2008 Breakout Player

[bobbymagee]

Year: Positional / Pitcher(s)
2003: Nick Johnson/ none
2004: none / Brad Halsey
2005: Robinson Cano / Chien Ming Wang
2006: Melky Cabrera/ Jeff Karstens
2007: Shelley Duncan / Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes

Who would be good candidates for positional or pitchers for 2008 Breakout Players into the major league level?

Let me add that I like how this thread has morphed into a portion where people chose:
a major league breakout for: Positional/ Pitcher(s)

a minor league breakout for: Positional(s)/Pitchers(s).

Great idea from some clever peeps to expand this thread.

[CallOfTheCrow]

2008: Jose Tabata (I think we will start to see the power)/ Dellin Betances

[JavyVazquezIsSick]

I'm going to go with C.J. Henry./ Chris Garcia

[metalboy15]

Austin Romine C | Jairo Heredia SP

[BomberBrian]

looking at his list i think he is referring to breaking out at the major league level and not just anyone in the system.

[boday]

Come on, Cervelli Francisco C ... CJ Henry comes up in June to Trenton and in 2010 the Yankee outfield is CJ, Ajax and Tabata. Wouldn't that be the ultimate? Okay, Okay, if one of the three makes it, I'll be happy.

[boday]

looking at his list i think he is referring to breaking out at the major league level and not just anyone in the system.

At the Major level, Melancon, Sanchez - RP

[CallOfTheCrow]

ML level

Juan Miranda / Alan Horne

[Yankyfan]

Gardner/Garcia

[boday]

ML level

Juan Miranda / Alan Horne

Good call on Horne. High % call.

[BringBackRandolph]

I'll probably get destroyed for this but how about one 23 year old 1st baseman with a decreasing K rate, decent power. The biggest reasons I think he will flourish this year is familiarity with the league, stability of position (full time 1b) and reduced pressure and expectations. Afterall, he isn't on anybody's top prospect list anymore.

Let the beatings begin

[Since95]

Eric Duncan / Humberto Sanchez

[boday]

I'll probably get destroyed for this but how about one 23 year old 1st baseman with a decreasing K rate, decent power. The biggest reasons I think he will flourish this year is familiarity with the league, stability of position (full time 1b) and reduced pressure and expectations. Afterall, he isn't on anybody's top prospect list anymore.

Let the beatings begin

The poor kid might wind up playing in Trenton.

[JDPNYY]

The poor kid might wind up playing in Trenton.

I have a signed minor league baseball card for Eric.

I used to have in on my mantle.
Then I displayed it on my dresser.
Then I put it in the top drawer.
Then I moved it into a shoebox.
Then I moved the shoebox under the bed.
Then I put the shoebox up in the attic.

[metalboy15]

Major League Level:

None | Ross Ohlendorf RP

[CallOfTheCrow]

Ohlendorf is a pretty solid pick too.


Edwar Ramirez as well. Is it possible for him to beef up some, get that arm stronger, & add a couple ticks to that fastball?

[metalboy15]

Edwar Ramirez as well. Is it possible for him to beef up some, get that arm stronger, & add a couple ticks to that fastball?

Velocity is not the issue with Edwar, with his Changeup, his fastball looks a lot faster than it really is.

Command is the issue. His stuff is fine.

[boday]

Velocity is not the issue with Edwar, with his Changeup, his fastball looks a lot faster than it really is.

Command is the issue. His stuff is fine.

It was probably nerves with Mr Torre present, look the wrong way and it's splinters for two weeks.

[CallOfTheCrow]

Velocity is not the issue with Edwar, with his Changeup, his fastball looks a lot faster than it really is.

Command is the issue. His stuff is fine.

I know, I didn't say it was the issue....it was just a random question.

[metalboy15]

I know, I didn't say it was the issue....it was just a random question.

Oh ok... Oops .

I guess he could add a couple of mph's to his fastball if he fills out.

[nhyankeefan]

Gardner/Miranda for positional players and Horne/Melancon/Marquez for pitchers.

[stillma7ic]

de leon , garcia

[primetime714]

ML Level:
Miranda/Kennedy (If Kennedy doesn't count anymore than Veras)

Minors:
Romine/Garcia

[bobbymagee]

looking at his list i think he is referring to breaking out at the major league level and not just anyone in the system.

thank you bomber brain Brian

[Yankyfan]

Major League Level:

None | Ross Ohlendorf RP

I like that Olly pick . I think he's going to do well also.

