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Around the Empire: New York Yankees News - 8/4/13

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Yesterday on Pinstriped Bible


Around the Internet

Quick Hits

Questions of the Day

  • How would you rank the five starters in the rotation right now?
  • If the Yankees save money from A-Rod's suspension, who should they sign with that money?
  • What is your go to dance move?
  • What do you put on your hot dog/hamburger?

Coming Up Today


Is Derek Jeter done as an every day shortstop?

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Derek Jeter's career as a shortstop has been a pretty successful one, to put it mildly. The 2013 season is his 19th year in the big leagues, but unfortunately, like a lot of other Yankees, it has been injury-filled. Of course it all started during last year's Game One of the ALCS when he fractured his left ankle before breaking it again in spring training five months later. Four months passed, he came back, injured his quad, came back again two weeks after that, played a handful of games, and is now sidelined until at least Monday with soreness in his right calf and quad. With all these injuries adding up for Derek, one can only wonder if he's done as a shortstop.

At 39 years of age, it's not crazy at all to think that, defensively, Jeter is done as a shortstop. Besides, despite what the mainstream media has told you over the years, he is not very good defensively. Over the course of his career, he has been rated as well below-average according to UZR (-63.8), DRS (-144), and dWAR (-8.9), among other advanced metrics, thus him not manning shortstop might not be the worst thing in the world.

If Jeter is truly done as a shortstop, it's obvious that the team will have to look for a viable replacement this month and maybe during next offseason, with the latter more likely to yield a better player than the former. The free agent options aren't very welcoming as the two best players that'll hit the market are Stephen Drew and Jhonny Peralta. Drew has had a bit of an up-and-down career and is hitting .239/.324/.424 with a 101 wRC+ this year for the Red Sox. Peralta, on the other hand, will most likely be coming off a Biogenesis suspension, and he is currently hitting .305/.360/.463 with 126 wRC+, albeit with a sky-high .381 BABIP for the Tigers. The Yankees could always turn to the trade market next winter, of course, to find a replacement, but who really knows who will be available for trade by then. That said, I don't want to get too ahead of myself. That's a long ways away.

Keeping this in mind, it's pretty unlikely that the Yankees will simply stop playing Jeter at short once he comes back, and even going into next season, since, you know, he's Derek Jeter. But I have to think they'll be pretty careful when it comes to how often he'll play the position. I mean, he first injured his quad during his first game back against the Royals a few weeks ago, then he re-aggravated the same quad and now has calf soreness to go along with it. What we're currently witnessing could truly be the beginning of the end for Derek Jeter as a shortstop, and it's a pretty sad thing to watch.

More from Pinstriped Bible:

Streamer Report: Monday's Streamers

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The Streamer Report provides you with daily startng pitcher streaming selections for owners who prefer to stream starting pitchers on a daily basis. This report identifies starting pitchers who are owned in less than 50% of ESPN Yahoo leagues, and who either has a decent track record vs their opponent, has pitched well of late, or has a decent matchup.

Before I get into Monday's streamers, let's take a look at how Jason's and Alex's picks fared this weekend:

Friday's Streamers

Andrew Cashner vs. NYY - 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, W

Samuel Deduno vs. HOU - 6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 5 K

Tom Gorzelanny vs. WAS - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, K

Combined stats: 14 IP, 12 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 8 K, W, 2.57 ERA, 1.21 WHIP

Saturday's Streamers

Bruce Chen at Mets - 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 0 BB, 8 K

Ivan Nova at Padres - 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, BB, 8 K, W

Jacob Turner vs. Indians - 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

Combined stats: 19 IP, 14 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 22 K, W, 1.42 ERA, 0.89 WHIP

Monday's Streamers

Jose Quintana vs Yankees

Quintana is owned in under 10% of ESPN leagues and he gets to face the Yankees who are struggling with injuries and dealing with the Alex Rodriguez suspension. He has made 22 starts this season and put up a respectable 5 wins, 3.62 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.

Chad Gaudin vs Brewers

Gaudin is owned in 8.2% of ESPN leagues and gets to face the decimated Brewers lineup that is without Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez. Gaudin has pitched very well of late, giving up one run or less in five of his last six starts.

Jeremy Guthrie vs Twins

Guthrie is owned in 14.5% of ESPN leagues and limited the Twins to just two runs over six innings in his last start. Guthrie is one of those hit or miss starters and I see him pitching well vs the Twins once again.

Derek Jeter, Michael Pineda, and David Phelps all facing injury reevaluations

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Breaking news: 2013 has not been a healthy year for the Yankees' players. The latest in a season chock-full of busted hips, backs, shoulders, ankles, quads, and mental well-being:

Due to this calf injury and some quad soreness, Derek Jeter was scheduled to be on the bench for the remainder of the DH-less series against the Padres after limping through Friday night's game. The MRI could just be precautionary as the Yankees don't want to take any chances of Jeter getting seriously injured again. Nonetheless, Joe Girardi could not rule out a third DL stint if Jeter has to rest to recover. Beat writer Andy McCullough mentioned the darkly amusing possibility of Alex Rodriguez replacing Jeter on the roster if Jeter does need a DL stint and A-Rod is allowed to play on Monday against the White Sox through a grievance.

