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Girardi Walks: NoMaas continues to look into Girardi's tendency to order base on balls. Girardi has ordered 177 walks, which is the fourth highest in the league and seems to call for them when the score is close. His staff has mostly walked good players, however there is the exception of Franklin Gutierrez in there.
Prospect Watch: Three Yankees have made MLB.com's Top 100 prospect list. Gary Sanchez came in at No. 36, Mason Williams No. 41 and Tyler Austin No. 75. Jonathan Mayo has also ranked Sanchez as #2 and Williams as #9 on his list of Top 10 prospects for their respective positions. This ranking puts him in the company of names like Wil Meyers, Billy Hamilton, Bryan Buxton, and Bubba Starling. It's nice to see one of our own in such glorified company, but as a 21 year old prospect in A-ball he still has a long way to go before he can be depended on for the future.
Farm Rankings: John Sickels has rated the New York Yankee farm system #14 overall. He has identified the bats of Gary Sanchez, Slade Heathcott, Mason Williams, and Tyler Austin as strengths, along with our C+ prospect depth. The weakness of the system comes from a lack of impact pitching. Surprise!
What to Expect: The Yankee Analysts profile Juan Rivera so you can understand what to expect from him. They determine that he's good at spraying the ball to all fields and can limit his strikeouts, however he lacks power to right field and is prone to double plays. It's more than possible he won't even make the team, so this could all be pointless in the end.
Mark Teixeira is So Freaking White: The Yankee frist baseman will be appearing in the broadway musical Rock of Ages, not as a singer, but as some awkward cameo guy. He's growing a real mullet out just for the show and I hope they're letting him wear his own tight leather pants. If you click on no other link on this page, please click on this one. It's absolutely hilarious. Read it.
World Baseball Classic: Andy Pettitte has opted to stay out of the World Baseball Classic. In his place Justin Verlander might join the team. As of right now Team USA's rotation consists of Ryan Vogelsong, Derek Holland and R.A. Dickey. I'm glad he's decided to sit out because I really don't want him doing anything he doesn't have to do. We kind of need him all season.