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Around the Empire
LoHud Yankees Blog | Chad Jennings: With the 18th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, the Yankees selected high school OF Blake Rutherford. The Yankees think their draft pick, who was a consensus top 10 pick, will stick in center field. He can hit and field, the only "knock" against him is he has a weaker arm. With the second pick, the team took 2B Nick Solak. While he's not a flashy pick, he might be on the less expensive side, which could help sign Rutherford.
New York Times | Seth Berkman: The Yankees completed a sweep of the Angels, but it wasn't cheap as they lost yet another first baseman in Chris Parmelee to injury. While he was never expected to be anything great, the Yankees first base depth is really being tested in 2016. Apparently Girardi would be "completely shocked" if Parmelee avoided the disabled list. Perhaps Nick Swisher or Rob Refsnyder have voodoo dolls of these other players.
NJ.com | Joe Giglio: While Mark Teixeira has expressed a desire to play another five years, the star first baseman admits that injuries have started to break him. Even after his renaissance year last year, Tex was left wondering if these injuries will ever stop. While it seems unlikely, the fact that retirement has even made it to the back of his mind is probably telling of how much these injuries are affecting his spirit.
NY Daily News | John Healy: Ever since the Yankees made the trade for Aroldis Chapman, fans have been suggesting different nicknames for the trio of ace relievers. The Yankees finally decided to endorse one in "No Runs DMC" and they went all in by now selling t-shirts at the stadium. I still fully intend to refer to them as Fluffy.
NY Post | Steve Serby: HOPE Week continued yesterday as the Yankees sent a contingent including CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances to Harlem to help out with Barbershop Books. Their mission is to get younger boys, especially those of color, interested in reading for fun.
Fun Questions
- Thoughts on the Blake Rutherford and Nick Solak selections?
- Any player still on the board you hope falls to the Yankees?
Song of the Day
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
It's Inspiration Week on Pinstripe Alley. As the MLB Draft began last night, there are bound to be some prospects who are disappointed by not getting their names called yet. But this serves as a reminder to them, to keep believing in themselves! (Or something cheesy like that, I just really like this song haha). As always, please link us your song of the day.