday, not sure if I’ll be lucky enough to see Phelps.  Not checking now, but I know he pitched a few days ago so I think either Sat or Sun would be his normal day.

Mosely isn’t going to knock anyone’s socks off in the Bronx, but I think he’ll be AT LEAST as reliable as Park or Gaudin have been so far.  Throws low 90’s, decent command, decent off-speed stuff.

They now have the Yankees’ entry in a series on THT about “virutal” teams.  They’re a kind of “what would have been”.  E.g. if the Yankees hadn’t traded away Phelps, etc.  A good read, especially for those of us following the team in that timeframe, as it reminds us why we’re glad George isn’t in charge!

Part One

Part Two

[5] Rich, you forgot to highlight the obligatory Red Sox fawning that accompanies any baseball article:

#
21. CASEY KELLY (RHP), RED SOX
Age: 19 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | Previous: 24
2010 Stats: 1-3 W-L | 5.05 ERA | 57 IP | 53 SO | 21 BB
Current Level: Portland (Double-A Eastern League)
The Skinny: I had serious doubts about placing Kelly on this list, but ultimately it came down to his track record. Kelly has not been good at all in Double-A this year, but for now we can chalk it up to growing pains. He’s still a top-flight pitching prospect, and although he may not be the No. 1 starter some project him to be, his potential is outstanding.

Don´t feel like a Yankees win would be much helpful today for my humor, but a loss certainly will be taken personally. They cannot do this to me on this day. I really hope the players are aware of my needs.