In the final installment of our preview of the Yankees’ minor league system, we’ll look at the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs. The previews of both the Yankee and Met Single-A affiliates are going to be shorter than the previous ones, simply because most of the players on these two teams have little or no professional experience yet. That said, here we go:
One of the biggest position battles to watch in the entire Yankee farm system is taking place in Charleston this year, as 18-year-old Jesus Montero (ranked No. 6 in the Yankee system by Baseball America) and 19-year-old Austin Romine (No. 22) will battle for the honor of being the RiverDogs’ starting catcher in 2008.
At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Montero is already a physical monster, and had a good beginning to his pro career at the plate in 2007 (.280, 3 HR, 19 RBI in 33 games). However, he threw out less than 10 percent of baserunners attempting to steal against him (3-for-32), so his defense is something that will need work.
Romine also has a good frame (6-foot-2, 210), and has a good pedigree (his brother, Andrew, was also drafted last summer (Angels), and he is the son of former major leaguer Kevin Romine). While he didn’t get a chance to play last year, Romine is known for having a “plus-plus” (meaning incredibly strong) throwing arm – obviously something that is coveted in a catcher.
This battle is one that will be closely watched by the Yankees, as the winner will likely become their top catching prospect in 2009 – and with Jorge Posada looking older by the second early this season, having to already miss a couple of games, that is a position that will become highly coveted in the near future.
But there are other players in Charleston for Yankee fans to keep an eye on. The other position player on the roster that is on Baseball America’s top 30 list is shortstop Carmen Angelini. Another 2007 draft pick (10th round), Angelini will likely be the starting shortstop for the RiverDogs in 2008.
The three pitchers in the BA top 30 on the roster are Dellin Betances (No. 13), Jairo Heredia (No. 20) and Zach McAllister (No. 30). Betances, who was 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA with the Staten Island Yankees last year, is an imposing physical specimen (6-foot-7), but having just turned 20 years old, is still growing into his body. He has a mid-90s fastball, along with a plus curve.
Heredia, an 18-year-old who was signed out of the Dominican Republic, finished 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 11 games (including six starts) last year with the Gulf Coast Yankees. He has a low-90s fastball, a curve and a change.
McAllister, now 20 years old, is a 6-foot-5, 230 pound hard-throwing righty who was third in the NY-Penn League with 75 strikeouts in 71 innings. Armed with a fastball, slider and changeup, McAllister, who was 4-6 with 5.17 ERA last year in Staten Island, is looking to have a big year in 2008 after being a part of the Yankees’ Dominican Republic instructional league.
Again, this was brief because of the lack of information on most of these players. But that will make this year’s season in Charleston all the more interesting to follow, as these players careers will unfold before our eyes.
