With the 140th pick - Corban Joseph

The Yankees went back to the high school ranks to select SS Corban Joseph, the 140th pick overall, in the 3rd round. The 6'0", 168 pounder is a product of Franklin High School in Tennessee. Joseph had committed to the University of Kentucky, but he told Tennessean.com that he will likely go pro.

I've always wanted to play professional ball," said Joseph, who hit .510 with 15 home runs and was The Tennessean's Midstate Player of the Year. "I'm pretty sure I will go."

"I want my swing to look good," said Joseph, The Tennessean 2008 baseball player of the year.

"I can tell when my swing is off. I can look at it on video and tell what I did."And more important — he can correct it."Corban is a pure and natural talent at swinging the bat," Franklin assistant coach Kurt Jones said. "He has the potential to be a great hitter in the major leagues. The reason why is every pitch he makes an adjustment."High school kids don't normally do that."They also don't normally spend hours looking at video clips from multiple angles, dissecting every part of a swing. And they don't call up an assistant like Jones throughout the season for extra batting practice.

Share

Wake Up Cano

The Yankees used their 3rd round pick to take 2nd Baseman David Adams, from the U. of Virginia.

From mlb.com

2nd Baseman David Adams, U. of VA

Player Name: David Adams
Position: Second base


School: University of Virginia
School Type: College
Academic Class: Junior
Birthdate: 05/15/87
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Report Date(s): 05/09/08
Game(s): North Carolina


Focus Area

Comments
Hitting Ability: While Adams hasn't had a great season with the bat this spring, he's always hit in the past, including with wood in the Cape Cod League. His approach is going the other way and using his hands for contact.
Power: It's not a big part of his game, but like with a lot of Virginia players, he'll probably show more -- 10 to 15 homers, perhaps -- once he's out of UVA's huge home park.
Running Speed: He's got below-average speed.
Base running: While speed is not a tool, he's a good baserunner who has used his instincts to steal some bases in college.
Arm Strength: He's got more than enough arm to be a good second baseman at the next level.
Fielding: He's adequate at second, with good hands and turns the double play well.
Range: His range is just average.
Physical Description: Adams is a decent-sized middle infielder who isn't flashy but gets the job done
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: History of good hitting ability, great makeup, plays the game the right way.
Weaknesses: He hasn't hit well this spring, he doesn't have any one tool that jumps out.
Summary: The University of Virginia has become a good proving ground for legit pro prospects in recent years, and while Adams isn't Ryan Zimmerman, he should do pretty well in this year's Draft. A solid hard-nosed type, he gets the ultimate praise from scouts as being a real "baseball player." He's hit in the past, but didn't fare so well this season, which might affect him somewhat, but likely not too much.

Share

Pick No. 75 - Scott Bittle

With their 2nd round selection in the first day of drafting, the Yankees continued to stock pitching. Scott Bittle, a 6'1", 190 lb right-hander from 'Ole Miss was the choice.

From the Clarion Ledger:

Bittle became one of the nation's elite relievers this season. He struck out 130 batters in just 70 2/3 innings, finishing with a 7-1 record and eight saves.

From OleMiss.edu:

Bittle took the Southeastern Conference by storm this season, leading the league in strikeouts with 118 in the season and finished with 130 following the NCAA Regional in Miami. The 130 strikeouts is third on the single season list. Bittle posted a 7-1 record and picked up eight saves on the year, putting him seventh on the single season saves list. His 15 saves for his career is third all-time.

Bittle was named an All-SEC second team selection as a reliever this year and was named as a finalist for the Stopper of the Year and a semi-finalist for the Clemens Award.

“It’s a great honor to be selected by the New York Yankees,” Bittle said. “I grew up watching them and love the style of play and the tradition of being a Yankee. It’s a really great time for me and want to thank the Yankees for selecting me. I also want to thank Coach Bianco and the Ole Miss baseball family for giving me the opportunity to take this step.”

2007: Made 28 appearances on the season, including 25 relief appearances and three starts ... Posted a 2-5 record on the year with seven saves ... His seven saves tied for second most in the Southeastern Conference on the year ... His 25 appearances was fifth in the SEC ... His 18 games finished was fifth in the SEC ... Struck out 59 and walked only 17 in 42.0 IP while turning in an ERA of 2.79 ... Picked up the win in his first start against Murray State (4/24) ... The performance against Murray State was his most dominant as he stuck out five and walked none with only one hit in 3.0 IP ... Posted saves against No. 21 Evansville (2/18), Memphis (2/20), Belmont (2/27), No. 5 Arkansas (3/2), Austin Peay (3/6), No. 23 UCLA (3/11) and South Alabama (3/20) ... Pitched a season long 7.0 innings in a start against No. 1 Vanderbilt in the semi-finals of the SEC Tournament ... NCAA POSTSEASON: Drew the start in the NCAA Oxford Regional Championship Game against Sam Houston State ...

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Lettered two years at Northeast Texas Community College under head coach Chris Smith ... Named an All-Conference selection ... Selected to participate in the Texas-New Mexico All-Star Game ... Posted a 6-4 record in 11 appearances with a 4.24 ERA in 2005 ... Posted 67 strikeouts and walked only 23 in 58.0 IP ...

HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time letterwinner at Texas High School under head coach Glenn Welch ... Selected to the All-District Team ... Posted a 5-3 record with two saves in 12 appearances ... Struck out 77 and walked 43 in 55 innings of work with a 2.08 ERA as a senior in 2004 ...

MISCELLANEOUS: Son of Joe and Nancy Bittle ... Born: August 27, 1986 ... Has one sister, Stacy (22) ... Graduated Cum Laude from Texas High ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Played summer league ball for the Mineral Wells Steam and was selected to play in the Texas Collegiate League All-Star Game ... Major is Psychology.

Share

Yankees 2nd Pick - Jeremy Bleich

The Yankees took left-handed pitcher Jeremy Bleich (Stanford U) with the 1st round compensation pick they got for Luis Vizcaino.

Peter Abraham has a Q&A with Stanford Daily writer Wyndam Makowsky about Bleich.

From Stanford.edu:

Parents: Stan and Caron Bleich
Major: Economics
I would describe myself as a person as: Funny, competitive, intelligent, hard-working and diligent
The reason I love baseball is: It's a game of failure and you need to learn how to deal with failure in order to succeed, just like you do in life
The reason I chose Stanford is: It's the best academic and athletic combination in the country
I pattern my game after: Andy Pettitte
Greatest Athletic Moment: Representing the United States in Mexico for the Pan Am Championships
The biggest thrill of my life to date is: Going into the Astros' clubhouse and meeting four of the players
The best thing about Stanford is: The care of the administration about both athletics and academics
Favorite Movie: The Sandlot
Favorite Book: Moneyball
What sets Stanford Baseball apart from other collegiate baseball programs is: Hard work
The person I admire most is: My father
The thing I love most about baseball is: Even when you fail your next chance is right around the corner
My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be: Throwing a shutout in the College World Series
Best Advice Received: Don't be good, be great
Advice To Youngsters: Don't let anyone outwork you
For me to improve as a player, I need to: Be more consistent
My parents were right when they told me: Hard work eventually pays off
Did You Know? Jeremy attended the K-12 Isidore Newman School for 13 years
I am most thankful in life for: My health
Earliest Baseball Memory: Playing tee-ball at age five

Share

Beckham Will Top Amateur Draft

MLB.com reports that the Tampa Rays will select high school shortstop Tim Beckham with the 1st pick in this afternoon's amateur draft. The Rays have confirmed that Beckham will be the pick. The draft kicks off this afternoon at 2 P.M. EDT.

Share

Yankees Sign No. 1 Pick

From Baseball America:

Yanks Get Brackman Done

Posted Aug. 15, 2007 3:16 pm by John Manuel
Filed under: Signings

The Newark Star-Ledger’s Dan Graziano and Ed Price–a former BA staffer, in the interest of full disclosure–have reported that the Yankees have signed their first-round pick, righthander Andrew Brackman. Baseball America has confirmed the contract’s details with another source with knowledge of the deal.The former North Carolina State two-sport talent signed a major league contract, worth a guaranteed $4.5 million with a $3.3 million bonus.

