Down on the Farm

Lisa Kennelley of the Star-Ledger did a very nice piece in yesterday's paper on the rise of Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain, and the friendly rivalry between them. The two dominated "A" Ball at Tampa and are now doing the same for Double-A Trenton.
Click Here to read the story.

Austin Jackson has made quite the impression at Tampa after struggling at Charlotte. The 20-year old outfielder hit .304 for the GCL Yankees in his 2005 rookie campaign. But Jackson hit just .260 for the River Dogs in '06 and was hitting for the exact same average this season. Nevertheless, the Yankees bumped him up to Tampa and the change has done Jackson good.

In 13 games, he's hitting .420 (21-50) with 2 HRs, 6 RBI, 6 walks, 2 steals, and a 1.123 OPS.

The GCL Yankees have started out 8-6 thanks in part to the offense provided by Ryan Wehrle and Zoilo Amonte. Wehrle was an All-American for Nebraska as a sophomore, but struggled badly in his junior year in this past season. The Yankees selected him in the 20th round of this year's amateur draft. So far he's made the adjustment to pro ball, hitting .357 with 5 doubles, RBI and 6 walks in 20 games.

Amonte is an 18 year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic, who hit just .219 in the Dominican Summer League last year. But through 13 games in the GCL, he's posted a .298 average with a HR, triple, and 4 doubles.