Here Comes Tyler Austin...

IT'S AUSTIN!! IT'S AUSTIN!!  BUSINESS IS ABOUT TO PICK UP!!!!

He's still included in the crop of top OF prospects that's underperforming early this season, but Tyler Austin is showing signs that he might be starting to remove himself from that herd.  In his last 10 games, Austin is hitting .316/.378/.632 with 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 R, 9 RBI, and 5 BB.  He's raised his season batting line to .266/.368/.411 (.360 wOBA) and the power/patience combination that was his calling card through the lower levels of the system is starting to come through now that he's over 200 PA at the Double-A level.

Kid's starting to put it together, people...

WEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLL...

(Courtesy of MLB)

Real talk, I bet The Big Show would be a better option as a righty DH than Ben Francisco.

P.S.- Good to see the Yankees still had one of Cecil Fielder's old jerseys laying around in the locker room to give to Show.

Frank Francisco Is Kidding, Right?

From the NY Post:

"'I can’t wait to face those chickens,' Mets closer Frank Francisco told The Post when asked about playing the Yankees in this weekend’s Subway Series at Citi Field.  'I want to strike out the side against them. I’ve done it before.'"

BREAKING NEWS: Mo Says He's Coming Back

Via Mark Feinsand:

"I am coming back.  Write it down in big letters.  I'm not going out like this."

"I love to play the game.  To me, going out like this isn't the right way."

My reaction?



About damn time we had some good news on a Friday.

What's Crazier? Goldstein's Organizational Ranking or Hulet Leaving Gary Sanchez Off His Top 100?

Maybe this is just the homer in me talking, but I'm a little confused by the prospect news today.  First, Kevin Goldstein releases his organizational prospect rankings and places the Yankees 15th, saying:

"There is plenty to dream about in terms of young talent, but other than Banuelos and Betances, the upper levels are bereft of quick help."

First off, I think that statement, while being very accurate on the assessment of the lower levels, criminally undervalues the Yankees' Triple-A pitching depth.  They may not all have future-ace ceilings like ManBan, but every one of the group from him, Betances, Warren, Phelps, and Mitchell could be starting in other teams' rotations this year and there aren't many organizations who can say that about their entire Triple-A staff.  And while they aren't going to gather any All-Star Game votes, guys like Laird, Pena, Maxwell, and Romine are more than capable of filling in as bench players and could also have jobs on other teams were it not for the Yankees' desire to go heavy on veterans this year.  Same situation with Whelan, Pope, and Kontos in the bullpen.  So I would have to respectfully disagree with Mr. Goldstein's statement that there isn't any "help" in the upper levels of the Yankees' system.

As for Marc Hulet, he released his Top 100 Prospects list today over at Fangraphs, and the only thing I can think that makes any sense is that he just forgot to include Gary Sanchez somewhere in the top 75.  Because if he honestly believes that Sanchez is not one of the top 100 prospects in all of baseball, then the only reaction I can have is...

I mean, really? Really, dude?  Really?  Gary Sanchez is only 19 years old, and he turned 19 so recently that he's closer to being 18 than he is to being 20.  He just came off a season where he put up a .364 wOBA while being the 2nd-youngest player in his entire Low-A league.  He's got power (.229 ISO) and plate discipline (10.5% BB rate) well beyond his years, and he profiles as an elite-level power hitter from the catcher position.  Sure, he's got his issues defensively, but what pro catcher his age doesn't?  When you're looking at the type of production this kid is capable of from a premium position and remember that he's still only 19, there's no way you can reasonably leave him off of any top 100 prospects list.

(gif via)