Tagged: Yankees

AFL 10.19.15 Surprise at Salt River

Notable Performance:

Left-handed pitcher Ian Clarkin, the Yankees No. 7 prospect got the start for Surprise and allowed one run in four innings. Clarkin was a first-round selection in 2013 (33rd overall) and although he has plenty of talent, his young career has been hampered by injuries. The 20-year old appeared in just three games in 2013 because of a sprained ankle and missed all of the 2015 regular season with elbow troubles. In 2014, pitching for both Class-A Tampa and Class-A Charleston, he went 4-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 17 games – 16 starts. Read about Clarkin’s performance on MLBpipeline.com.

Best Plays:

— Cardinals shortstop prospect Aledmys Diaz made a nice play in the second inning as he fielded the ground ball up the middle, did a 360 turn and then threw to first for the out. Not the most challenging play in the world, but not an easy play either.

Later in the inning, Diaz made another nice play as he ranged to right to field a ball in the hole and was still able to start the 6-4-3 double play.

*Diaz did commit a throwing error in the sixth.

— Lewis Brinson, a Rangers prospect, made a terrific diving play in center to end the seventh.

— D-backs prospect Daniel Palka has impressed me multiple times with a strong arm in right. The clubs’ No. 29 prospect made another strong throw Monday afternoon on a flyball as he threw home and kept the runner at third.

Worth Mentioning:

— Brett Phillips hit leadoff for Surprise and after drawing a walk to start the game he stole second one batter later. Phillips, the second-ranked prospect in the Brewers’ organization, got a tremendous jump and stole the bag easily – despite a small stumble after taking a few steps. He stole 17 bases in the regular season.

Phillips later doubled and finished 1-for-3. He also made a strong throw from right to retire a runner trying to go from first to third on a single.

— The Mets’ Dominic Smith continues to impress at the plate. Smith has a really smooth swing and came through with a pair of singles and an RBI on Monday. Smith finished Monday’s game 3-for-3 and is now 6-for-8 in the Arizona Fall League.

Trout Is The New Face Of Baseball

It’s not news to anyone the 2014 All-Star Game, just like the entirety of the season, will be a celebration of Derek Jeter.

The Yankees shortstop has certainly earned everything coming his way tonight, but as one chapter closes, another opens.

For the bulk of the past two decades, Jeter has been the face of baseball – and those who disagree acknowledge he’s at least always been in the conversation – but that era is coming to close and it’s time for Jeter to pass the torch.

Tonight, he won’t have to look very far as the guy ready to take over is right behind him in the American League batting order.

Although he is just 22 years old and only in his third full season as a Major Leaguer, Mike Trout is well on his way to a tremendous, possibly Hall of Fame, career.

Like Jeter, Trout has proven to be everything that is right about the game of baseball.

Trout is a 22-year old with a ton of money and the baseball world seemingly at his fingertips. It would be easy for him to be brash and arrogant. He could use his social media presence to show off parties and bling and other things that some athletes often do.

But those who have met Trout for even two minutes know that is simply not who he is.

Instead, Trout posts pictures with his parents, telling the world how much he loves and appreciates them. He spent the past few weeks on Twitter trying to get his friend, roommate and teammate Garrett Richards named to the All-Star game. 

He is the type of teammate, player – and more importantly, person – you hope your kids choose to idolize.

Trout roams the outfield at Angel Stadium with an infectious smile and childlike sense of joy. He truly enjoys playing the game and has a way of reminding us all how beautiful the game of baseball is.

In addition to his five tools on the field, Trout has a sixth tool that is very important when discussing the face of baseball.

Marketability.

Trout is associated with Nike, Subway, BodyArmor and others. Earlier this season Nike gave Trout his own shoe (cleats), making him the first player to receive such an honor since Ken Griffey Jr.

If there is anything holding Trout back from taking his place atop the baseball world, it’s the fact he has yet to play in the postseason.

However, the Angels currently have the second best record in baseball and this could be the season baseball fans get to watch Trout play when the stakes are highest.

Trout has already been asked several times about taking over as the face of the game and every time he downplays the subject and says it’s not something he thinks about. He simply says he’s focused on playing the game he loves to the best of his ability.

And in the end, that’s exactly what makes him the perfect candidate.