However, that’s the low-end guarantee. Even though Brackman might need elbow surgery–he’s in Birmingham, Ala., right now to see Dr. James Andrews–the Yankees have signed him to a deal that could be worth up to $13 million when escalator clauses and team options are included.
It’s a significant contract for the 6-foot-10 pitcher and Boras Corporation client, who went 6-4, 3.81 for the Wolfpack this spring in a career-high 78 innings. Brackman played basketball and baseball his first two seasons at N.C. State, limiting him to 71 innings combined. He appeared to wear down under the heavier workload this spring, withering down the stretch. However, at his best, Brackman had some of the best stuff and athleticism of any pitcher in the draft, touching 99 mph at times with his fastball and flashing a plus spike curveball.

Brackman’s deal leaves seven unsigned first-round picks: Nos. 1 (David Price, Devil Rays), 2 (Mike Moustakas, Royals) and 3 (Josh Vitters, Cubs) overall; No. 5 pick Matt Wieters (Orioles); and Nos. 9 (Jarrod Parker, Diamondbacks), 11 (Phillippe Aumont, Rockies) and 12 (Matt Dominguez, Marlins).

Share

Yankees Draft Rounds 6 - 10

The Yankees selected high school catcher Richard Weems in the 6th round of today's 2nd phase of the baseball amateur draft. Weems, from Columbus, GA, has committed to the U. of Alabama for this Fall, but of course all that can change with a nice signing bonus. Weems has gotten very high marks for his defense.

The 7th round selection was infielder Damon Sublett of Wichita St. University. The junior 2nd Baseman was the Missouri Valley Conference's player of the year in 2006.

Here's a write up from Scout.com from this past May:

2B - Damon Sublett (LH - .372 - 4 - 38 - 11) is one of team's best hitters along with Schermerhorn. Sublett is a very good all around player - hitting, running, fielding - and is also thought highly of by MLB scouts as a pitcher (although he hasn't pitched much this year after having arm problems last year). Sublett is also very patient at the plate, leading the team in walks. He usually hits 3rd but sometimes leads off.

The 8th round selection was Taylor Grote, a senior outfielder for Woodlands (Texas) High School.

This is a little worrysome - he answered a questionnaire "Boston Red Sox" for the one team you could pick to be on..and Big Papi is his favorite player. We'll just have to break him.

Grote has signed a letter of intent to the U. of Texas.


No, not an actor on the Sopranos. It's the Yankees 9th rd pick - Austin Krum, a junior centerfielder from independent college Dallas Baptist University. Krum was a 1st team member for the all-independent team.

Krum named to the team because of his play in centerfield, led the Patriots in hits (82), doubles (17), triples (8), total bases (142), and slugging percentage (.594), while he compiled the second highest batting average on the team (.343).

Krum patterns his game after Indians' centerfielder Grady Sizemore.


The 10th round pick is Louisianna high school standout Carmen Angelini of Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La.. Gatorade joined with RISE Magazine to name senior infielder CARMEN ANGELINI of BARBE HIGH in Lake Charles as its 2006-07 Louisiana Baseball Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-1 and 185-pound senior infielder carried the Bucs (35-5) as high as the No. 5 ranking in this spring’s USA Today national poll. Barbe’s season ended in the Class 5A state tournament quarterfinals, but Angelini scored 58 runs in 40 games and drove home 52, clouting six home runs and a school-record eight triples.

Playing shortstop in 2007, he mashed 28 extra-base hits among the 65 times he reached safely, amassing a .443 batting average, a .500 on-base percentage and slugging .753—striking out just five times in 160 at-bats. He flashed his speed often on the base paths, stealing 38 bases in 42 attempts. He was the state’s Mr. Baseball in 2007 and was also named the Class 5A MVP as selected by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

He's committed to Rice University for this Fall.