[dont_ya_know24]

Majors:

miranda, gardner/ horne, melancon, sanchez

Minors:

betances/ duncan, montero, tabata

[keg411]

Majors:
Gardner/Melancon

Minors:
Angelini/Barreda

[apolansk]

AJax / Horne

[dan66]

Minors: Colin Curtis and Garrett Patterson

Majors: Gardner/Miranda and Horne

[Buzah!]

Minors: Nacci/Garcia

Majores: Horne/Miranda

[Tabata]

Minors: Jose Tabata, Josue Calzado, Angel Reyes (will he pitch?), Marcos Vechionacci, Eduardo Nunez, Ivan Nova, Zoilo Almonte, Carlos Urena, Christian Garcia and Melky Mesa.

[yarosh25]

If we are talking about majors: of course Alan Horne, no hitters to make impact, so my second pitcher is dark horse:Kei Igawa as a LOOGY. I know i know, his HR/P rate and his H/IP rate is not exciting but some John and Clint Eastwood movies and some Burger King gotta adopt this kid to the US of A. It's a stretch but hey this is the preseason

[budstinks]

Velocity is not the issue with Edwar, with his Changeup, his fastball looks a lot faster than it really is.

Command is the issue. His stuff is fine.

It sort of is, if he had any velocity, he wouldn't be so darn scared to throw the fastball for a strike.

There is a reason he suddenly lost his command on the fastball, he kept losing the ball over the fence.

[Tom Finnigan]

Majors - Jeff Karstens/Juan Miranda - Minors - Tabata/Laird/Pirela

[budstinks]

I think Horne is a slam dunk. I'm thinking he'll be the setup man in NY by the all-star break. (Based on Joba being ineligible)

I'm looking for Angelini to be the breakout guy. I also think Betances is going to pitch like a top 25 overall player this season. (in all the minors)

I think he got an unfair rap last year just because the Yankees were in no hurry to let him get out of EST last year.

[metalboy15]

It sort of is, if he had any velocity, he wouldn't be so darn scared to throw the fastball for a strike.

There is a reason he suddenly lost his command on the fastball, he kept losing the ball over the fence.

Bad mechanics.

[budstinks]

Majors - Jeff Karstens/Juan Miranda - Minors - Tabata/Laird/Pirela

Jeff Karstens ? Are you related?

I'm thinking he might break out of the Yankee organization and maybe end up on the KC Royal AAA/Major shuttle?

[budstinks]

Bad mechanics.

I don't know, I watched him pitch quite a few times. When he first arrived, he was making ML hitters look like fools.

And then they started taking. Then they started sitting on his change up. AND CRUSHING IT. They forced him to throw MORE fastballs, and they CRUSHED IT.

I have high hopes that he can make adjustments to them as they made.

But Major League hitters have made many a trick pitcher have bad mechanics.

MIZZOU!

[metalboy15]

I don't know, I watched him pitch quite a few times. When he first arrived, he was making ML hitters look like fools.

And then they started taking. Then they started sitting on his change up. AND CRUSHING IT. They forced him to throw MORE fastballs, and they CRUSHED IT.

I have high hopes that he can make adjustments to them as they made.

But Major League hitters have made many a trick pitcher have bad mechanics.

MIZZOU!

Dave Eiland and Ron Guidry, both said that his mechanics got out of whack at the end of the season.

EDIT: Hitters started to lay off the change because they knew he had a hard time throwing strikes with his fastball.

[budstinks]

Dave Eiland and Ron Guidry, both said that his mechanics got out of whack at the end of the season.

EDIT: Hitters started to lay off the change because they knew he had a hard time throwing strikes with his fastball.

Well, imo, he had a hard time because he was trying to paint the black with it for fear of it getting launched.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing with the fact that how Torre used him didn't throw his mechanics off as well. But he pitched scared to me.

And one of the reasons Torre stopped using him was because of the crush factor.

[Tom Finnigan]

Jeff Karstens ? Are you related?

I'm thinking he might break out of the Yankee organization and maybe end up on the KC Royal AAA/Major shuttle?

His World Games performance was very solid. I think he is much further along than Horne and Marquez. If he pitches well in Spring Training, I think he makes the team. MEVEN IF Horne or Marquez pitch well, Yankess may decide they need another year of seasoning at AAA.

[just-blaze]

I'm going to go with C.J. Henry./ Chris Garcia

Cosigned with the seriousness.

[ej877]

Carl Pavano...

Oh no I thought you meant breakdown player.

Seriously, Pitchers:Melancon/Horne/Sanchez, also Daniel McCutchen is a strong possibility.
Position players: Tabata/Hilligoss

[just-blaze]

It sort of is, if he had any velocity, he wouldn't be so darn scared to throw the fastball for a strike.

There is a reason he suddenly lost his command on the fastball, he kept losing the ball over the fence.

FB command is important for any pitcher.

See 2006 Josh Beckett, any year Daniel Cabrera, Yankee years Kyle Farnsworth, etc.

[Prison Mike]

ML level:
Sanchez and Ross O.

Minor League:
Montero/Angelini

[indianyanksfan]

Minors: Jose Tabata, Josue Calzado, Angel Reyes (will he pitch?), Marcos Vechionacci, Eduardo Nunez, Ivan Nova, Zoilo Almonte, Carlos Urena, Christian Garcia and Melky Mesa.

so basically everyone!

[primetime714]

His World Games performance was very solid. I think he is much further along than Horne and Marquez. If he pitches well in Spring Training, I think he makes the team. MEVEN IF Horne or Marquez pitch well, Yankess may decide they need another year of seasoning at AAA.

I haven't completely given up on Karstens as he was very good everywhere he pitched last year except the majors. Then factor in that he was only in the majors for a limited time and was often still recovering from injuries and there is a chance he could still be an effective pitcher for us. However he has an up hill climb and more competition than ever. Last year with Pavano and Igawa slotted into the #4 and 5 spots in the rotation you knew Karstens was going to get a shot. This time you have Kennedy and Mussina as the #5 and 6 guys.

If Moose gets traded or if Joba is in the bullpen to start the year Karstens may have a shot of making the roster as a long reliever. However personally I like Rasner a lot more in that role and think that he would beat Karstens out there. Then there's also Igawa who is a lefty and has better stuff as well as Steven White who also has better stuff. Simply put a lot has to happen for Karstens to make the roster starting with him proving that he can pitch to major league competition in ST.

As far as him being further along than Horne and Marquez. Yes, he is more experienced, but both Horne and Marquez are pretty much major league ready now and have MUCH better stuff than him.

[wang+cano=future]

Minors: Garcia/Miranda

Majors: Melancon/None

[Tom Finnigan]

I haven't completely given up on Karstens as he was very good everywhere he pitched last year except the majors. Then factor in that he was only in the majors for a limited time and was often still recovering from injuries and there is a chance he could still be an effective pitcher for us. However he has an up hill climb and more competition than ever. Last year with Pavano and Igawa slotted into the #4 and 5 spots in the rotation you knew Karstens was going to get a shot. This time you have Kennedy and Mussina as the #5 and 6 guys.

If Moose gets traded or if Joba is in the bullpen to start the year Karstens may have a shot of making the roster as a long reliever. However personally I like Rasner a lot more in that role and think that he would beat Karstens out there. Then there's also Igawa who is a lefty and has better stuff as well as Steven White who also has better stuff. Simply put a lot has to happen for Karstens to make the roster starting with him proving that he can pitch to major league competition in ST.

As far as him being further along than Horne and Marquez. Yes, he is more experienced, but both Horne and Marquez are pretty much major league ready now and have MUCH better stuff than him.

Karstens is a better option than the two AA pitchers because his innings can help to keep Kennedy/Hughes/Chamberlain's innings capped. If Moose continues to struggle in the spring, or ifone the young guys get roughed up, he can keep the game close for several innings. Horne and Marquez should get at least half a season in AAA, assuming they pitch well and stay away from injury. I see Karstens as being in the right place at the right time this spring. And IMHO he'll answer the challenge and be the Yankee ML breakout player of this year.

[dont_ya_know24]

kontos could also break out.

i liked his hawaii season, even though (IIRC) it's a pitcher's league.