If the plays, Jeter will almost surely need significant DH time in the White Sox series since they want to use him against the three lefties in a row. The Yankees and their fans will anxiously await the MRI results and hope the Captain doesn't need further time on the DL in this ugly season. Jeter's setback wasn't the only injury casualty in Sunday news. IT GETS BETTER!

The Yankees have been extremely cautious with Pineda in his rehab starts with Scranton as he recovers from serious shoulder surgery on his torn labrum from early 2012. He has not thrown more than five innings in any start, and he was pulled after just two innings and 29 pitches in his most recent appearance on August 2nd. The shoulder was unfortunately the cause of the early hook, and the Yankees will also have to just hope that the shoulder stiffness isn't a precursor to any serious setbacks on Pineda's shoulder. He will probably stay on the shelf until the Yankees can be sure that his shoulder is okay.

At this point, it really would not be surprising to see them simply shut down Pineda for the remainder of the season as a precautionary measure. For him, 2013 was always going to be Year Two of rehab from a surgery that has ultimately been a career-ender for many pitchers, with a chance for apperances in the majors if all went well. However, If they have to focus on 2014 for his Yankees debut, then so be it.

Injured starter David Phelpswill also see a doctor on Monday for soreness in his elbow that caused him to miss his scheduled rehab start in Trenton today. He's been on the DL since early July and recently made a pair of rehab starts, so it appeared he was close to returning to the Yankees in at least a bullpen role. It doesn't appear that is meant to be though; like with Pineda, the Yankees will ensure his elbow soreness is not a precursor to Tommy John surgery or anything like that.

We would like to formally invite you all to Chicago tomorrow, as the PB/PA writing staff invades the Yankees' clubhouse to bubblewrap Robinson Cano, Hiroki Kuroda, Mariano Rivera, and anyone else remotely valuable.

More from Pinstriped Bible:

Biogenesis suspensions expected to be announced at noon Monday

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After an enormous amount of waiting, the most definitive deadline on the Biogenesis suspensions announcement has finally been made. By no means will tomorrow's announcement be the end of the matter, especially if Alex Rodriguez appeals any suspension like he is expected to. At least there will be a small bit more information than all the speculation we've been hearing for months now.

So, there's that. Rodriguez is one of the only players expected to appeal the suspension decision, likely because he is the player facing the harshest punishment. The Yankees are playing at 8:10 pm tomorrow in Chicago against the White Sox, and it appears that A-Rod has a decent change of being in the lineup.

That seems to suggest that Rodriguez will be suspended purely under the Joint Drug Agreement and not the CBA, as has been threatened multiple times. A-Rod would be allowed to play through his appeal, however long that takes.

There is still about two and a half hours for A-Rod to work out a possible settlement with MLB that would allow him a lesser suspension in return for an agreement to not appeal the decision. MLB refused negotiations yesterday after Rodriguez's post-game comments in Trenton on Friday night and nothing appears to suggest that they will settle before today's 6:00 pm deadline.

WFAN's Sweeny Murti thinks that A-Rod being able to play through an appeal would be a worst-case scenario for Rodriguez's Yankee teammates. Distractions are often downplayed when it comes to professional athletes, but Murti would likely know better than you or I what the feelings in the clubhouse are like.

Distraction or not, it sounds like the circus will be in full swing tomorrow afternoon.

More from Pinstriped Bible:

Yankees 3, Padres 6: Offense fails to make up deficit that Hughes leaves behind

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Through five innings, the offense was having yet another awful day, this one against former Yankee Ian Kennedy. But starting in the sixth inning, the Yankees had started to piece some hits together and score a couple runs. Problem was, they had already given up six runs, thanks mostly to the pitching of one Philip Hughes. Hughes' day ended in the third inning and left the Yankees in a hole their offense struggled to get out of. That allowed the Padres to come away with a 6-3 win to finish up the series in San Diego.

The Padres got on the board first with a couple runs in the bottom of the second. Will Venable led off the inning with a single. He stole second during Chris Denorfia's at bat, and moved to third when Denorfia hit a single. The single wasn't enough to score Venable, but Mark Kotsay's sac fly was. Venable scored easily of the fly ball to center which gave the Padres a 1-0 lead. Nick Hundley then drew a walk. Ian Kennedy laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving the runners to second and third with two outs. Phil Hughes quickly went up 0-2 in the count against Everth Cabrera. But a very Hughesian thing happened when Cabrera battled back to 3-2 and then dropped a two-run single into right field. The inning ended when Cabrera was caught stealing, but the Padres had opened up a 3-0 lead.

