Minor League Playoff Update - 9/10

Scranton and Trenton both began their championship series last night in their respective leagues. The International League showdown pits the Yankees and the Rays' top farm team, the Durham Bulls. The Yankees built a 6-2 lead behind Chase Wright's strong six innings and a potent offense against stud starter David Price, but the Scranton bullpen coughed up five runs in the seventh inning and suddenly the Bulls had a 7-6 lead.

The Yankees rallied in the ninth though, tying the game when Tim Battle doubled home pinch-runner Chris Basak from second base. Then it was Eric Duncan's turn to play hero, and he came through, lining a single to right to score Battle with the game winner. The victory gave Scranton a 1-0 lead in the Governor's Cup final. Kevin Czerwinski of mlb.com has more.

Trenton meanwhile got another big start from Eric Hacker in taking the Eastern League final opener, 3-1 over the Akron Aeros. Hacker allowed a run on three hits over six innings and is now 2-0, 1.54 in his two post-season starts. Chris Malec drove in two runs and Ramiro Pena enjoyed a 3-hit night. Jhonny Nunez recorded the final four outs for the save.

Staten Island has been eliminated in two games in their quest for the New York-Penn League title. The Jamestown Jammers jumped out to an 8-1 lead after just two innings in game one and held on for a 10-7 win. Mitch Abeita and Mike Lyon homered in a losing cause.

Game two showcased much better pitching on both sides, but the Baby Bombers came out on the wrong end of a 4-1 score. The Jammers again jumped out to a quick lead, with a three run first inning against Jon Albaladejo. Elih Villanueva dominated the Baby Bombers, limiting them to one unearned run and four hits over six innings, while striking out 10. Jeremy Bleich was a bright spot for S.I. though, throwing four scoreless innings in relief.

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Yankees Ink Bleich

According to Baseball America, the Yankees have agreed to terms with their first round pick Jeremy Bleich. The Yankees top pick, Gerrit Cole, opted to attend UCLA and re-enter the draft next season.

Bleich reportedly did not exceed MLB’s bonus recommendation for his No. 44 slot, believed to be $863,000.

Update 8/16 12:42 PM EDT

Second round pick Scott Bittle, as expected, returned to the University of Mississippi.

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The Daily Yankeeland - 8/15

Hideki Matsui's rehab assignment couldn't kick off yesterday due to rain.

Tyler Kepner reports that Yankees' top pick in this year's amateur draft, Gerrit Cole, has opted to attend UCLA instead of signing with the Yankees. Ed Price reports that a source close to second pick in the first round, Jeremy Bleich, says he wants to sign with the Bombers. Negotiations with second rounder Scott Bittle are said to be far apart. Makes you wonder if the Yankees did more harm than good when they gave sixth round selection Brett Marshall an 850K bonus.

Darrell Rasner will get another start next Tuesday, meaning Phil Hughes will definitely make his minor league start on Sunday.

Dan Giese has been diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis.

Joba Chamberlain will begin his throwing program today, but you have to wonder if it would be smarter just to shut him down for the final month and a half of the season.

The Yankees will open their new Stadium on April 16 against the Cleveland Indians. The season starts on the road in Baltimore.

In an interview yesterday, Jon Heyman referred to Robinson Cano as the most overrated player in MLB right now. That's a stinging criticism, but you can see why Heyman is saying it. Cano is clearly wasting his talent and it would not be surprising if the Yankees moved him this winter.

Update 4:15 PM EDT

The Yankees have fired two Latin American scouts as part of the on-going kickback scandal.

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Breathe In Breath Out

No Yankees baseball today. No chance to lose and drop another game in the standings. Woo hoo!

Go to the park, read a bike, wash the car, play with your pets.

For tomorrow they play again.


Derek Jeter says he will play in tomorrow's series opener with the Royals.

Anthony McCarron knows that Hank is the kinder, gentler Steinbrenner.

Phil Hughes will have a 100 pitch count when he takes the mound for Scranton on Sunday. Carl Pavano will go again for Trenton then as well.

Hideki Matsui is scheduled to start a rehab assignment today.

Tomorrow is the deadline for signing 2008 amateur draftees. The Yankees top two picks, pitchers Gerrit Cole and Jeremy Bleich, remain unsigned. Scott Boras(s) is their agent.

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Bleich Impresses in College World Series

Yankees 2008 2nd round draft pick Jeremy Bleich was impressive on Saturday in Stanford's opening round College World Series win over Florida State. Though he didn't figure in the 16-5 decision, Bleich allowed just a run in 5 innings while striking out 7. It was the first run Bleich had allowed in 25.2 innings. He left an impression on Seminoles head coach Mike Martin.

"I was very impressed with Bleich," Martin said. "He spotted his fastball all day and threw some crucial curveballs. His strikeout of (Buster) Posey was the best curve he threw all day. He felt the challenge and he answered it."

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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

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