Sunday, March 26, 2006
Cabrera and Thompson thriving
03/12/2006
TAMPA, Fla. -- There weren't many autographs to be had before the Yankees game against the Reds in Sarasota on Friday. But where there weren't recognizable faces, there was opportunity.
The Minor Leaguers at Yankees camp have been taking advantage of the opportunity to play while several of the team's superstars are participating in the World Baseball Classic. The periodic absences of Jason Giambi (calf), Gary Sheffield (hamstring) and Hideki Matsui (knee) have provided even more opportunities for youngsters.
"You're getting a chance to look at these kids with the number of at-bats they're getting early in the game compared to what they would be getting if you had your whole team healthy and here," manager Joe Torre said. "It's a little bit different, but you're getting to find out a little bit more than normal."
Melky Cabrera and Kevin Thompson are two examples of young players thriving in the situation, while starting center fielder Johnny Damon is playing in the Classic. Cabrera is hitting .333 with two doubles, while Thompson is hitting .409 with a double.
On the move: Pitcher Matt DeSalvo has been solid on the mound this spring. The right-hander, who spent 2005 with Double-A Trenton, pitched three shutout innings in a start against Philadelphia. In five scoreless innings of work, DeSalvo has a win and a save, while yielding just one hit.
They're No. 1: At the beginning of camp, 19-year-old right-hander Philip Hughes (23rd overall in 2004) was getting a lot of attention focused on his powerful fastball and mature-for-his-age attitude. In 3 1/3 innings split over two games, Hughes is 1-0 and has allowed just two runs on four hits, with three walks and two strikeouts.
Hughes was reassigned so that he'd be ready to join his Minor League team prior to Saturday's game against the Braves.
Corner infielder Eric Duncan (27th overall in 2003) is hitting .316 with 19 at-bats with a grand slam, two doubles and five RBIs. Catcher David Parrish (28th overall in 2000) is hitless in seven at-bats, with four strikeouts.
Class of '05: Pitcher J.B. Cox, the only member of of the Yanks' 2005 draft class in Major League camp, has appeared in three games this spring. The right-hander has one save and has allowed just one run in three innings, with a walk and two strikeouts.
Down and out: Infielder Russ Johnson is 0-for-9 in five games.
Stat machine: Infielder Danny Garcia is batting 1.000 after his first two games. The second baseman, a member of the Mets organization the last two seasons, is 4-for-4 with a walk. Garcia was also reassigned Saturday.
What they're saying: "I guess if [the Yankees in the World Baseball Classic] get back here, they're going to have to work their way back into the lineup. They'll have to wait their turn." -- Torre on how well his young players have played in the absence of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Damon and Bernie Williams
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
TAMPA, Fla. -- There weren't many autographs to be had before the Yankees game against the Reds in Sarasota on Friday. But where there weren't recognizable faces, there was opportunity.
The Minor Leaguers at Yankees camp have been taking advantage of the opportunity to play while several of the team's superstars are participating in the World Baseball Classic. The periodic absences of Jason Giambi (calf), Gary Sheffield (hamstring) and Hideki Matsui (knee) have provided even more opportunities for youngsters.
"You're getting a chance to look at these kids with the number of at-bats they're getting early in the game compared to what they would be getting if you had your whole team healthy and here," manager Joe Torre said. "It's a little bit different, but you're getting to find out a little bit more than normal."
Melky Cabrera and Kevin Thompson are two examples of young players thriving in the situation, while starting center fielder Johnny Damon is playing in the Classic. Cabrera is hitting .333 with two doubles, while Thompson is hitting .409 with a double.
On the move: Pitcher Matt DeSalvo has been solid on the mound this spring. The right-hander, who spent 2005 with Double-A Trenton, pitched three shutout innings in a start against Philadelphia. In five scoreless innings of work, DeSalvo has a win and a save, while yielding just one hit.
They're No. 1: At the beginning of camp, 19-year-old right-hander Philip Hughes (23rd overall in 2004) was getting a lot of attention focused on his powerful fastball and mature-for-his-age attitude. In 3 1/3 innings split over two games, Hughes is 1-0 and has allowed just two runs on four hits, with three walks and two strikeouts.
Hughes was reassigned so that he'd be ready to join his Minor League team prior to Saturday's game against the Braves.
Corner infielder Eric Duncan (27th overall in 2003) is hitting .316 with 19 at-bats with a grand slam, two doubles and five RBIs. Catcher David Parrish (28th overall in 2000) is hitless in seven at-bats, with four strikeouts.
Class of '05: Pitcher J.B. Cox, the only member of of the Yanks' 2005 draft class in Major League camp, has appeared in three games this spring. The right-hander has one save and has allowed just one run in three innings, with a walk and two strikeouts.
Down and out: Infielder Russ Johnson is 0-for-9 in five games.
Stat machine: Infielder Danny Garcia is batting 1.000 after his first two games. The second baseman, a member of the Mets organization the last two seasons, is 4-for-4 with a walk. Garcia was also reassigned Saturday.
What they're saying: "I guess if [the Yankees in the World Baseball Classic] get back here, they're going to have to work their way back into the lineup. They'll have to wait their turn." -- Torre on how well his young players have played in the absence of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Damon and Bernie Williams
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
