398 replies to this topic

[crow216]

Banuelos has struck out a lot of batters but he's giving up a ton of hits and walks this year at the AA level (and one AAA start). Why on earth did they promote him and why do they think he's worthy of a taste this year down the stretch? I just don't get it.

I think a September call up is fine. The reason is because he's close to his innings limit and can't start any further at any level very soon. If he's on the 40-man and gets a taste of the majors, that's relatively low risk and could be good for the kid.

As for Montero...He's been hitting much better lately and I think, based on how Girardi's tone in regard to the yankee offense was, that they might look for a lightning in the bottle upside with Montero.

[jon abbey]

Banuelos has struck out a lot of batters but he's giving up a ton of hits and walks this year at the AA level (and one AAA start). Why on earth did they promote him and why do they think he's worthy of a taste this year down the stretch? I just don't get it.

It's solely because he's lefty and they (rightly) don't trust Boone Logan. The thing is that Banuelos doesn't have a reverse split, his change is more effective to RHH, so it doesn't make much sense. I'd say the chance of him being on the postseason roster is under 10 percent.

[abty]

Banuelos won't be coming up. From what I recall, Girardi, when first asked about him, was a bit hesitant due to his age and where he is. I'm sure he may be open to it if the need arises but it's not likely that they will use him. Montero, though, as we all know, is destined to come up at some point. Oh, I am so excited. This is my excited face...

[terrynever]

Mason Williams with a triple and single tonight, now hitting .361. He turns 20 in two weeks.

[th@tkid]

Banuelos won't be coming up. From what I recall, Girardi, when first asked about him, was a bit hesitant due to his age and where he is. I'm sure he may be open to it if the need arises but it's not likely that they will use him. Montero, though, as we all know, is destined to come up at some point. Oh, I am so excited. This is my excited face...

Cashman is talking as if the plan is to bring him up. Not sure Girardi has the final say.

[terrynever]

Cashman is talking as if the plan is to bring him up. Not sure Girardi has the final say.

Tony Mazz interviewed Cashman on Thursday. They ran a clip this afternoon where Cashman talked about not bringing up young pitchers and throwing them into a pennant race. He specifically referenced Chase Wright, who he said never recovered from a thrashing at Fenway.

Nevertheless, Banuelos should get called up after Scranton's season ends. And that could be Sept. 7, because the playoffs don't seem to be in the cards. Montero might come up on Sept. 1. Just my guess.

Edited by terrynever, 05 August 2011 - 10:15 PM.

[th@tkid]

Tony Mazz interviewed Cashman on Thursday. They ran a clip this afternoon where Cashman talked about not bringing up young pitchers and throwing them into a pennant race. He specifically referenced Chase Wright, who he said never recovered from a thrashing at Fenway.

Nevertheless, Banuelos should get called up after Scranton's season ends. And that could be Sept. 7, because the playoffs don't seem to be in the cards. Montero might come up on Sept. 1. Just my guess.

Perhaps the writer is just jumping to conclusions but here is where I saw it,

But giving Banuelos a new challenge certainly isn’t the sole reason for promoting him now, or even the most important one in the eyes of the Yankees organization. Instead, it’s much more likely that the organization – led by general manager Brian Cashman, who was in the stands to watch Banuelos pitch – is seriously considering the possibility of promoting Banuelos to the majors sometime in the next few weeks as a left-hander in the bullpen. That would give Yankees manager Joe Girardi another option besides the ineffective Boone Logan.
Read more: http://www.nypost.co...N#ixzz1UDP3DBzb

[terrynever]

Perhaps the writer is just jumping to conclusions but here is where I saw it,

But giving Banuelos a new challenge certainly isn’t the sole reason for promoting him now, or even the most important one in the eyes of the Yankees organization. Instead, it’s much more likely that the organization – led by general manager Brian Cashman, who was in the stands to watch Banuelos pitch – is seriously considering the possibility of promoting Banuelos to the majors sometime in the next few weeks as a left-hander in the bullpen. That would give Yankees manager Joe Girardi another option besides the ineffective Boone Logan.
Read more: http://www.nypost.co...N#ixzz1UDP3DBzb

That story is already outdated. Logan answered the challenge tonight, and earlier this week in Chicago. Soriano is back, and he gets lefties out. There's no need for Banuelos now. He will get called up in September to get his feet wet.

