Minor League Mondays: Restocking

by Lord Duggan on Aug 22, 2011 11:01 AM EDT in Minors

Mood Music - Clocks

The deadline to sign draft picks passed this week, with some mixed results. Some picks, like scalding hot (.345/.445/.509) Dante Bichette Jr. were locked up long ago, but the Yankees were able to make a few more signings before the deadline hit.

Among the top selections with whom New York came to late agreements were Gregory Bird (fifth round, 179th overall) for $1.1 million and outfielder Jake Cave (sixth round, 209th overall) for $825,000.

I won't presume to be terribly knowledgeable about these amateur players, but signing the guys that the organization wanted is definitely a good thing. The biggest loss seems to be the second selection the Yankees made, pitcher Sam Stafford, who will be returning to the University of Texas. As compensation, the Yankees will pick 89th in the 2012 draft.

Brian Cashman on this year's draft philosophy:

Damon [Oppenheimer] and his staff went for tools and high-ceiling guys. We had to wait so long [to make a selection], but I think they did a terrific job now that the process is over."

In the earliest of early returns, Dante Bichette Jr. has had a tremendous start to his Yankee career, and hopefully some of the rest of this draft crop can match his success.

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Comments

I can't put my finger on it

But for some reason I like this Gregory Bird person. I expect excellence & sexcellence from him!

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Aug 22, 2011 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

if that guy makes it to the big leagues

We are going to wear out the song “Surfin’ Bird” in the game threads. Just wear it out.

by long time listener on Aug 22, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Quite frankly

I see nothing wrong with this.

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Aug 22, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I also might throw in a

BIRD DUNKS!
BIRD DUNKS?

quote from one of my favorite commercials back in the day!

"WHO WOULD LEAD?! THE CLOWN?!"

by I'mGivingYouARaise on Aug 22, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

along with a lot of other jokes

by jetanumba2 on Aug 22, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Name-ist

by waw on Aug 22, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

finger

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Aug 22, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Yanks think Bird is the whole package hitting wise.

Very high grades for power, patience and ability to make consistent contact. They think he has 70 power. That’s pretty insane-o.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Aug 22, 2011 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

70 power right now, or 70 potential?

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy

You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on Aug 22, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

They think he can hit a 70 year old. With his bat.

by Briceratops on Aug 22, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Glad to hear that draft philosophy

Because if we’re drafting for need where we’re drafting, God help us.

The idiot formerly known as pkyankeefan! Now in Technicolour!

by Hasan Paliwala on Aug 22, 2011 11:45 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I was wondering what the alternative to drafting for tools and high ceilings

Does anyone want to draft a guy with no skills who has a very low ceiling? (At least on purpose.) I suppose there’s drafting for need, but (1) if you’re drafting high enough that you can actually draft for need, you probably need everything; and (2) it’s probably only once in a while that player that’s going to be available to be in the big leagues will fill a team’s specific need at that time.

by long time listener on Aug 22, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions