Yankees Move A Bust

I'm no Young MC and Andrew Brackman is no Randy Johnson. Many an eyebrow was raised when the Yankees selected Brackman with their first round pick (30th overall) in the 2007 MLB amateur draft.


The team already knew that Brackman needed Tommy John surgery, but still felt that picking the former N.C. State Wolfpack basketball player was a slam dunk. Were they ever wrong. Tuesday, the Yankees declined the 2012 option on Brackman, making him a free agent. While there's always a possibility the Yankees could bring him back with a minor league deal, the soon to be 26-yr old is likely headed to a new organization.

It's well documented that it's a difficult transition to the big leagues for exceptionally tall pitchers and the 6'10" Brackman fell in that category. It took Randy Johnson years to perfect the art of pitching, but not everyone is so lucky. The Mariners had another big lefty, 6'10" Ryan Anderson, in their farm system and dubbed him "Little Unit" as an homage to Johnson. It also told just how much the M's thought about Anderson.

Anderson was rated a top 25 prospect by Baseball America for five straight years (1998-2002). He averaged better than 12 strikeouts per nine innings, but injuries and a questionable work ethic ended his baseball career after the 2005 season. He never made it to the Major Leagues.

Will Brackman have the same fate? After rehab from surgery, Brackman pitched for Charleston in 2009 and was, as expected, not very good. He showed a lot of rust and his strikeout to walk ratio was an awful 1.36. He also threw 26 wild pitches and had an ERA above 5.00.

Brackman showed promise the following year at Tampa ('A+') and Trenton ('AA'), excelling after his promotion to the Eastern League's Thunder. Between the two levels he struck out 126 in 146.2 innings and walked 39 with a 3.90 ERA.

But this past season Brackman took a step backwards at Triple-A Scranton. He had a career low in strikeouts per nine innings and set a career high in walks per nine frames, with both figures at 7.0. A 1.635 WHIP, 19 wild pitches, a 6.00 ERA, and just 13 starts in his 33 appearances all added up to his subtraction from the Yankees 40-man roster.

While he is not yet in the category of a Brien Taylor, Brackman's window of opportunity to mak e the Majors is closing fast.

Yankees Select A Junior

Jr.

Sr.

Around 10:50 PM EDT tonight the Yankees made their first pick in the MLB amateur draft. Pick #51 is a name familiar to baseball and Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Dante Bichette Jr., son of the former Major Leaguer, Dante Bichette Sr. And on top of that, I learned from @TylerKepner that Girardi's son Dante is named after Sr., one of the Yankees manager's best friends (Bichette in turn has a son named Joseph).

The 6'1", 215 lb off-spring of the former Rockies' slugger is set to play shortstop at U of Georgia (per @TroyRenck), but with his power is expected to move to third base when he goes pro. According to mlbdraftguide.com, Jr. is one of the top prep players in country. "He is a pull hitter with excellent bat speed. Some adjustments to his swing may have to be made, including cutting down on lifting his front foot while hitting."

Here's some action of Bichette from 2010.



Bichette already knows what it is like to play under pressure- he was a member of the Georgia team that represented the Southeast during the 2005 Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. In 30 games this season for Orangewood Christian High School Baseball, the younger Bichette hit .640-10-40 with 55 runs scored, 14 doubles, and a pair of triples. He also walked 20 times and posted a 1.921 OPS...yes, you read that correctly. Bichette also used his speed to swipe 15 bases in as many attempts.

Now the question remains will Bichette become a Bulldog or a member of the GCL Yankees?

FullCountPitch - A Decade Of Number Ones: Part I

Making draft selections is a gamble in any sport, but no more so than with the Major League Baseball draft that takes place every June. Teams stockpile high school and college players over a 50 round selection process. The majority will never get the chance to play in any Major League Stadium, while others will surprise and grow into a starring role.

The most pressure, of course, is to be the number one selection overall. For every Joe Mauer, there is a Brien Taylor or a Danny Goodwin, who was actually the top pick in two different years (1971, 1975). With that in mind, it’s time to take a look back at the first overall picks in the last ten years of the MLB amateur (Rule IV) draft.