Why are we always in a rush to call up the kids? It's completely opposite of what baseball people like Cashman and Girardi do. They prefer veterans.

[jon abbey]

It's completely opposite of what baseball people like Cashman and Girardi do. They prefer veterans.

That's not totally true. Girardi like most (all?) managers prefers the more known quantity of veterans, but Cashman's job is to maximize options while trying not to hurt the team short-term too much. Young guys can always be kept in the minors or sent back, but veterans once DFAd are often gone for good.

[terrynever]

That's not totally true. Girardi like most (all?) managers prefers the more known quantity of veterans, but Cashman's job is to maximize options while trying not to hurt the team short-term too much. Young guys can always be kept in the minors or sent back, but veterans once DFAd are often gone for good.

Certainly true. What struck me from the interview with Mazz was how proud Cashman was to have "saved all of our resources (prospects) at the trade deadline." This is one time when the Yankees didn't trade. All the experts talk about how the Yankees were losers at the trade deadline because they didn't make a move. If they do trade prospects, they get hammered for that. Cashman can't win either way.

Have I mentioned Mason Williams yet today?

[jon abbey]

All the experts talk about how the Yankees were losers at the trade deadline because they didn't make a move. If they do trade prospects, they get hammered for that. Cashman can't win either way.

He can certainly win if Nova and/or Hughes outperforms Jimenez/Bedard/Harden down the stretch, pretty underwhelming AL debut for Jimenez yesterday.

[terrynever]

He can certainly win if Nova and/or Hughes outperforms Jimenez/Bedard/Harden down the stretch, pretty underwhelming AL debut for Jimenez yesterday.

Thank God the Yanks didn't get Ubaldo and give up the farm! The whole baseball world would be laughing.

I can't believe how everything has come up aces for the Yankees lately, on and off the field. By not trading for Ubaldo, they retain guys like Banuelos and Nova. And then Nova unveils his new power slider while fanning 10 against Chicago. Hughes amped it up to 95 in his last start. Soriano comes back and goes 1-2-3 last night in Fenway. How long can this good news thing continue?

Montero is perking up at the plate, too. A fellow Yankee fan suggested to me that Cashman is just trying to get Posada through to Sept. 1 and then when the rosters expand, Montero will come up and start taking away his ABs. He thinks they don't want to end things badly with Jorgie.

[Meff Nelton]

Montero is perking up at the plate, too. A fellow Yankee fan suggested to me that Cashman is just trying to get Posada through to Sept. 1 and then when the rosters expand, Montero will come up and start taking away his ABs. He thinks they don't want to end things badly with Jorgie.

I'm as ruthless as the next guy, and was totally down to send Jeter off to the glue factory in the offseason. That being said, I totally agree with this sentiment.

Neither the Yankees nor Red Sox are really playing for anything meaningful at this point of the season. Jorge Posada is going to go down as a great for this franchise (and in my opinion, a deserved HOFer.) Why not show a little deference to him with such little at stake?

Besides, as excited as I am about Montero, I still have my doubts about a 21 yo in the midst of a slightly disappointing season at AAA proving to be a real alternative in his first cup of coffee in the first place.

Thankfully, we shall see soon enough.

[JohnnyK]

Neither the Yankees nor Red Sox are really playing for anything meaningful at this point of the season.

OT for this thread, but I disagree - they are playing for the right to avoid Texas in the ALDS; sure, the division winner will likely get to face Verlander twice, but I'd still much rather have them play the winner of the Central.

[terrynever]

OT for this thread, but I disagree - they are playing for the right to avoid Texas in the ALDS; sure, the division winner will likely get to face Verlander twice, but I'd still much rather have them play the winner of the Central.

We should start a thread on this subject elsewhere: Nobody wants to face Verlander twice in a 5-game division series. But you pick your poison in the playoffs. Texas has a deeper bullpen this year and no Cliff Lee. I prefer Texas over Verlander.

[jon abbey]

It is very bad karma to start that thread with 50+ games left in the season, so let's not do it. Also, the Angels are still very much in the race for the West.

[terrynever]

It is very bad karma to start that thread with 50+ games left in the season, so let's not do it. Also, the Angels are still very much in the race for the West.

Agreed.

[Wingack]

Weaver, Haren and Santana would not be fun to see in a five game series.

[terrynever]

Mason Williams 2-for-2 tonight with a walk and two SBs. Now hitting .368.

[terrynever]

Game's over: 3-for-4, now hitting .370.

[Meff Nelton]

Gary Sanchez is tearing up the Sally League right now. 6 HR in his last 8 games.

[jon abbey]

Pretty good second start for Banuelos in AAA, 6 7 2 1 0 5, 91 pitches/65 strikes.

[terrynever]

Pretty good second start for Banuelos in AAA, 6 7 2 1 0 5, 91 pitches/65 strikes.

No walks! That's a big improvement.

Mason Williams just made two outs in a row, 1-for-3 today with a walk.

[abty]

So what is the plan for Montero? DH or would he have to handle some catching duties? I figure full time D.H but I am not sure if they are ready to shed the catching duties from his future. What do you think is the plan and, if I may ask, what do YOU want to see? Personally, I would slot him as DH when Posada is gone and hope Arod/Tex can last another 3 years as position players.

[Bob420]

Posada might be done right now. Hopefully, Montero gets the call.

[Meff Nelton]

So what is the plan for Montero? DH or would he have to handle some catching duties? I figure full time D.H but I am not sure if they are ready to shed the catching duties from his future. What do you think is the plan and, if I may ask, what do YOU want to see? Personally, I would slot him as DH when Posada is gone and hope Arod/Tex can last another 3 years as position players.

I would love to see him be a league-average hitter, which would be remarkable considering his age and level, but very far from a sure thing. Anything beyond that is gravy.

[jon abbey]

Gary Sanchez is tearing up the Sally League right now. 6 HR in his last 8 games.

Two more tonight.

[jon abbey]

Betances was promoted to AAA tonight, he hasn't had a great year but he had his best start of the year last time out:

http://web.minorleag..._pbp&pid=476454

[terrynever]

Cool videos from a Trenton newspaper on Montero, Banuelos and Mason Williams:

http://minormatterst...elos-mason.html

[jon abbey]

Not sure how much of a prospect he is or isn't, but Tyler Austin went 6 for 6 today, including 3 doubles and a HR. That's a nice game at any level:

http://web.minorleag...staasx_lowasx_1

[terrynever]

Not sure how much of a prospect he is or isn't, but Tyler Austin went 6 for 6 today, including 3 doubles and a HR. That's a nice game at any level:

http://web.minorleag...staasx_lowasx_1

Lot less pressure on a 13th-round draft pick like Austin than there is on No. 1 Cito Culver, whose average has dropped into the .260s with Staten Island. Austin just came up from the Gulf Coast League and has around 52 ABs with Staten Island. His average went from .250-something to .328 with those six hits.

Mason Williams in a mild slump, average dropping to .351 or thereabouts. I asked a scout at McCoy about him yesterday and the scout said Williams is the talk of the NYP League and likely a fast climber, an AA player next year at age 20.

[jon abbey]

RAB has a new prospect ranking up, post-draft. Terry's boy Mason Williams is up all the way to 6th, he has a shot at making some top 100 lists this offseason.

http://riveraveblues...rospects-54405/

[gammoseditor]

RAB has a new prospect ranking up, post-draft. Terry's boy Mason Williams is up all the way to 6th, he has a shot at making some top 100 lists this offseason.

http://riveraveblues...rospects-54405/

Romine ahead of Gary Sanchez? I think he's both under rating Sanchez and over rating Romine.

[terrynever]

RAB has a new prospect ranking up, post-draft. Terry's boy Mason Williams is up all the way to 6th, he has a shot at making some top 100 lists this offseason.

http://riveraveblues...rospects-54405/

Mason turned 20 on Sunday so you can call him a man from now on, JA. Still haven't seen him play as work got in the way this weekend but he's playing again tonight in Lowell, where they whipped the Spinners by a 16-1 score yesterday.

People who thought he would lack power were just looking at his weight (150 pounds on a 6-foot frame) last summer and figured he's a slap hitter. His dad played three years for the Pats at 6 feet and 180 from 1985-87. I suspect Mason will grow into that size within a couple summers. Then what do the Yankees have?

[jon abbey]

Montero with 2 HRs and a double tonight, he evidently crushed the ball in all five ABs. His OPS is finally over .800 for the season, 5 HRs in 64 ABs in August.

[terrynever]

Montero with 2 HRs and a double tonight, he evidently crushed the ball in all five ABs. His OPS is finally over .800 for the season, 5 HRs in 64 ABs in August.

