Minor League Notes From Big Guy #5

MINOR LEAGUE NOTES: Nov 4. BigGuy

Fall League Notes:

Brett Gardner: Having a very solid Arizona Fall League hitting .354 in 18 games, with 13 stolen bases, OBP .416

Juan Miranda: Thru 17 games batting .274, .416 OBP, 4 HR

Ross Ohlendorf: 3 games, 4.2 IP, 0 Runs, ERA .000, BA. .222

Kevin Whelan: Shut down after 3 relief appearance with strained forearm muscle.

Steven White: 3 games, 7 IP, 8 K's, 8 ER, 9 H, BA 3.00 Nardi Contreras thinks White could
see some action later in year at NY.

Austin Jackson: Hawaii League: Off to a solid start hitting .305 in 28 games. OBP .402, 19rbi, 3 HR, Down part: 28 K's in 95 AB's.

Brad Suttle: 2007 draft pick off to very slow start at the plate. Hitting just .097 thru 21 games. They're working in his mechanics and stance.

George Kontos: 6 games, 3-3, 25 IP, 33K's, 3.60 ERA, BA 2.50 Plus fastball, plus slider, averaging 12 K's per 9 Innings so far.

Marcos Vechionacci: Venezulean League: Great start thru 16 games, .327 BA, 2 HR, .373 OBP

Bobby Abreu will play in the Venezuleean League as a DH later in the year.

NOTES:

Ferdin Tejada: bounced back from TJ surgery at Charleston hit 95 with fastball. They expect him to get back to 97 with more strength. He's a FA, but he hopes to resign with Yanks.

Zach McAllister: Nardi Contreras says solid delivery. Not using curve anymore. Concentrating on slider & changeup. Good fastball command.

Ivan Nova: 20 yr old. 3 plus pitches, 93 fastball. Nardi expects him to move quickly thru system.

Jairo Heredia: 17 yr old. Nardi says he has a big league curve and changeup.

Adam Olbrychowski: 2007 pick. Plus arm. Working on mechanics and delivery.

Mike Gardner: Nardi thinks he has a real good shot at the ML in future. Sinking fastball but not much velocity. Quality slider & changeup.

Ryan Pope: 3rd round pick in 07, working on change and curve

Mitch Hilligoss: 3rd base prospect, had 38 game hit streak in 07, worked on footwork and flexibility had a minor hamstring injury.

Garrett Patterson: Lefty, fastball 93-94 tops at 97. Plus change, plus curve, plus slider. Working on inconsistent mechanics and command.

Dave Robertson: In 07 went 8-3 at 3 levels. 113 K's in 84 IP. 4 seam, change, curve, slider. Focused on curve this year. Great FB command.

Jeff Karstens: Was named to Team USA starting rotation. They left for China on Thursday to compete in World Cup. USA starts out against Mexico.

Gary Denbo: Minor league hitting coordinator took job with Toronto Blue Jays as hitting coach.

Rafael Chavez: Replaces David Eiland as AAA SWB pitching coach.

Minor League Free Agents: The Yanks have 22 minor league free agents this off season. Just to name a few. Ferdin Tejada, Angel Chavez, Raul Chavez, Omir Santos, Andy Cannizzaro, Ben Kozlowski, Charlie Manning, Scott Patterson, Kevin Reese, Sean Henn.