The Padres then tacked some more an inning later. Alexi Amarista led off the inning with a single. Hughes then walked Chase Headley, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Yonder Alonso grounded one to Robinson Cano. After the ball deflected off Cano's glove, the only play was to first for out number one. Girardi decided to intentionally walk Venable to load the bases and set up the double play. Denorfia came up next. He hit a fly ball to center. Curtis Granderson made the catch, but Amarista tagged up and scored and Headley moved over to third. Kotsay then dropped a single into center field, which scored Headley. That extended the Padres' lead to 5-0.

That would be the end of Phil Hughes' day. Hughes went just 2.2 innings, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks. Preston Claiborne came in and got Hundley to fly out to end the inning.

But in the fourth inning, the Padres continued to tack on runs. With Claiborne still pitching, Cabrera hit a one-out double. After a ground out by Amarista, on which Cabrera advanced a base, Headley singled to right. That scored another run and made it 6-0.

A couple innings later, the Yankees finally got on the board. Through the first five innings, the offense managed just two hits against Kennedy. With two outs in the sixth, both Cano and Alfonso Soriano drew walks. Granderson came up next and he lined one at Alonso at first base. The ball deflected off Alonso's glove and into right field. Cano scored and Soriano moved to third. Lyle Overbay kept it going with a single, which scored Soriano. That made it 6-2 Padres and was the end of Kennedy's day. Kennedy went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs off four hits and four walks. Nunez almost kept the inning alive with a infield single, but Cabrera made a nice play at short to get the force out at second to end the inning.

The Yankees cut into the lead further when Austin Romine crushed a solo home run in the seventh.

After the fourth inning, the Yankee bullpen did a good job of shutting off the leaky run faucet and allowed the Yankees to cut into the lead. Adam Warren threw two scoreless innings, allowing just two walks, while Boone Logan threw a scoreless inning, allowing a bunt single. Even Joba Chamberlain chipped in, throwing a 1-2-3 eighth.

Nunez led off the ninth inning with a single deflected by Huston Street. After Gardner struck out, Romine drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Said tying run was Brent Lillibridge, which didn't inspire much confidence. Lillibridge struck out, leaving the game up to pinch-hitter Vernon Wells. Street struck out Wells too, ending the game and giving the Padres a 6-3 win.

The roadtrip continues for the Yankees as they travel to Chicago to play the White Sox. Andy Pettitte is scheduled to make the start for the Yankees in Monday's game. First pitch is at 8:10 eastern.

Box score.Graphy thingy.

MLB Bullets Is Ready To Hand Down Suspensions

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I got a chance to meet up with a lot of other SB Nation bloggers yesterday and talk with bloggers/fans who represent lots of different teams and sports. It was a lot of fun to compare and contrast the issues with writing about MLB to the issues of NBA, NCAA and MLS writers. Also with the writers from the other baseball teams in SB Nation.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Certainly for all those players whose suspensions were announced today.

Biogenesis Suspensions: Alex Rodriguez to appeal, others to accept 50-game suspensions

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Nothing is official yet, but all sign point to the 12 Biogenesis offenders to accept their 50-game suspension. Meanwhile, Alex Rodriguez is expected to be the only player to appeal his suspension, likely due to the harshness of the punishment. Facing a 214-game suspension that would take him through the 2014 season, A-Rod can appeal and continue to play baseball this season until an arbitrator has heard the case.

Bud Selig had the ability to revoke his right to an appeal if he deemed it to be the best course of action for baseball, but any suspension of A-Rod's rights would have brought on protest from the MLB Players Union. The final punishment handed out by MLB is still unknown because the arbitrator could determine that a 214-game ban is too harsh and could possibly decrease the final amount of games.

There are nine known players that are likely to face suspension today: Nelson Cruz of the Rangers, who fired his ACES representatives, the agency that caught heat for possibly steering their clients to Biogenesis, Jhonny Peralta of the Tigers, Everth Cabrera of the Padres, Francisco Cervelli of the Yankees, Jesus Montero of the Seattle Mariners, who informed the Rainiers that he won't be with the team on Monday, Ex-Mets and Houston Astros player and current Yankees minor leaguer Fernando Martinez, Athletics' Jordan Norbert, ex-A's and current Padres minor leaguer Fautino de los Santos, and Mets prospect Cesar Puello.

Yasmani Grandal, Bartolo Colon, and Melky Cabrera have all been deemed immune from additional punishment since all three have already served 50-game suspensions after a positive test.

