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Yankees lineup vs. Blue Jays - Scouts love Juan De Leon, who is connected to NYY

Al Bello

Chase Whitley Day is like the second, more minor holiday of the Yankees rotation after Masahiro Tanaka Day. Hopefully they can keep the good times rolling tonight.

Brett Gardner, Derek Jeter, and Jacoby Ellsbury are at the top of the order, as usual. Mark Teixeira, Alfonso Soriano, and Carlos Beltran are in the middle of the lineup. Brian McCann is behind the plate, Yangervis Solarte is back in the lineup at third base against the left-handed Mark Buehrle for some reason, and Brian Roberts is at second base, because he plays everyday!

Good things are being said about Juan De Leon, a 16-year-old outfielder who is one of the players the Yankees have been connected to the most for the July 2 international signing period. Baseball America compiled comments from scouts, but this one really says it all:

"He was one of the better guys in the Dominican Republic. He can run, he can throw, he shows you ability to hit and he makes adjustments. If he was in high school at this age, in the United States, he goes no later than the late first round, early second round. I think overall he's one of the most polished players this year. He's got a chance in center field, but if he plays a corner, I think he'll fit there."

We have heard that the Yankees "have in fact already reached verbal agreements with three highly-regarded infielders from the Dominican Republic: Dermis Garcia for approximately $3.6 million; Nelson Gomez for approximately $2.8 million; and Christopher Torres for approximately $2.6 million. Other estimates for Torres' market have been closer to $1 million." Hopefully De Leon will be added to this list by the time everything is all said and done.