Around the Empire: Yankees News - 7/8/19

New York Post | Ken Davidoff: That Deivi Garcia really is something, y’all. After dominating Double-A to the tune of a 2.18 FIP and more than 14 strikeouts per nine, the modestly built right-hander earned a trip to the Futures Game, where he pitched a 1-2-3 first inning. In addition, it was subsequently announced that the 20-year-old would be joining the Triple-A rotation after the All-Star break.

Though it would be awesome if Garcia became a key rotation piece for the Yankees at maturity, there is the possibility that he gets traded this year for the right haul. Asked about that scenario by an unnamed reporter, Garcia seemed unfazed according to Davidoff, answering that he doesn’t give it too much thought and that his job is to do his work wherever needed. Whatever the case, this blogger is excited to see what Garcia can do against the best players in the minors.

NY Daily News | Kristie Ackert: Yankees skipper Aaron Boone elected to rest both Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu in Sunday’s series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays. This move, like every other move Boone makes, was questioned after the Yankees’ offense was quelled by Charlie Morton and lost the game 2-1. It’s true that Torres and LeMahieu have been two of the Yankees’ best hitters this year, which makes resting both of them on what ended up to be a low-scoring game is a little frustrating. However, in defense of Boone, the lineup still featured boppers such as Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Edwin Encarnacion, so it wasn’t like the oft-scrutinized manager was running out a Triple-A lineup. Plus, Charlie Morton is a really good pitcher. Maybe the real lesson here is that the Yankees’ front office should have signed him last offseason instead of J.A. Happ.

NJ.com | Randy Miller: For every strong prospect performance, there is the talented youngster that struggles. Here, Miller provides us with a list of struggling prospects in 2019, including names like Albert Abreu, Estevan Florial, and Domingo Acevedo. While time is running out for Acevedo, who is 25 and has yet to find his footing in Scranton, the younger prospects on the list deserve some leniency. Development in baseball is non-linear more often than not, and it’s not uncommon for even the most talented prospects to hit a few speed bumps along the way. Here’s hoping that these young players can turn their seasons around in the second half.