Let us ponder the most intriguing players in Tampa and beyond.
1. Carlos Lagrange. Our new fantasy. He's Judge-sized (6'7", 247) and Martian aged (22). He showed up, hitting 103 mph on the gun. Threw 120 innings last year, fanned 168, in the dreg leagues. He's on the Top 100 prospects lists. Yesterday, he threw against Judge, who homered and struck out. If he keeps reaching 102, he'll rise through the system like Ricochet Rabbit. The first great hope of spring.
2. Spencer Jones. Face it, wherever he goes, this is the most intriguing prospect in the weight room. (Not necessarily for the better.) We all know about Jones - hits HRs, fans too often. He's 24. Can apparently play decent CF. Last year, in spring training, he hit 3 HRs in 32 ABs (.250. BA) Something about this guy: You look at him and dream. If he learns to hold off on one sucker pitch, if he figures out how to put his bat on the ball, he could be our CF through 2030. And if we trade him, I believe the Yankees will rue the deal for years to come.
3. Ben Rice. Remember last February, when Rice appeared as the most muscled-up Yankee in camp? Well, it worked. He had a great year, and every Yank fan secretly believes - even if we don't say it aloud - that Rice should NOT platoon at 1B, and that he could hit 35 HRs and become an all-star. If Rice improves on defense, as I'm sure he will he could also become a lifelong Yankee. How many of them do we see?
4. Nick Torres. Huh? you say. Who's he? Well, Torres is a 32-year-old nobody, who plays 1B, where I just christened Ben Rice as King Cheese. So, shoot me. All Torres did last year was win the Mexican League MVP. The Yankees recently signed him, signaling his lifelong dream. I realize the Mexican League is not the Majors. It might not even be Triple A. But MVP is MVP, and this could be his moment. Some guys bloom late. Hey, ya gotta believe!
5. Bryce Harper. Didja see the interview he gave yesterday? He can't wait to hit in front of Aaron Judge in the World Baseball Classic. Harper grew up a Yank fan, his dream being to wear pinstripes. For the last four years, he SHOULDA have been hitting in front of Judge. (Manny Machado too.) Next month, when Harper and Judge team up, close your eyes and imagine what the Yankees coulda been, if they had the right owner. He's my favorite shoulda-been-a-Yankee in baseball. How, how, HOW did we let it happen?
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11 comments:
I just hope I live long enough to see a brand of tissues named Yankees.
Oh to hell with it - I’ll just do it myself.
Spencer Jones has to learn to lay off the sucker pitch. I think it's the same sucker pitch that Judge had to learn to lay off. It took Judge two or three years at the major league level. Maybe Jones could learn at the major league level, too. He does need to cut down on the strikeouts, but maybe Judge could mentor him regarding that. At the major league level.
Cashman has already said that the Martian will be in AAA this year, so he can fuck his head up further. So maybe it's time for Spencer.
“Early on, it was pretty tough to watch,” Judge said. “I’m like, ‘Man, we’re the New York Yankees. Let’s go out there and get the right people, the right pieces to go out there and finish this thing off.’”
But the story goes on saying that Judge feels they now have the right players to get the job done.
What else can he really say but that?
More Lunch please?
I think The Martian is much more of the major league ready prospect than Spencer Jones. Any other ball club, The Martian would be a starter, whether in CF or DH. But Clueless Cashman....
"[H]e'll rise through the system like Ricochet Rabbit"
An excerpt from the movie "Kingdom of Heaven" (with a few liberties):
Crusader Rabbit: Is it true that in Jerusalem I can erase my sins ... and those of Ricochet Rabbit? Is it true?
The Baron of Ibelin: We can find out together.
The Baron of Ibelin: Whether we are men, lions, or rabbits, the same God in heaven gave life to us all, passes judgment on us all at our death, and forgives all who seek the truth and ask mercy.
Crusader Rabbit: Then, I shall take up the cross.
The Baron of Ibelin: Kneel. (Taps his sword on Crusader Rabbit's right shoulder, then flips the sword, using the same side of the sword, taps Crusader Rabbit's left shoulder.) Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Stand brave and upright, that the Lord may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Protect the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath. (Pinches Crusader Rabbit's ear.) And that is so you remember it. Rise a knight!
First time I thought about Crusader Rabbit in 60 years.
I didn't even know about it then.
I’m Clutching my Cargo just thinking about it!
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