Yankees Notes: Hughes, Cano, Sanit, Posada, Aceves, Duncan, Single-A All-Stars

Phil Hughes and Robinson Cano lead the Yankees to a 8-2 victory over the Indians. Here are some notes:

• Hughes (6-1, 2.70) started off the game by striking out 5 batters. His line: 7 IP, 2 ER, 8 K.
• Cano went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk. His average: .351.
• 30-year-old Amaury Sanit (1-2, 8.69), who has been pitching for Triple-A Scranton, has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for PED’s.
• The boot came off Jorge Posada’s foot, but they still don’t have a timeline for his return.
• Alfredo Aceves got another epidural so far no surgery, they’re going to try rehab.
• Shelley Duncan is back in town and shared that he got his World Series ring in the mail and that it helps him fit in with his father and brother better.
• Five players from Single-A Tampa made the FSL All-Star team: C Mitch Abeita, OF Jack Rye, IF Corban Joseph, RHP Adam Warren, and RHP Hector Noesi.

Mitch Abeita is one of the nicest and honest guys I’ve had the pleasure of coming across in baseball, but I don’t understand how he made the All-Star team. Abeita’s OPS: .621. Pitchers must love working with him.

Minor League Monday: April 19th, 2010

Minor League Baseball is back! So is Minor League Monday at it’s best, as we will take a look at what happened in the first two week of minor league ball. To be fair, I should state that I have good reason for not being around most of last week. With my wedding only 47 days away, things have a tendency to pop up and occupy my time…and I can’t quite ignore them.

First up, Minor League Moves…

Minor League Moves(Courtesy of Baseball America)

Released: OF Javier Herrera
Acquired: C Robby Hammock from Rockies for future considerations
Placed on restricted list: RHP Ramon Rodriguez, LHP Rony Bautista, SS Joaquin Perez
Voluntarily retired: C Kyle Anson
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Chad Huffman
Option transferred: LHP Wilkin de la Rosa (Triple-A to Double-A)

Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Cory Arbiso, RHP Dellin Betances, RHP Paul Bush, RHP Caleb Cotham, RHP Christian Garcia, RHP Alan Horne, RHP George Kontos, RHP Dickson Marquez, RHP Brett Marshall, RHP Adam Olbrychowski, RHP Brad Rulon, LHP Manuel Banuelos, C Brian Baisley, C Neall French, C P.J. Pilittere, 1B Jorge Vazquez, 2B Matt Cusick, SS Carmen Angelini, OF Edwar Gonzalez

Also worth noting, Scranton Wilkes-Barre added John Van Benschoten from Double-A today.

Now let’s take a look at how some of the Yankees’ teams are performing early on this season.

Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees

Record: 6-5

Scranton has been back and forth this year, unable to string more than three wins in a row together. It’s early in the season, but the team certainly has had some standout pitchers thus far. Ivan Nova and Zach McAllister have compiled great numbers thus far and unforunately, have been able to pick up a win. Both have ERAs under 3.00 and look strong early on. The same can’t be said for Romulo Sanchez who’s allowed 10 earned runs in just 7 innings pitched.

Offensively, Eduardo Nunez leads the team with 14 hits and a .341 average. Highly touted prospect Jesus Montero has struck out a little more than I’d ideally like to see, but is one of team leaders in total bases(18) and is walking about once every 10 at bats.

Marquee Match-Up Coming Soon:
Depending on a variety of circumstances (including rain), it looks Aroldis Chapman could indeed pitch in Scranton on 4/27. Stay tuned, especially if you’re in the Scranton area, as it’s likely tickets will be harder to come by for that game.

Trenton Thunder

Record: 7-3

Trenton is off to a great start in 2010 for a variety of reasons (and this isn’t a complete list).

• The pitching rotation has been strong.  Of the six pitchers who have started for Trenton, four currently have an era under 2.00. D.J. Mitchell has had mixed results, but I really think he’s going to have a strong year.
• Offensively, David Adams has been Trenton’s top performer as of late. Batting .368, Adams is has hit for six extra basehits and is sporting a .979 OPS. He needs some work drawing walks and needs to cut down on his strikeouts, but is certainly showing the potential to do nice things for Trenton.

Tampa Yankees

Record: 6-5 (game in progress now)

Congratulations are due for one Tampa Yankee this week.

• Hector Noesi, already the owner of three victories this season, was named the FSL Pitcher of the week for the first week of the 2010 season. Aside from his wins, Noesi has a 1.06 era and has struck out more than one batter per inning, while only walking one.
• Andrew Brackman hasn’t performed well, however, already allowing 12 earned runs and holding a 13.50 era. That’s what happens when you allow that many runs over the course of only 8 innings.
• Abraham Almonte and Mitch Abeita have been the best offensively for Tampa thus far. No one stands out with any huge numbers, as of now, the team hasn’t hit for much power. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that this isn’t going to be the same level of talent we see in Trenton or Scranton.

Charleston Riverdogs

Record: 5-6

I’m going to flat out admit I haven’t done a good job at following the Riverdogs. That being said…

• LF Taylor Grote has the most impressive numbers for the Riverdogs. While he doesn’t have the highest batting average on the team, or most total bases, his all around numbers are better. A .303 batting average and OPS of .809, he’s also shown he has the ability to take a pitch and draw a walk.
• Lefty Shaeffer Hall has performed well thus far this season, allowing 11 hits in just under 20 innings pitched. His strikeout numbers aren’t anything to die for, but his control has been spectacular and he is yet to issue a walk.

Bronx Baseball Minor League Stories of the Week

David Adams isn’t helping Minor League Logjam

Bad Luck for Christian Garcia