Read the rest of the free article at fullcountpitch.com

Matt Bush Bryan Bullington Justin Upton Delmon Young

Yankees Top Pick to Pinstripe it to Prom

Cito Culver has yet to ink a deal with the New York Yankees, but the team's top pick in this year's amatuer draft is ready to wear pinstripes. To the prom that is.

Culver and his best friend Josiah Heath picked out matching white tuxedos with black pinstripes and blue ties.

photo and information courtesy of Rocnow.com

Yankees 2010 Draft List

Here's the complete list of the Yankees amateur draft choices courtesy of Josh Norris, Trenton Thunder beat writer.

1	32	Cito Culver	SS	Irondequoit HS, Rochester, N.Y.	N.Y.
2	82	Angelo Gumbs	OF	Torrance (Calif.) HS	Calif.
3	112	Rob Segedin	3B	Tulane	La.
4	145	Mason Williams	OF	West Orange HS, Winter Garden, Fla.	Fla.
5	175	Tommy Kahnle	RHP	Lynn (Fla.)	Fla.
6	205	Gabe Encinas	RHP	St. Paul HS, Santa Fe Springs, Calif.	Calif.
7	235	Jake Anderson	OF	Woodlawn HS, Baton Rouge	La.
8	265	Kyle Roller	1B	East Carolina	N.C.
9	295	Taylor Morton	RHP	Bartlett (Tenn.) HS	Tenn.
10	325	Ben Gamel	OF	Bishop Kenny HS, Jacksonville, Fla.	Fla.
11	355	Zach Varce	RHP	Portland	Ore.
12	385	Daniel Burawa	RHP	St. John's	N.Y.
13	415	Tyler Austin	C	Heritage HS, Conyers, Ga.	Ga.
14	445	Travis Dean	RHP	Newton (Mass.) South HS	Mass.
15	475	Chase Whitley	RHP	Troy	Ala.
16	505	Evan Rutckyj	LHP	St. Joseph's HS, St. Thomas, Ont.
17	535	Preston Claiborne	RHP	Tulane	La.
18	565	Kevin Jacob	RHP	Georgia Tech	Georgia
19	595	Kevin Jordan	OF	Northside HS, Columbus, Ga.	Ga.
20	625	Mike Ferraro	OF	San Diego	Calif.
21	655	Dustin Hobbs	RHP	Yavapai (Ariz.) JC	Ariz.
22	685	Trevor Johnson	LHP	JC of the Desert (Calif.)	Calif.
23	715	Shane Brown	C	Central Florida	Fla.
24	745	Connor Mullee	RHP	Saint Peter's (N.J.)	N.J.
25	775	Casey Stevenson	2B	UC Irvine	Calif.
26	805	Richard Hively	RHP	Santa Ana (Calif.) JC	Calif.
27	835	Martin Viramontes	RHP	Loyola Marymount	Calif.
28	865	Josh Dezse	RHP	Olentangy Liberty HS, Powell, Ohio	Ohio
29	895	Stewart Ijames	OF	Louisville	Ky.
30	925	Zach Nuding	RHP	Weatherford (Texas) JC	Texas
31	955	Michael Gipson	RHP	Florida Atlantic	Fla.
32	985	Kramer Sneed	LHP	Barton (N.C.)	N.C.
33	1015	Michael Hachadorian	RHP	San Diego Mesa JC	Calif.
34	1045	Keenan Kisch	RHP	Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, Pa.	Pa.
35	1075	Will Oliver	RHP	Palomar (Calif.) JC	Calif.
36	1105	Nick McCoy	C	San Diego	Calif.
37	1135	Cam Hobson	LHP	Dayton	Ohio
38	1165	James Ramsay	OF	Brandon (Fla.) HS	Fla.
39	1195	Jacob Brugman	OF	Desert Vista HS, Phoenix	Ariz.
40	1225	Mike Gerber	OF	Neuqua Valley HS, Napierville, Ill.	Ill.
41	1255	Tymothy Pearson	OF	Thurston HS, Springfield, Ore.	Ore.
42	1285	Mike O'Neill	OF	Olentangy Liberty HS, Powell, Ohio	Ohio
43	1315	Kyle Hunter	LHP	Kansas State	Kan.
44	1345	David Middendorf	LHP	Northern Kentucky	Ky.
46	1405	Nathan Forer	RHP	Southern Illinois	Ill.
47	1435	Frederick Lewis	LHP	Tennessee Wesleyan	Tenn.
48	1465	Alex Brown	RHP	Amphitheater HS, Tucson	Ariz.
49	1495	Will Arthur	OF	Abbotsford (B.C.) SS
50	1525	Matt Rice	C	Western Kentucky	Ky.

Harper No. 1 Pick and Then Who Cares

I don't mean to belittle what people like, but how can people watch tonight's airing of the MLB amateur draft? Bryce Harper was the obvious first pick by the Washington Nationals - by the way, as I mentioned the other day on Twitter, someone tell this guy lamp black is not supposed to be worn like facial hair - and then the really big crap shoot begins.

Seriously...high school players make up the bulk of the draft. You cannot possibly foresee a long and illustrious career for any player coming out of high school, especially a high school pitcher. On top of that 99% of the viewers haven't heard of 99% of the players.

The draft is more Brien Taylor and Eric Duncan than Derek Jeter. And so, I'll let everyone else watch and give you a synopsis of Yankees picks at a later date.

With the 140th pick - Corban Joseph

The Yankees went back to the high school ranks to select SS Corban Joseph, the 140th pick overall, in the 3rd round. The 6'0", 168 pounder is a product of Franklin High School in Tennessee. Joseph had committed to the University of Kentucky, but he told Tennessean.com that he will likely go pro.

I've always wanted to play professional ball," said Joseph, who hit .510 with 15 home runs and was The Tennessean's Midstate Player of the Year. "I'm pretty sure I will go."

"I want my swing to look good," said Joseph, The Tennessean 2008 baseball player of the year.

"I can tell when my swing is off. I can look at it on video and tell what I did."And more important — he can correct it."Corban is a pure and natural talent at swinging the bat," Franklin assistant coach Kurt Jones said. "He has the potential to be a great hitter in the major leagues. The reason why is every pitch he makes an adjustment."High school kids don't normally do that."They also don't normally spend hours looking at video clips from multiple angles, dissecting every part of a swing. And they don't call up an assistant like Jones throughout the season for extra batting practice.

With the 140th pick - Corban Joseph

The Yankees went back to the high school ranks to select SS Corban Joseph, the 140th pick overall, in the 3rd round. The 6'0", 168 pounder is a product of Franklin High School in Tennessee. Joseph had committed to the University of Kentucky, but he told Tennessean.com that he will likely go pro.

I've always wanted to play professional ball," said Joseph, who hit .510 with 15 home runs and was The Tennessean's Midstate Player of the Year. "I'm pretty sure I will go."

"I want my swing to look good," said Joseph, The Tennessean 2008 baseball player of the year.

"I can tell when my swing is off. I can look at it on video and tell what I did."And more important — he can correct it."Corban is a pure and natural talent at swinging the bat," Franklin assistant coach Kurt Jones said. "He has the potential to be a great hitter in the major leagues. The reason why is every pitch he makes an adjustment."High school kids don't normally do that."They also don't normally spend hours looking at video clips from multiple angles, dissecting every part of a swing. And they don't call up an assistant like Jones throughout the season for extra batting practice.

Wake Up Cano

The Yankees used their 3rd round pick to take 2nd Baseman David Adams, from the U. of Virginia.

From mlb.com

2nd Baseman David Adams, U. of VA

Player Name: David Adams
Position: Second base


School: University of Virginia
School Type: College
Academic Class: Junior
Birthdate: 05/15/87
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Report Date(s): 05/09/08
Game(s): North Carolina


Focus Area

Comments
Hitting Ability: While Adams hasn't had a great season with the bat this spring, he's always hit in the past, including with wood in the Cape Cod League. His approach is going the other way and using his hands for contact.
Power: It's not a big part of his game, but like with a lot of Virginia players, he'll probably show more -- 10 to 15 homers, perhaps -- once he's out of UVA's huge home park.
Running Speed: He's got below-average speed.
Base running: While speed is not a tool, he's a good baserunner who has used his instincts to steal some bases in college.
Arm Strength: He's got more than enough arm to be a good second baseman at the next level.
Fielding: He's adequate at second, with good hands and turns the double play well.
Range: His range is just average.
Physical Description: Adams is a decent-sized middle infielder who isn't flashy but gets the job done
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: History of good hitting ability, great makeup, plays the game the right way.
Weaknesses: He hasn't hit well this spring, he doesn't have any one tool that jumps out.
Summary: The University of Virginia has become a good proving ground for legit pro prospects in recent years, and while Adams isn't Ryan Zimmerman, he should do pretty well in this year's Draft. A solid hard-nosed type, he gets the ultimate praise from scouts as being a real "baseball player." He's hit in the past, but didn't fare so well this season, which might affect him somewhat, but likely not too much.

Wake Up Cano

The Yankees used their 3rd round pick to take 2nd Baseman David Adams, from the U. of Virginia.

From mlb.com

2nd Baseman David Adams, U. of VA

Player Name: David Adams
Position: Second base


School: University of Virginia
School Type: College
Academic Class: Junior
Birthdate: 05/15/87
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Report Date(s): 05/09/08
Game(s): North Carolina


Focus Area

Comments
Hitting Ability: While Adams hasn't had a great season with the bat this spring, he's always hit in the past, including with wood in the Cape Cod League. His approach is going the other way and using his hands for contact.
Power: It's not a big part of his game, but like with a lot of Virginia players, he'll probably show more -- 10 to 15 homers, perhaps -- once he's out of UVA's huge home park.
Running Speed: He's got below-average speed.
Base running: While speed is not a tool, he's a good baserunner who has used his instincts to steal some bases in college.
Arm Strength: He's got more than enough arm to be a good second baseman at the next level.
Fielding: He's adequate at second, with good hands and turns the double play well.
Range: His range is just average.
Physical Description: Adams is a decent-sized middle infielder who isn't flashy but gets the job done
Medical Update: Healthy.
Strengths: History of good hitting ability, great makeup, plays the game the right way.
Weaknesses: He hasn't hit well this spring, he doesn't have any one tool that jumps out.
Summary: The University of Virginia has become a good proving ground for legit pro prospects in recent years, and while Adams isn't Ryan Zimmerman, he should do pretty well in this year's Draft. A solid hard-nosed type, he gets the ultimate praise from scouts as being a real "baseball player." He's hit in the past, but didn't fare so well this season, which might affect him somewhat, but likely not too much.

Pick No. 75 - Scott Bittle

With their 2nd round selection in the first day of drafting, the Yankees continued to stock pitching. Scott Bittle, a 6'1", 190 lb right-hander from 'Ole Miss was the choice.

From the Clarion Ledger:

Bittle became one of the nation's elite relievers this season. He struck out 130 batters in just 70 2/3 innings, finishing with a 7-1 record and eight saves.

From OleMiss.edu:

Bittle took the Southeastern Conference by storm this season, leading the league in strikeouts with 118 in the season and finished with 130 following the NCAA Regional in Miami. The 130 strikeouts is third on the single season list. Bittle posted a 7-1 record and picked up eight saves on the year, putting him seventh on the single season saves list. His 15 saves for his career is third all-time.

Bittle was named an All-SEC second team selection as a reliever this year and was named as a finalist for the Stopper of the Year and a semi-finalist for the Clemens Award.

“It’s a great honor to be selected by the New York Yankees,” Bittle said. “I grew up watching them and love the style of play and the tradition of being a Yankee. It’s a really great time for me and want to thank the Yankees for selecting me. I also want to thank Coach Bianco and the Ole Miss baseball family for giving me the opportunity to take this step.”

2007: Made 28 appearances on the season, including 25 relief appearances and three starts ... Posted a 2-5 record on the year with seven saves ... His seven saves tied for second most in the Southeastern Conference on the year ... His 25 appearances was fifth in the SEC ... His 18 games finished was fifth in the SEC ... Struck out 59 and walked only 17 in 42.0 IP while turning in an ERA of 2.79 ... Picked up the win in his first start against Murray State (4/24) ... The performance against Murray State was his most dominant as he stuck out five and walked none with only one hit in 3.0 IP ... Posted saves against No. 21 Evansville (2/18), Memphis (2/20), Belmont (2/27), No. 5 Arkansas (3/2), Austin Peay (3/6), No. 23 UCLA (3/11) and South Alabama (3/20) ... Pitched a season long 7.0 innings in a start against No. 1 Vanderbilt in the semi-finals of the SEC Tournament ... NCAA POSTSEASON: Drew the start in the NCAA Oxford Regional Championship Game against Sam Houston State ...

