Jose Tabata in Trouble Again

by jscape2000 on May 30, 2008 6:38 AM EDT in Minors

Tabata needed to have a good year- Austin Jackson has past him on most depth charts, primarily because the 19 year old right fielder was recovering from wrist surgery. Still ridiculously young for AA, a good year would have cemented Tabata's top prospect status, while a bad year would raise the specter of Eric Duncan once again.

Well, it's not been a good year.

"We had an in-house issue we needed to deal with. Don't ask me what it is because I'm not telling you,'' a visibly irritated Franklin said. "We're very pleased with the way he is playing. He is playing hard. But there are certain standards that need to be met within this organization and with this team, and when those standards are not met we take action.

He might be playing hard, but 187 ABs into the season he's sporting a .235/.315/.283 line, 17BB against 33K. Something's going wrong on the mental side of the game, and he's carrying it onto the physical.

When Tabata got in trouble last time (for walking out of the clubhouse), he claimed the pressure was getting to him.

Arod clearly needs to lend the guy a couple of his shrinks.

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“past him”? tsk tsk professor.

"The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided." -Casey Stengel

by bxgrl1 on May 30, 2008 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

Tabata Tantrum ...

While 19 is young to be at the AA level, let’s not forget the bevy of players who could handle the pressure at that young age. Robin Yount is the most notable—starting for the Brewers at just 18. More recently is Miguel Cabrera who was also insanely young and playing MLB.

But here’s my point. Chronological age is a guide—that’s all. Look at all the young players who struggle in the NBA because they aren’t mentally mature enough to handle the unique pressures and lifestyle of professional sports. Tabata isn’t too young to be at AA, or even AAA. His skill has gotten him to that lofty level. However, his emotional development might be three, four, five years away. Remember Darryl Strawberry?

I’m a huge proponent to empolying mentors in clubhouses and on the road with young players. Sure that role is now handled by managers and coaches, but I know first-hand even at that level it is about winning. The pressure on coaches to train up kids is intense—and I believe the psychological challenges presented by many young players is too often overlooked, or even ignored.

Having a mentor (preferably a former MLB player who has taken an approved track of counseling and psychology classes) could focus specfically on the needs of young players struggling to cope with growing up in the intense world of professional sports. For every Robin Yount who can successfully make that transition, there are hundreds of kids who simply crumble under the pressure—kids scuffling in minor league ball who may have the physical tools and gifts to succeed, but can’t put it all together because their emotional game simply isn’t there.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on May 30, 2008 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

That's what I get

for writing a post at 6AM before leaving for work. I never claimed to be perfect.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on May 30, 2008 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

JT

This is worrying because of the hundreds of talented players who didn’t make it to the majors because of reasons other than their talent (as Ronster said.) He is certainly young enough to correct any problems he has mentally or socially, however I am not sure what makes Tabata more special than the other talented players who have failed before him. The Yankees organization needs to make a concerted effort to not let Tabata fall through the cracks. He clearly is questioning or has questioned his desire to play baseball, so the organization needs to make sure he is completely focused on climbing the ladder in the minors.

Hopefully he can correct whatever emotional or behavioral problems he has an continue his climb to the majors, but these recent developments leave his status as a top-prospect in question.

"It's great to be young and a Yankee"

by stillmonster on May 30, 2008 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

It also matters what beats in the chest

Growing up I eat, sleeped, dreamed and bled baseball. My friends and I would come home from school and head to the baseball field-everyday. When it rained we were miserable. As time passed, other desires took some of us away from the passion of the game-studies, girls, etc. It wasn’t that way for me. Baseball beat and still beats in my chest. Unfortunately, just because someone is supremely gifted it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to be the next Willie Mays.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on May 30, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

JT

That’s a very valid point. I just wonder where Tabata falls in that. WasWatching had a quote about him not chasing fly balls or backing up other outfielders, as well as other scounts questioning his drive. Does this mean he is lazy, unfocused, or simply doesn’t enjoy baseball much? Mantle almost walked away from the game, but obviously he had the intangibles and the desire. There is clearly still hope for Tabata, we (the organization) just needs to pinpoint the actual issue, whether it is lack of desire, lack of focus, a sense of entitlement, an emotional issue, or something else.

"It's great to be young and a Yankee"

by stillmonster on May 30, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions