Around the Empire: Yankees news 6/24/16

Around the Empire

New York Post | Dan Martin: After spending the off-season hearing critics doubt his abilities at a higher level and having that continue early into this season, Aaron Judge is finally showing what he’s capable of in Triple-A. Currently hitting .329 with six home runs and 15 RBI in June, Judge is showing that if the Yankees were to call him up either later this year or next, he shouldn’t be over matched.

Newsday | Erik Boland: Starlin Castro, so far, has been a pretty addition for the Yankees. Castro followed a strong April with a poor May, but has hit better in June (288/.303/.438). He’s provided the Yankees with production not seen at second base since Robinson Cano left. While Castro isn’t quite Cano, he’s a surefire upgrade over the Brian Roberts, Kelly Johnson, and Stephen Drew trifecta that made up the position over the last couple years.

NJ.com | Randy Miller: As most fans know, Mark Teixeira is currently on a rehab assignment with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate targeting Saturday as a day to return to the Bronx. What most might not have considered though, is how Teixeira’s rehab assignment could potentially help out the team’s rotation woes. While the team representatives will report back on Teixeira and how he looked, they could also report back on Chad Green and how well he pitched. If the team doesn’t feel comfortable calling on Severino or Cessa to take a rotation spot, Green certainly could (and should) be an option.

CBS | Steve Silverman: Looking back on the 1996 championship team, they will never be looked at as one of the most dominant teams in MLB or Yankees history (unlike the 1998 team). They will, however, be remembered as a team in its truest meaning. Joe Torre was able to get positive contributions from every player on the team, and that wouldn’t have been possible without a strong and deep bench. Being able to rely on contributions from unlikely heroes helped Torre out-maneuver Atlanta manager Bobby Cox and end a championship drought in the Bronx.

Baseball America | Baseball America Staff: Baseball America celebrated their 50th anniversary last year, and to celebrate that their staff is going through and taking a look back at 50 years worth of rich history. Part of that is telling the story of the 1967 draft where the Yankees had the first overall pick, something that has only happened twice in 50 years. With that pick, the Yankees selected power-hitting Ron Blomberg, who went on to become the first designated hitter in MLB history.

Fun Questions

• What do you do on off days when there’s no Yankees baseball to occupy the time?
• Did you watch/follow the NBA draft? Any thoughts on your favorite team’s picks (or lack thereof)?

Song of the Day

Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd

You know the drill by now. It’s still Old Timey Week on Pinstripe Alley. You may ask y I chose this song, but if you know anything about me, you know my obsession with David “D-Rob” Robertson. That should be enough to help you explain me picking this song. As always, please link us your song of the day.