Spring Signals Fresh Start

Ex-Staten Island Yankees look to open eyes during Spring Training 2008

By: Robert Pimpsner

* Alumni Photo Gallery

February 4, 2008 – It is now February and later on this month Spring Training will officially begin when all pitchers and catchers report to their respective facilities.  This appears to be an interesting spring training for alumni of our Staten Island Yankees as several are banging on the door to the big club and more have found new possible homes around affiliated ball.

In 2007 we saw many players that once called the Richmond County Bank Ballpark their home field make their way to the major leagues.  Among then were Matt DeSalvo, Ian Kennedy, Shelley Duncan, Chase Wright and Bronson Sardinha.  Of them, three will be sporting new uniforms during 2008 Spring Training.  Here is a look at some ex-SI Yanks and their possible status for the upcoming season.

Bronson Sardinha:  Sardinha got a September call-up in 2007 with a spot on the Yankees Post-Season roster, however with very few roster spots the Yankees felt it was time to let go of the young outfielder.  He later signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners and received an invite to their big league camp this season.  It is likely that he will end up in Triple-A with the Tacoma Rainers for the 2008 season.

Matt DeSalvo:  After a spectacular 2007 season in Triple-A that was chopped up by stints in the big leagues; DeSalvo was one of three players that were not offered contracts for the 2008 season.  On January 5 Matt signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves which also included an invite to spring training.  It is possible that DeSalvo could make the Atlanta Opening Day roster as a bullpen arm, but the most likely of scenarios see him in the Richmond rotation for 2008.

Andy Phillips:  A great Triple-A campaign in 2007 with a call up to the Majors on June 19 and a season-ending injury later on in the year led to the Yankees designating him for assignment in December.  He was then signed by the Reds to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.  It is unlikely that he will make the Reds out of camp, he is most likely going to end up as the starting first baseman in Louisville and as an insurance policy in case Jeff Keppinger and Joey Votto don’t capitalize on their opportunity in Cincinnati.

Shelley Duncan:  Shelley made an immediate impact on New York Yankees fans when he finally made his big league debut in 2007.  Shelley “Slam” is looking to stay in The Bronx for the time being.  His big stick and enthusiasm could be just what the Yankees need.  He can split time in first and right field if needed.  Look for the big guy to remain in The Bronx in 2008.

Chase Wright:  Wright will forever have a place in baseball history due to the back-to-back-to-back-to-back homeruns on April 22.  Right now the young left-hander is blocked out of the rotation by Ian Kennedy, Philip Hughes, and Joba Chamberlain, but there is open space in the Yankees bullpen.  That is one of two possibilities for Chase.  He also could end up in Triple-A Scranton in the Rotation.

Ian Kennedy:  Kennedy has the distinction of being the fastest rising former Staten Island Yankee player.  After his professional debut on September 6, 2006 in the second game of a double-header in Staten Island, he went on to pitch in the Hawaiian Baseball League and rocketed up the Yankees farm system in 2007.  The end result was a 1-0 record and a 1.89 ERA in the majors and being named Minor League Baseball’s pitcher of the year.  With six starters coming into Spring Training it is possible that Kennedy could end up back in Triple-A, but I would not be surprise to see him break camp as the Yankees number 5 starter.

T.J. Beam:  Beam spent the 2007 season with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees; however an injury limited him to just 29 games.  He was also in the group that was not offered a new contract for the 2008 season and found a new home in Pittsburgh.  The tall right-hander is entering camp on a minor league deal but it looks as if he will have a spot on the 25-man roster come opening day.

Jeffrey Marquez:  Marquez is one of the newest additions to the Yankees 40-man roster, he along with Francisco Cervelli were added this past off-season.  Marquez is slated to move up to Triple-A where he will continue as a starter for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.  Plans could change as there have been several talks about Marquez moving to the bullpen and up in the big leagues this season.

Dan McCutchen:  McCutchen spent only a few days with the Staten Island Yankees in 2006 before moving up to Charleston and then getting suspended.  In 2007 he was spectacular in two stops with the Tampa Yankees and the Trenton Thunder.  He looks to be returning to Trenton and help them to another Eastern League crown for the 2008 season.

Brett Gardner:  Gardner made his second trip to the Arizona Fall League this year, and he followed that up with an invite to the Rookie Career Development Program in 2008.  Gardner’s speed has been his biggest asset so far in his professional career since he began with the Staten Island Yankees in 2005.  He hit a combined .281 with the Trenton Thunder and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees in 2007 with 39 stolen bases.  Gardner looks to be returning to the International League, at least for the beginning of the 2008 season.  If injuries creep up on the New York Yankees outfield, it is possible that Gardner would receive the call up.

Mark Melancon:  After an impressive debut with the Staten Island Yankees in 2006, Mark Melancon looks to pick up where he left off as he returns from injury in 2008.  Melancon got an invite to Major League spring training, but looks to start the season with the Tampa Yankees before moving up to the Eastern League.  It is said he could rocket up the ladder the same way Ian and Joba did, but I look to see him in Trenton when the season ends.

Kyle Anson:  A once third-baseman now catcher is getting his first taste of Major League spring training this year.  Anson is on hand to work with the extra pitchers in camp and looks to be heading to Tampa for the 2008 season. 

P.J. Pilitere:  It is highly unlikely that PJ will reach the majors in 2008.  Look for him to be the starting catcher in Scranton this season, or a back up to Francisco Cervelli in Trenton.

Bernie Castro:  Castro returns to the Yankees organization for the 2008 season after spending last year with the Washington Nationals.  Castro is one of several players fighting for the utility infielder role with the NY Yankees.  His major league experience gives him an edge of players like Alberto Gonzalez but it is more then likely Castro will be the starting second baseman for the Scranton/Wikes-Barre Yankees this season.

Eric Duncan:  What can you say about Eric Duncan?  This was the first year he was eligible for Rule-V and the Yankees left him unprotected with no one taking him.  This is going to be a make or break year for the once third baseman.  He will be splitting time at first and DH this year with Juan Miranda in Triple-A.

Manny Acosta:  After splitting 2007 between Triple-A Richmond and the Atlanta Braves’ bullpen it is likely that Acosta will have a spot in the bullpen.

Justin Christian:  Christian got an invite to spring training this year, but looks as if he will be returning to Triple-A with Brett Gardner.

Francisco Cervelli:  Cervelli was one of the top catching prospects to ever come through Staten Island, earning a spot on the American League Affiliated All-Star team in the process.  Cervelli was added to the Yankees 40-Man Roster this past off-season and looks to be the starting catcher for the Trenton Thunder in 2008.

Jeff Karstens:  Karstens spent the winter on the roster of Team USA, helping them to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games.  It is likely that Karstens will not be on the 25-man roster come opening day and will compete in the Olympics with Team USA.

Sean Henn:  Henn had an up and down year with the Yankees in 2006.  He began the season doing well but after a few bad outings was sent back to Triple-A.  It is possible that Henn could return to the New York Yankees bullpen in 2008 as a lefty specialist or go to Triple-A as a long reliever.

Marcos Vechionacci:  Vechionacci was once thought to be the third baseman of the future for the Yankees, but he like Duncan has a make or break year ahead of him.  After splitting last season between Tampa and Trenton, Vechonacci looks to be manning the hot corner for the defending Eastern League champions in 2008.

Andy Cannizaro:  Cannizaro was a minor league free agent after the 2007 season and then signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.  Cannizaro was given an invite to spring training and has a chance to make the major league squad as a backup infielder.  If he doesn’t make the Rays opening day roster look for him to head to Durham and possibly a late season call up.

Colin Curtis:  Curtis split the 2007 season with Tampa and Trenton and is expected to return to Trenton and possibly earn a mid-season promotion to Scranton if needed.