Share

Yankees Hope to Know Him From Adam

The Yankees used their 5th round pick in the amateur draft to select pitcher Adam Olbrychowski of Pepperdine University.

From CSTV.com

CAREER: Used as a starter and out of the bullpen during three seasons at Pepperdine . . . Gained valuable experience working primarily out of the bullpen in 2005 . . . Used out of the bullpen and as a starter in 2006 and 2007 . . . Possesses a live arm and has great velocity . . . Ranks 13th in program history with a .268 opponents' batting average . . . Part of a 2004 Pepperdine recruiting class that was ranked No. 7 nationally by Baseball America . . . Enjoyed a standout career at Cleveland High in Los Angeles.

2007: Named All-West Coast Conference (WCC) . . . Posted a 5-3 record, 2.90 ERA and one save while making career-high 22 appearances, including four starts . . . . Established career-highs for innings pitched (68.1), wins and strikeouts (41)

Share

Yanks Suttle for a 3rd Baseman in 4th Round

The Yankees used their 4th round pick to choose 3B Bradley Suttle from the U. of Texas-Austin.

This season, Suttle has earned first-team ABCA All-Midwest Region and first-team All-Big 12. Suttle posted a .359 batting average with 49 runs, 17 doubles, 12 home runs and 68 RBI. The switch-hitter logged a .450 on-base percentage and a .603 slugging percentage.

Share

Is the Pope a Pitcher?

The Yankees used the 124th pick in yesterday's amateur draft to choose pitcher Ryan Pope from Savannah College of Art & Design.

Here was the write up in today Savannah Morning News:

Right-handed pitcher is 124th player picked in First-Year Player Draft

Disappointment only lasted a few moments for Savannah College of Art and Design right-hander Ryan Pope on Thursday.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder thought he might get selected in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft by a team that saw him often while pitching with the Bees.

But the New York Yankees called on the next pick - late in the third round with the 124th selection in the draft overall.

"I'm excited," said Pope, the first SCAD baseball player ever selected in the draft. "It's always been a dream to play professional baseball."

The Yankees were one of three teams he worked out for individually.

But Pope thought the New York Mets, the Sand Gnats' parent club, might select him with the 123rd selection.

When the Yankees rang, he was so discombobulated the phone call got cut off.

It wasn't a problem. The Yankees called back.

The entire professional baseball world learned what the Bradenton, Fla., resident could do during the 2007 collegiate season.

He compiled a 9-5 record with a 1.15 ERA, the third-best average in NAIA, while throwing 102 innings.

Pope's control was equally outstanding. He struck out 122 and walked only 13.

SCAD coach Doug Wollenburg said Pope has already mastered four pitches - a fastball, curve, change and slider. Pope threw his fastball 90-93 mph.

"He has good velocity, and he can hold it for nine innings," said Wollenburg.

Pope was an NAIA All-American and was named Florida Sun Conference Player of the Year this season.

Pope will be the second SCAD player in professional baseball. Charlie Zink, who was signed as a free agent in 2002, has split this season with Class AA Portland (Maine) and Class AAA Pawtucket (R.I.) in the Boston Red Sox organization.

Pope's selection continues the area's success in the June draft. Last season, former Portal star pitcher Brooks Brown (then at Georgia) was picked in the supplemental round (between the first and second rounds) with the 34th selection by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

GSU's Dustin Evans (Braves, second round), GSU's Everett Teaford (Kansas City, 12th round), South Effingham's Josh Reddick (Boston, 17th round) and Brunswick's Jay Brown (Tampa Bay, 18th round) also were drafted last season.

Share

Yankees Grab Catcher with 94th Pick

The Yankees took catcher Austin Romine with their second pick (94th overall) in yesterday 1st phase of the amateur draft. Here's some scouting info courtesy of Minor League Baseball.com

Share

Yankees Select Future Big Unit

The Yankees have taken 6'10" right-hander Andrew Brackman with their first round pick, 30th overall, in today's amateur baseball draft.

Here's info from minorleaguebasell.com in February.

Share