Kids Bring It Home

I have to say that the kids are impressing me, with a few contributing to a come-from-behind, ninth-inning win against Cleveland, 7-6.  There are a couple weeks until Opening Day, but several young players have made strong impressions, and a few of them are actually pushing for a spot.   Among the more established players, Melky the Clutch may or may not be playing with the motivation of not having received the rich deal he desired.  Personally, I think it's as much a matter of hard-ball, paring down costs in negotiations that Cashman is executing as much as it might be instilling motivation for the kids, for Joba didn't get much of a raise, either--same circumstances apply there.  Either way, there's no question that Melky is playing hard and well this Spring, batting .414, drawing a walk to go with his single today, and stealing his second base of Spring Training.   Cano was 1-3 and is hitting .429 [three hits every seven at-bats]--not too shabby.

Among those looking for more playing time or perhaps a roster spot, Shelley the Invincible is tearing the cover off the ball, batting .333 and belting his third homer of the Spring, a monster shot to center off C.C. Sabathia.  Brett Gardner is making Brian Cashman look like a genius, hitting a single, drawing a walk, and scoring a run. He's batting .435 this Spring.  Cashman's line about Gardner being like Juan Pierre with the ability to draw a walk is probably as much a reflection on what Melky needs to do more of--draw a walk--as it is on Gardner's abilities.  I'd be shocked if Gardner isn't on the 40-man roster and, depending on how enamored Girardi is with his abilities, is certainly making the issue of back-up positions a tougher choice.  Jason Lane and Morgan Ensberg haven't been slouches in camp, and have hit fairly well.  But while both add righty pop, neither would necessarily play more than Gardner, whose speed, youth, and aggressiveness seem a very good fit for Girardi's somewhat new-look Yankees.  It might be better for Gardner to start the season at Scranton to get regular playing time.  But watch for him to be on the 40-man roster, at the very least.  The Yankees have their collective organizational eye on him, with good reason.

Scott Patterson, along with Billy Traber, is also making things interesting for Eiland and Girardi, not having surrendered a run in six Spring Training innings.  His herky-jerky motion seems to deceive batters, hiding pretty good speed and stuff to keep hitters, thus far at least, off-balance.  Whether or not he makes the bigs is a tough call.  If nothing else, that the Yankees are amassing good arms, potentially down the road for the bullpen, is clearly a positive development.  Patterson likely won't be any worse than T.J. Beam, and is earning additional time.

Few surprises among the regulars have emerged this Spring.  If this Spring continues as it has, the real story will be who rounds out the roster.  Don't be surprised to see a couple kids chosen over veterans.