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Lettered two years at Northeast Texas Community College under head coach Chris Smith ... Named an All-Conference selection ... Selected to participate in the Texas-New Mexico All-Star Game ... Posted a 6-4 record in 11 appearances with a 4.24 ERA in 2005 ... Posted 67 strikeouts and walked only 23 in 58.0 IP ...

HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time letterwinner at Texas High School under head coach Glenn Welch ... Selected to the All-District Team ... Posted a 5-3 record with two saves in 12 appearances ... Struck out 77 and walked 43 in 55 innings of work with a 2.08 ERA as a senior in 2004 ...

MISCELLANEOUS: Son of Joe and Nancy Bittle ... Born: August 27, 1986 ... Has one sister, Stacy (22) ... Graduated Cum Laude from Texas High ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Played summer league ball for the Mineral Wells Steam and was selected to play in the Texas Collegiate League All-Star Game ... Major is Psychology.

Pick No. 75 - Scott Bittle

With their 2nd round selection in the first day of drafting, the Yankees continued to stock pitching. Scott Bittle, a 6'1", 190 lb right-hander from 'Ole Miss was the choice.

From the Clarion Ledger:

Bittle became one of the nation's elite relievers this season. He struck out 130 batters in just 70 2/3 innings, finishing with a 7-1 record and eight saves.

From OleMiss.edu:

Bittle took the Southeastern Conference by storm this season, leading the league in strikeouts with 118 in the season and finished with 130 following the NCAA Regional in Miami. The 130 strikeouts is third on the single season list. Bittle posted a 7-1 record and picked up eight saves on the year, putting him seventh on the single season saves list. His 15 saves for his career is third all-time.

Bittle was named an All-SEC second team selection as a reliever this year and was named as a finalist for the Stopper of the Year and a semi-finalist for the Clemens Award.

“It’s a great honor to be selected by the New York Yankees,” Bittle said. “I grew up watching them and love the style of play and the tradition of being a Yankee. It’s a really great time for me and want to thank the Yankees for selecting me. I also want to thank Coach Bianco and the Ole Miss baseball family for giving me the opportunity to take this step.”

2007: Made 28 appearances on the season, including 25 relief appearances and three starts ... Posted a 2-5 record on the year with seven saves ... His seven saves tied for second most in the Southeastern Conference on the year ... His 25 appearances was fifth in the SEC ... His 18 games finished was fifth in the SEC ... Struck out 59 and walked only 17 in 42.0 IP while turning in an ERA of 2.79 ... Picked up the win in his first start against Murray State (4/24) ... The performance against Murray State was his most dominant as he stuck out five and walked none with only one hit in 3.0 IP ... Posted saves against No. 21 Evansville (2/18), Memphis (2/20), Belmont (2/27), No. 5 Arkansas (3/2), Austin Peay (3/6), No. 23 UCLA (3/11) and South Alabama (3/20) ... Pitched a season long 7.0 innings in a start against No. 1 Vanderbilt in the semi-finals of the SEC Tournament ... NCAA POSTSEASON: Drew the start in the NCAA Oxford Regional Championship Game against Sam Houston State ...

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Lettered two years at Northeast Texas Community College under head coach Chris Smith ... Named an All-Conference selection ... Selected to participate in the Texas-New Mexico All-Star Game ... Posted a 6-4 record in 11 appearances with a 4.24 ERA in 2005 ... Posted 67 strikeouts and walked only 23 in 58.0 IP ...

HIGH SCHOOL: Two-time letterwinner at Texas High School under head coach Glenn Welch ... Selected to the All-District Team ... Posted a 5-3 record with two saves in 12 appearances ... Struck out 77 and walked 43 in 55 innings of work with a 2.08 ERA as a senior in 2004 ...

MISCELLANEOUS: Son of Joe and Nancy Bittle ... Born: August 27, 1986 ... Has one sister, Stacy (22) ... Graduated Cum Laude from Texas High ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Played summer league ball for the Mineral Wells Steam and was selected to play in the Texas Collegiate League All-Star Game ... Major is Psychology.

