Roberts Handed Second Base

I wouldn't be surprised if Brian Cashman held a lucky rabbit's foot, wore a four leaf clover around his neck, and said a novena or Hail Mary or two when Brian Roberts put ink to paper and signed his contract with the New York Yankees.

With Kelly Johnson also in camp, manager Joe Girardi announced that Roberts would be his starting second baseman when the team heads north (actually west to play the Houston Astros) to start the regular season. Roberts isn't expected to replace the production that the Yankees will miss from Robinson Cano, but they hope Roberts and others can collectively make up some of that ground.

A once quick-as-a-rabbit youngster, Roberts joins a team of older, injured players. Well, most of them were injured last year anyway. For Roberts it's been a myriad of injuries over the last several years.

Roberts suffered an abdominal strain in 2010 that kept him out  of the lineup from April to July and limited him to 59 games. (He also suffered from a herniated disc in his back during Spring Training in 2010.)

In May of 2011, Roberts hit the back of his head sliding into first base and suffered a serious concussion. He missed the rest of the 2011 season and didn't return to the Majors until June, 2012.  But he wasn't active for long.

Roberts hurt his groin in early July and was placed back on the DL. At the end of the month he opted for season ending hip surgery. During the off-season he also had surgery to repair a sports hernia. He played in 17 games, the lowest number of his career and the same number his new double play partner, Derek Jeter, played in his own injury plagued 2013 season.

In April, 2013 Roberts made another trip to the DL after he ruptured a tendon in a portion of hamstring behind his right knee and underwent surgery. It kept him out of an Orioles uniform until June 30. His 77 games played was the most action he saw over a four year stretch of injuries and surgeries, but his production was far below his norm. (.249/.312/.392 slash line)

The Yankees hope to see a glimpse of the former first round pick (50th overall out of U. of South Carolina in 1999). Roberts was a two-time All-Star who combined some pop with speed (90 stolen bases 2007-2008) and was often a Yankees killer. A typical season for Roberts saw 13 home runs, 64 RBI, 36 steals, 45 doubles, and 99 runs scored. 

In attempt to keep him healthy, Girardi may very well put the reins on Roberts when it comes to stolen base attempts and it will be interesting to see where he bats in the lineup with a pair of lead off men - Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner - already in the lineup.

The Yankees and Roberts don't care where he bats as long as he can stay healthy and productive.

From Cano to Katoh?

Years from now Robinson Cano could be grooming his eventual replacement, Gosuke Katoh. The second baseman for Rancho Bernardo High School in California was the Yankees fourth selection in Thursday's MLB Amateur draft.

After three picks in the first round, the Yankees took Katoh with the 27th pick of the second round, 66th overall. Current Yankee Ichiro Suzuki is Katoh's idol and has influenced the 18-year old's approach at the plate. The senior is listed as 6'2", 180 lbs and bats from the left side.

The Yankees will be competing with UCLA for Katoh's services. Here's MLB.com's scouting report:

Katoh is the rare high school second baseman who is regarded as a legitimate prospect. He is a solid defender with sure hands and good range. His arm is below average, but it is good enough for second base. Offensively, Katoh has modeled his swing after Ichiro Suzuki. He makes a lot of contact with his compact stroke and takes advantage of his plus speed. Katoh isn't known for his power, but showed some pop this spring. Katoh has a good feel for the game and his instincts allow his tools to play up. He is committed to UCLA.