The Yankees top picks in 2007 (right-hander Andrew Brackman) and 2008 (left-hander Jeremy Bleich) both are making their first extended appearances in pro ball in this year’s Hawaiian Winter League. However, the two pitchers are having varying degrees of success. Brackman, the 6-10 fireballer who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, has struggled – not that this is very surprising, given that he’s just beginning to throw again. Through five starts and 19.2 innings, Brackman is 2-3 with a 5.03 ERA. He’s allowed 13 runs (11 earned) on 20 hits, striking out 20 and walking 12.

Bleich, meanwhile, has been very impressive in his first action in pro ball following his second round selection out of Stanford in June. Bleich is 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in five starts and 25.2 innings. He’s allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 20 hits, striking out 22 and walking nine.