Yankees 2nd Pick - Jeremy Bleich

The Yankees took left-handed pitcher Jeremy Bleich (Stanford U) with the 1st round compensation pick they got for Luis Vizcaino.

Peter Abraham has a Q&A with Stanford Daily writer Wyndam Makowsky about Bleich.

From Stanford.edu:

Parents: Stan and Caron Bleich
Major: Economics
I would describe myself as a person as: Funny, competitive, intelligent, hard-working and diligent
The reason I love baseball is: It's a game of failure and you need to learn how to deal with failure in order to succeed, just like you do in life
The reason I chose Stanford is: It's the best academic and athletic combination in the country
I pattern my game after: Andy Pettitte
Greatest Athletic Moment: Representing the United States in Mexico for the Pan Am Championships
The biggest thrill of my life to date is: Going into the Astros' clubhouse and meeting four of the players
The best thing about Stanford is: The care of the administration about both athletics and academics
Favorite Movie: The Sandlot
Favorite Book: Moneyball
What sets Stanford Baseball apart from other collegiate baseball programs is: Hard work
The person I admire most is: My father
The thing I love most about baseball is: Even when you fail your next chance is right around the corner
My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be: Throwing a shutout in the College World Series
Best Advice Received: Don't be good, be great
Advice To Youngsters: Don't let anyone outwork you
For me to improve as a player, I need to: Be more consistent
My parents were right when they told me: Hard work eventually pays off
Did You Know? Jeremy attended the K-12 Isidore Newman School for 13 years
I am most thankful in life for: My health
Earliest Baseball Memory: Playing tee-ball at age five

Yankees 2nd Pick - Jeremy Bleich

The Yankees took left-handed pitcher Jeremy Bleich (Stanford U) with the 1st round compensation pick they got for Luis Vizcaino.

Peter Abraham has a Q&A with Stanford Daily writer Wyndam Makowsky about Bleich.

From Stanford.edu:

Parents: Stan and Caron Bleich
Major: Economics
I would describe myself as a person as: Funny, competitive, intelligent, hard-working and diligent
The reason I love baseball is: It's a game of failure and you need to learn how to deal with failure in order to succeed, just like you do in life
The reason I chose Stanford is: It's the best academic and athletic combination in the country
I pattern my game after: Andy Pettitte
Greatest Athletic Moment: Representing the United States in Mexico for the Pan Am Championships
The biggest thrill of my life to date is: Going into the Astros' clubhouse and meeting four of the players
The best thing about Stanford is: The care of the administration about both athletics and academics
Favorite Movie: The Sandlot
Favorite Book: Moneyball
What sets Stanford Baseball apart from other collegiate baseball programs is: Hard work
The person I admire most is: My father
The thing I love most about baseball is: Even when you fail your next chance is right around the corner
My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be: Throwing a shutout in the College World Series
Best Advice Received: Don't be good, be great
Advice To Youngsters: Don't let anyone outwork you
For me to improve as a player, I need to: Be more consistent
My parents were right when they told me: Hard work eventually pays off
Did You Know? Jeremy attended the K-12 Isidore Newman School for 13 years
I am most thankful in life for: My health
Earliest Baseball Memory: Playing tee-ball at age five

Beckham Will Top Amateur Draft

MLB.com reports that the Tampa Rays will select high school shortstop Tim Beckham with the 1st pick in this afternoon's amateur draft. The Rays have confirmed that Beckham will be the pick. The draft kicks off this afternoon at 2 P.M. EDT.

Beckham Will Top Amateur Draft

MLB.com reports that the Tampa Rays will select high school shortstop Tim Beckham with the 1st pick in this afternoon's amateur draft. The Rays have confirmed that Beckham will be the pick. The draft kicks off this afternoon at 2 P.M. EDT.

Yankees Sign No. 1 Pick

From Baseball America:

Yanks Get Brackman Done

Posted Aug. 15, 2007 3:16 pm by John Manuel
Filed under: Signings

The Newark Star-Ledger’s Dan Graziano and Ed Price–a former BA staffer, in the interest of full disclosure–have reported that the Yankees have signed their first-round pick, righthander Andrew Brackman. Baseball America has confirmed the contract’s details with another source with knowledge of the deal.The former North Carolina State two-sport talent signed a major league contract, worth a guaranteed $4.5 million with a $3.3 million bonus.