Red Sox were forced to bring up Lavarnway because of Papi's injury. Posada never got hurt, amazingly enough, blocking Montero until September. Advantage, Boston, because Lavarnway is getting a chance to see big league pitching during a pennant race.

[terrynever]

Montero with 2 HRs and a double tonight, he evidently crushed the ball in all five ABs. His OPS is finally over .800 for the season, 5 HRs in 64 ABs in August.

You didn't mention Freddy got his work in during the first game of this doubleheader. 4 innings, 8 hits, 2 runs. Looks like it was a good idea to give him a rehab start in the minors.

[jon abbey]

Garcia's line looks even worse since Warren before him and Brackman after him were pretty much untouchable.

Banuelos is pitching in the nightcap, 1-1 in the 3rd.

[jon abbey]

Betances with the rare BB/BB/K/K/BB/K inning in the first tonight. I really hope he pans out better than Daniel Cabrera.

[terrynever]

Betances with the rare BB/BB/K/K/BB/K inning in the first tonight. I really hope he pans out better than Daniel Cabrera.

Final line for Betances: 3 1 2 2 9 4.

9 walks in 3 innings. Daniel Cabrera is appalled at the comparison.

[jon abbey]

Another 2 HR game for Montero tonight, 7 in 77 August ABs now.

[terrynever]

Mason Williams got rained out tonight.

http://www.pawtucket...-island-yankees

[terrynever]

Mason Williams putting on another clinic tonight. 3 hits, throws a runner out at the plate. Now batting .360 with the season about to end early due to Irene.

Scranton getting swept by Pawtucket tonight. Montero 1-for-3 in the opener, sitting the nightcap. Aaron Laffey got rocked in Game 2.

update: williams ends up 4-for-5, now hitting .362 with about four games left in the regular season.

Edited by terrynever, 26 August 2011 - 09:04 PM.

[terrynever]

Banuelos one-hits PawSox in opener of twin bill Monday night. Montero homers. Betances pitching the nightcap against PawSox "rookie" Alex Wilson, who came up from Portland two weeks ago.

Mason Williams went 0-for-2 with a walk in Staten Island's first game today. Down to .360.

[terrynever]

Betances pitches a two-hitter in the nightcap and loses on a two-run homer by Lavarnway. That must have been an interesting AB or three between those two giants. Betances is 6-foot-8 and Lavarnway 6-foot-4.

Scranton split with Pawtucket, which has a two-game lead over Lehigh Valley with six games left in the regular season. PawSox hold the tiebreaker so they appear headed to next week's playoffs, barring a complete collapse.

[terrynever]

Manny Banuelos scheduled to pitch Saturday night in Pawtucket. He one-hit the PawSox last Monday night in Scranton. Banuelos has thrown 128 innings this season. If he can throw seven more in his season finale, that would be 135. Maybe the Yankees send him to the Arizona Fall League for 20 or 30 more innings. So if he makes the big league rotation in 2012, I guess he could safely pitch 180 innings without violating the Verducci Rule.

[terrynever]

Mason Williams is 4-for-9 in two NYP playoff games and made a Willie Mays-like catch in deep CF last night during a loss to Brooklyn. Here's a link to the story where the Staten Island manager describes the catch in his nightly report to the player development folks:

http://www.silive.co...s_blank_br.html

Also, Williams slumped late in the season and finished second in the batting race to Brooklyn's Daniel Muno, a 22-year-old college kid from Fresno State who hit .355 to Williams's .349. Williams turned 20 in late August. Muno is the guy Williams robbed of extra bases with his great catch in the playoff opener. Brooklyn won Game 2 so Game 3 will be played tonight. Winner meets the Auburn Doubledays in the NYP title series next week.

Edited by terrynever, 10 September 2011 - 11:24 AM.

[jon abbey]

NY has the top two prospects in the GCL according to BA, Dante Bichette Jr. and Ravel Santana:

http://www.baseballa...11/2612381.html

[terrynever]

Mason Williams on the cover of PinstripesPlus Fall Magazine. The hype begins now. Once you have a big season in the low minors, the pressure is on to keep succeeding at the next level and the one after that. I think all baseball fans like to follow the minor leaguers, which is why most of us want to see Montero in the Yankees' lineup in 2012. If the playoffs proved anything this year, it's that the offense needs a transfusion of young blood.

Edited by terrynever, 09 October 2011 - 09:46 PM.