Yankees farm report: Newman forecasts the future

[ring403]

http://www.nj.com/yankees/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1124776880117420.xml&coll=1

"We've made progress over the past few years," Newman said. "A lot of progress started with the 2003 and 2004 drafts, and so far the 2005 draft looks solid. That's how you do it. If you have a couple of poor drafts and trade players away, you'll have a down period as we did. Last year we made some strides and this year we made more.

"One more solid draft and we'll be back where we need to be."

Ultimately, though, it's a matter of who makes it to the Bronx, Newman said, and he points to Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and injured starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang as reasons to believe. Along with these two poster-boy major-league rookies, a number of minor-league players have impressed the organization this season, and Newman spoke to The Star-Ledger about the next class of prospects you may see in the near future

[mbn007]

Thompson, Cabrerra, Henn, Desalvo, Matt Smith are the guys he mentioned from the upper levels. He also is not disappointed with Eric.

Henry, Jackson, Tabata, Gardner, Nunez (ss at SI) are the ones from the lower levels.

Hoover will be back next season. Hughes was shut down for cautionary reasons, given his age.

Considers Battle raw, but the best athlete in the system. If he gets more consistent, watch out!
Nice article.

[sugmasterflex]

With the Yankees financial resources they should having more than "solid" drafts. They should be having great drafts.

[hlrjr]

sounds great. but you thought he would have mentioned tyler clippard. especially with the season he's having.

[gamesix1977]

I thought the farm system was barren :P

[DaYanks4Life]

There going in the right direction now and the focus should be on solid drafts every year.

[mbn007]

sounds great. but you thought he would have mentioned tyler clippard. especially with the season he's having.
It was probably a short interview, so only a few from the upper levels, and a few from the lower levels were mentioned.

[mbn007]

There going in the right direction now and the focus should be on solid drafts every year.
Ditto.

I would like to see the same "buzz" every year that the past few drafts produced.

[DaYanks4Life]

Ditto.

I would like to see the same "buzz" every year that the past few drafts produced.

I hope George now sees the value in a strong farm system for the purpose of producing talent for the team and not others. If he can spend money to acquire young talent and keep the big league team stacked then there is no stopping us.

[JeterRodriguezSheff]

I have come to the conclusion in a few years we will be one big mean green baseball shaped tank

[Michaels07]

Let`s look at the two Matt`s for contribution in 2006. Matt Smith from the Left side and Matt DeSalvo from the Right.

[mbn007]

Let`s look at the two Matt`s for contribution in 2006. Matt Smith from the Left side and Matt DeSalvo from the Right.
Smith , yes.

DeSalvo, not yet. Full season in AAA. Then he needs to leap ahead of Depaula. There is still Randy, Moose, Chacon, Pavano, Wright, Wang ahead of him, as well as Henn and DePaula.