However, that’s the low-end guarantee. Even though Brackman might need elbow surgery–he’s in Birmingham, Ala., right now to see Dr. James Andrews–the Yankees have signed him to a deal that could be worth up to $13 million when escalator clauses and team options are included.
It’s a significant contract for the 6-foot-10 pitcher and Boras Corporation client, who went 6-4, 3.81 for the Wolfpack this spring in a career-high 78 innings. Brackman played basketball and baseball his first two seasons at N.C. State, limiting him to 71 innings combined. He appeared to wear down under the heavier workload this spring, withering down the stretch. However, at his best, Brackman had some of the best stuff and athleticism of any pitcher in the draft, touching 99 mph at times with his fastball and flashing a plus spike curveball.

Brackman’s deal leaves seven unsigned first-round picks: Nos. 1 (David Price, Devil Rays), 2 (Mike Moustakas, Royals) and 3 (Josh Vitters, Cubs) overall; No. 5 pick Matt Wieters (Orioles); and Nos. 9 (Jarrod Parker, Diamondbacks), 11 (Phillippe Aumont, Rockies) and 12 (Matt Dominguez, Marlins).

Yankees Sign No. 1 Pick

From Baseball America:

Yanks Get Brackman Done

Posted Aug. 15, 2007 3:16 pm by John Manuel
Filed under: Signings

The Newark Star-Ledger’s Dan Graziano and Ed Price–a former BA staffer, in the interest of full disclosure–have reported that the Yankees have signed their first-round pick, righthander Andrew Brackman. Baseball America has confirmed the contract’s details with another source with knowledge of the deal.The former North Carolina State two-sport talent signed a major league contract, worth a guaranteed $4.5 million with a $3.3 million bonus.

However, that’s the low-end guarantee. Even though Brackman might need elbow surgery–he’s in Birmingham, Ala., right now to see Dr. James Andrews–the Yankees have signed him to a deal that could be worth up to $13 million when escalator clauses and team options are included.
It’s a significant contract for the 6-foot-10 pitcher and Boras Corporation client, who went 6-4, 3.81 for the Wolfpack this spring in a career-high 78 innings. Brackman played basketball and baseball his first two seasons at N.C. State, limiting him to 71 innings combined. He appeared to wear down under the heavier workload this spring, withering down the stretch. However, at his best, Brackman had some of the best stuff and athleticism of any pitcher in the draft, touching 99 mph at times with his fastball and flashing a plus spike curveball.

Brackman’s deal leaves seven unsigned first-round picks: Nos. 1 (David Price, Devil Rays), 2 (Mike Moustakas, Royals) and 3 (Josh Vitters, Cubs) overall; No. 5 pick Matt Wieters (Orioles); and Nos. 9 (Jarrod Parker, Diamondbacks), 11 (Phillippe Aumont, Rockies) and 12 (Matt Dominguez, Marlins).

Yankees Draft Rounds 6 - 10

The Yankees selected high school catcher Richard Weems in the 6th round of today's 2nd phase of the baseball amateur draft. Weems, from Columbus, GA, has committed to the U. of Alabama for this Fall, but of course all that can change with a nice signing bonus. Weems has gotten very high marks for his defense.

The 7th round selection was infielder Damon Sublett of Wichita St. University. The junior 2nd Baseman was the Missouri Valley Conference's player of the year in 2006.

Here's a write up from Scout.com from this past May:

2B - Damon Sublett (LH - .372 - 4 - 38 - 11) is one of team's best hitters along with Schermerhorn. Sublett is a very good all around player - hitting, running, fielding - and is also thought highly of by MLB scouts as a pitcher (although he hasn't pitched much this year after having arm problems last year). Sublett is also very patient at the plate, leading the team in walks. He usually hits 3rd but sometimes leads off.

The 8th round selection was Taylor Grote, a senior outfielder for Woodlands (Texas) High School.

This is a little worrysome - he answered a questionnaire "Boston Red Sox" for the one team you could pick to be on..and Big Papi is his favorite player. We'll just have to break him.

