The Yankees have continued their acquisition of non-drafted talent as they sign another three free agents who weren't taken in last month's draft. After picking up Cody Hamlin, Andrew Schwaab, Matt Walsh and Geoff DeGroot, they now add left-handed pitcher Cameron Pongs, catcher Manny Argomaniz, and outfielder Joey Falcone to the organization.
The six-foot-four, 200-pound Cameron Pongs had been on the move during his collegiate career, starting off at San Diego State University, before moving to Mount San Antonio College, Long Beach State University, and finally ending up at Lewis and Clark State College. In his year with the Warriors, the lefty maintained a 3.79 ERA while striking out 32 against 17 walks in 41.1 innings as a starter and reliever. He was also useful with the bat, maintaining a .361/.447/.611 batting line with four home runs in 72 at-bats. Pongs was on the mound when Lewis and Clark clinched their 17th NAIA national championships this spring.
According to Matt Eddy's article, he has Manny Argomaniz listed as a catcher, however the six-foot, 200-pounder has no experience behind the plate, from what I could find. He has played shortstop, second base, and third base, making him a versatile player in the field, but perhaps the Yankees are looking to convert him? He played his first two seasons at Orange Coast College before transferring to Fresno State to finish out his college career. He hit .251/.337/.391 in 2015, so it makes sense that they would want to try and make him a catcher, especially since the organization is getting stretched thin at that position.
As we previously reported, the Yankees signed outfielder and former Marine Joey Falcone to a minor league deal. After joining the Marine Corps at the age of 17 and serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as a medic, he returned home and played baseball for Columbia University. After struggling in 2014, the outfielder worked with former Yankees prospect Eric Duncan and was able to turn in an incredible .323/.399/.615, 11-home run season in 2015. With Eric Duncan now the coach of the State Island Yankees and Falcone already 28, this was likely more of a favor than anything else. Falcone is also the son of former major league pitcher Pete Falcone who played for the Giants, Cardinals, Mets, and Braves from 1975-1984.
As an added bonus, the Yankees also added right-handed pitcher Michael Schaub out of the Frontier League. The six-two, 180-pounder was drafted by the Brewers in the 38th round of the 2010 draft. He remained in the organization through the 2012 season, never leaving rookie ball, until he was released. After taking a year off, Schaub joined the Rockford Aviators and revitalized his career, reportedly reaching 96 mph out of the bullpen. In 2014, he pitched to a 4.63 ERA with a 3.9 BB/9 and 11.2 K/9 in 46.2 innings and he maintained a 0.50 ERA over 18 innings in 2015 before signing with the Yankees.