Minor League Recap - 4/22

Darrell Rasner and the Jose Veras out dueled Twins prospect Glen Perkins in the Yankees 3-0 win over Rochester. Rasner allowed just 2 hits in 8 innings and struck out 5 to improve to 3-0, 0.72. He should be the first choice to replace either Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, or Mike Mussina if they continue to struggle. Jason Lane hit his 6th home run for the Yankees.

Trenton used two home runs and a triple to rally from a 4-0 deficit, but the Binghamton Mets won it with a run in the 9th, 5-4 over the Thunder. Matt Carson and P.J. Pilittere had the home runs.

After throwing 2 straight shutouts, the Tampa Yankees were blanked by the Clearwater Threshers (Phillies), 6-0. The Yankees made 3 errors that lead to 4 unearned runs. Edwin Nunez had 2 of the team's 5 hits.

Charleston took 3 of 4 from Columbus, topped off by last night's 7-2 win over the Catfish. Carmen Angelini and Brandon Laird lead a 15-hit River Dogs attack with 3 hits each. Rutgers alum David Williams, and Taylor Holiday drove in 2 runs each. Noel Castillo went 7 innings to improve to 3-0, 2.28.

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Master of the Bullpen Dojo

Mariano Rivera is arguably the greatest closer off all time. There's no doubt he's the greatest at the position in the post-season. But what makes Mo even greater, is his desire to work with his teammates to help make them better. As the Star-Ledger's Dan Graziano explains, it's become a second full-time job.

"Look," Rivera will say, pointing to the batting cage as he delivers one of his standard lessons. "It's batting practice. They know what pitch is coming. And they still don't hit a home run every time."

That's Mariano Rivera working with his fellow bullpen mates on the mental aspect of the game. It's his way of telling them, "don't be afraid to throw strikes." Mo's teachings have had a great impact on his teammates, both young and old. Veteran Luis Vizcaino turned his season around last year after Mo became his personal tutor.

"He's a great speaker, and he just has a way of getting his point across," Joba Chamberlain said the other day, at his locker next to Rivera's in the Legends Field home clubhouse. "It's powerful, forward and to the point. And you get completely engrossed in what he's saying."

"The greatest thing about Mariano Rivera is, after he says 'Hi,' the second word he tells you is something good for you," Yankees reliever Jose Veras said. "The second thing that comes out of his mouth is something to make you better. It's hard to find people like him."

When Mo broke into the bigs in 1995, Yankees closer John Wetteland took him under his wing. Now it's Mo's turn to help bring the kids along. Edwar Ramirez follows him around like a younger brother. Mo takes this role very seriously.

"A lot of people feel the same way and do the same things," Rivera said. "I just think it's important for guys to know the right way to play the game. Not that I know everything about that, but I think I do know some things."

Whether or not he wants to remain in baseball past his playing days remains to be seen, but some team would very lucky to have Mariano Rivera on their coaching staff.

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Winter League Roundup

We now bring you up to date on how the Yankees' players and prospects are doing south of the border.

Dominican

Wilson Betemit (Leones del Escogido)
Hasn't played since we checked in last. Sitting at .286-2-7

Jose Veras (Leones del Escogido)
Has thrown just 1 inning since our last update, but has still not allowed a run (8.2 IP). He's also got 13 Ks.

Edwar Ramirez (Tigres del Licey)
Still has not appeared in any games since his initial 3.

Robinson Cano (Estrellas de Oriente)
The Cano Kid is a recent addition to the Estrellas team. He's ripping away at .350 (14-40) with 3 doubles and 3 RBI.

Mexico

Tim Lavigne (Algodoneros de Guasave)
Lowered his ERA from 2.22 to 1.88 in 28.2 innings, and picked up his 8th save.

Venezuela

Justin Pope (Bravos de Margarita)
Has not appeared since our last update. Has allowed just 2 earned runs in 23.1 innings pitched. His 0.94 WHIP and 0.77 ERA, in 22 appearances, are among the league's best.

Alberto Gonzalez (Bravos de Margarita)
Has been on a tear, raising his average from .304 to .347. Of his 41 hits, 12 are for extra bases.

Francisco Cervelli (Cardenales de Lara)
Has gone 3-11 to raise his average to .212. Has also drawn 10 walks.

Edwar Gonzalez (Cardenales de Lara)
Average has dropped to .238. Has batted just 5 times since our last update.

Scott Patterson (Cardenales de Lara)
We missed this one earlier. For some reason, MiLB has him listed as property of Seattle for some reason. Has a 2-2 record with 2 saves and a 1.69 ERA in 21.1 IP. Patterson has walked just 2 while striking out 17.

Marcos M. Vechionacci (Navegantes del Magallanes)
Hitting .270 with 12 RBI (just 1 since last update). 9 of his 27 hits are for extra bases.

What's really remarkable about the winter leagues are the players that were once in MLB and now still play in the South or Central America in the winter. Guys like Luis Polonia and Fernando Valenzuela. And in Venezuela, on Aguilas de Zulia, you'll find Bill Pulsipher and Rich Garces.

Bobby Abreu (Leones del Caracas)
Has made just one appearance and was 0-3. No idea whether or not he'll play any more.

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Caribbean Beisbol Update

We now bring you up to date on how the Yankees' players and prospects are doing south of the border.

Dominican

Wilson Betemit (Leones del Escogido)
Betemit has gone just 3-19 since we checked in last, but has struck out just once in that time. Overall, he's hitting .286-2-7.

Jose Veras (Leones del Escogido)
Veras has not allowed an earned run in 7.2 innings of winter ball, and has struck out 12.

Edwar Ramirez (Tigres del Licey)
Has not had an appearance since we checked in last.

Mexico

Tim Lavigne (Algodoneros de Guasave)
Has pitched to a 2.22 ERA in 24.1 innings. He's still stuck on 7 saves, with 13 BB and 14 Ks.

Venezuela

Justin Pope (Bravos de Margarita)
Pope has continued his outstanding winter season, allowing just 2 earned runs in 23.1 innings pitched. His 0.94 WHIP and 0.77 ERA, in 22 appearances, are among the league's best.

Alberto Gonzalez (Bravos de Margarita)
The Yankees top minor league shortstop is enjoying a fine time in Venezuela. The 24-yr old is hitting .304-1-9 in 22 games, with a pair of doubles and triples.

Francisco Cervelli (Cardenales de Lara)
The young catcher has struggled, with just 4 hits in 22 at-bats (.182). He has managed to draw 8 walks.

Edwar Gonzalez (Cardenales de Lara)
The outfielder is hitting is .259-1-7 in 58 at-bats.

Marcos M. Vechionacci (Navegantes del Magallanes)
While manning the hot corner, Vechionacci is hitting .284-2-11 (his Nov. stats were incorrect) in 95 at-bats, with 5 doubles and 2 triples.

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Roster Moves

With rosters expanding to 40 players, the Yankees have activated Doug Mientkiewicz and Jose Veras from the DL, and added shortstop Alberto Gonzalez. Outfielder Kevin Thompson was designated for assignment to make room on the the 40-man roster.

Pitcher Jim Brower, who had a brief stint with the big club, opted for free agency after the team DFA'ed him 10 days ago.

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