Grote has signed a letter of intent to the U. of Texas.


No, not an actor on the Sopranos. It's the Yankees 9th rd pick - Austin Krum, a junior centerfielder from independent college Dallas Baptist University. Krum was a 1st team member for the all-independent team.

Krum named to the team because of his play in centerfield, led the Patriots in hits (82), doubles (17), triples (8), total bases (142), and slugging percentage (.594), while he compiled the second highest batting average on the team (.343).

Krum patterns his game after Indians' centerfielder Grady Sizemore.


The 10th round pick is Louisianna high school standout Carmen Angelini of Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La.. Gatorade joined with RISE Magazine to name senior infielder CARMEN ANGELINI of BARBE HIGH in Lake Charles as its 2006-07 Louisiana Baseball Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-1 and 185-pound senior infielder carried the Bucs (35-5) as high as the No. 5 ranking in this spring’s USA Today national poll. Barbe’s season ended in the Class 5A state tournament quarterfinals, but Angelini scored 58 runs in 40 games and drove home 52, clouting six home runs and a school-record eight triples.

Playing shortstop in 2007, he mashed 28 extra-base hits among the 65 times he reached safely, amassing a .443 batting average, a .500 on-base percentage and slugging .753—striking out just five times in 160 at-bats. He flashed his speed often on the base paths, stealing 38 bases in 42 attempts. He was the state’s Mr. Baseball in 2007 and was also named the Class 5A MVP as selected by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

He's committed to Rice University for this Fall.

Yankees Draft Rounds 6 - 10

The Yankees selected high school catcher Richard Weems in the 6th round of today's 2nd phase of the baseball amateur draft. Weems, from Columbus, GA, has committed to the U. of Alabama for this Fall, but of course all that can change with a nice signing bonus. Weems has gotten very high marks for his defense.

The 7th round selection was infielder Damon Sublett of Wichita St. University. The junior 2nd Baseman was the Missouri Valley Conference's player of the year in 2006.

Here's a write up from Scout.com from this past May:

2B - Damon Sublett (LH - .372 - 4 - 38 - 11) is one of team's best hitters along with Schermerhorn. Sublett is a very good all around player - hitting, running, fielding - and is also thought highly of by MLB scouts as a pitcher (although he hasn't pitched much this year after having arm problems last year). Sublett is also very patient at the plate, leading the team in walks. He usually hits 3rd but sometimes leads off.

The 8th round selection was Taylor Grote, a senior outfielder for Woodlands (Texas) High School.

This is a little worrysome - he answered a questionnaire "Boston Red Sox" for the one team you could pick to be on..and Big Papi is his favorite player. We'll just have to break him.

Grote has signed a letter of intent to the U. of Texas.


No, not an actor on the Sopranos. It's the Yankees 9th rd pick - Austin Krum, a junior centerfielder from independent college Dallas Baptist University. Krum was a 1st team member for the all-independent team.

Krum named to the team because of his play in centerfield, led the Patriots in hits (82), doubles (17), triples (8), total bases (142), and slugging percentage (.594), while he compiled the second highest batting average on the team (.343).

Krum patterns his game after Indians' centerfielder Grady Sizemore.


The 10th round pick is Louisianna high school standout Carmen Angelini of Barbe HS, Lake Charles, La.. Gatorade joined with RISE Magazine to name senior infielder CARMEN ANGELINI of BARBE HIGH in Lake Charles as its 2006-07 Louisiana Baseball Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-1 and 185-pound senior infielder carried the Bucs (35-5) as high as the No. 5 ranking in this spring’s USA Today national poll. Barbe’s season ended in the Class 5A state tournament quarterfinals, but Angelini scored 58 runs in 40 games and drove home 52, clouting six home runs and a school-record eight triples.

Playing shortstop in 2007, he mashed 28 extra-base hits among the 65 times he reached safely, amassing a .443 batting average, a .500 on-base percentage and slugging .753—striking out just five times in 160 at-bats. He flashed his speed often on the base paths, stealing 38 bases in 42 attempts. He was the state’s Mr. Baseball in 2007 and was also named the Class 5A MVP as selected by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

He's committed to Rice University for this Fall.