More from Pinstriped Bible:


Everth Cabrera Suspended For Remainder of 2013 Season

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We have long suspected that this would be the case and with today’s announcement, the truth is officially out. Cabrera, along with 11 other players including Nelson Cruz of the Rangers and Jhonny Peralta of the Tigers will accept their suspensions and bypass the appeal process. The only player linked to Biogenesis and Tony Bosch that is expected to go through the appeals process is Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees.

Also on the list is pitcher Fautino De Los Santos who Corey Brock reports is still in the Padres organization.

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal has been linked to Biogenesis, but will not face any additional suspension because he has already served a 50 game suspension after testing positive for testosterone in 2012.

Everth Cabrera, the Padres 2013 All-Star representative, had been having a standout year batting a team leading .283 in 381 at-bats. In the 95 games he played this year, he had already amassed a career high in hits with 108, which also led the Padres at the time of his suspension. Cabrera had also reached a career high in home runs with 4, as well as tying his career best 31 RBI. He was also the team and National League leader in stolen bases with 37 this year, ahead of Pirates outfielder Starling Marte's 32 SB.

Padres teammate Will Venable, 2nd on the team in stolen bases with 11, has a strong opinion regarding PEDs and cheating in baseball. In an ABC News report, Venable says:

"My personal opinion is that the penalties need to get back to the contracts."

"I believe that if you cross over and decide that you are going to use the banned substance, you also should forfeit the support of the players' association.They are not worthy of the support of the players' association. I think the combination of that and somehow having to forfeit or void your contract that you're under is something that needs to be the main focus of the penalties."

With the loss of Cabrera, the Padres shortstop situation is in a state of mystery. Thoughts are that Logan Forsythe and Alexi Amarista may split time at SS as well as the possibility that new signing Ronny Cedeno will spend time with the team for the remainder of 2013. For now, only one thing is clear. Everth Cabrera will have to wait until 2014 to begin playing for the Padres once again.

Breaking News: Players Handed 50 Game Suspensions, Alex Rodriguez NOT Included... Until Now

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Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers OF

Everth Cabrera, San Diego Padres SS

Jhonny Peralta, Detroit Tigers SS

Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies RP

Jordany Valdespin, New York Mets OF

Francisco Cervelli, New York Yankees C

Jesus Montero, Seattle Mariners C

Cesar Puello, Mets OF* Prospect

Fautino De Los Santos, Padres P*

Sergio Escalona, Houston Astros RP*

Fernando Martinez, Astros OF*

Source:FOX Sports

--

UPDATE: Alex Rodriguez has been suspended through the 2014 Major League Baseball season; however, an appeal is likely.

Biogenesis suspensions have been issued

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The full list of players being suspended for taking performance enhancing drugs from the Biogenesis clinic has been released. Texas Rangers' Nelson Cruz, Detroit Tigers' Jhonny Peralta, San Diego Padres' Everth Cabrera and Fautino de los Santos, Yankees' Francisco Cervelli and Fernando Martinez, Seattle Mariners' Jesus Montero, ex-Oakland Athletics' Jordan Norbert, and New York Mets' Cesar Puello have all been suspended for 50-games. The remaining players to be suspended have been identified as Philadelphia Phillies' Antonio Bastardo, Mets' Jordany Valdespin, and Houston Astros' Sergio Escalona.

That makes twelve suspensions total, with each player fully accepting their immediate suspensions. If this is the final list it looks like the Tigers and Rangers are the only teams that will be effected in their playoff push. Alex Rodriguez is set to appeal is suspension, allowing him to play for the Yankees while his case is heard by an arbitrator.

Bartolo Colon, Yasmani Grendal, and Melky Cabrera were exempt from further punishment after already serving 50-game suspensions for testing positive. Gio Gonzalez and Danny Valencia, two players who were connected to Biogenesis in some capacity were not punished due to a lack of convincing evidence they did anything in violation of the CBA or JDA.

Cruz, Valdespin, Bastardo, Escalona, as well as Melky Cabrera, are all represented by ACES, the agency that caught heat for helping Cabrera set up a fake website to explain away his positive test. Cruz has already fired his representation and it is unknown what kind of blowback the agency will feel in the coming weeks.

More from Pinstriped Bible:

MLB suspends 13 players for Biogenesis involvement

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Major League Baseball announced the suspension of 13 players on Monday for their involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.

The list is headlined by New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who is expected to appeal what amounts to a 211-game suspension. He is "penciled in" the lineup for the Yankees' game on Monday night against the Chicago White Sox.

Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta and San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera -- all 2013 MLB All-Stars -- accepted 50-game suspensions and will begin serving them immediately. All three players will be eligible to return for postseason play, which is good news for the Rangers and Tigers, who are in playoff contention.

New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, who is on the disabled list, and Philadelphia Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo are the only other big-leaguers who will serve suspensions.

Minor-leaguers Jesus Montero (Mariners), Jordany Valdespin (Mets), Cesar Puello (Mets), Fernando Martinez (Yankees) and Sergio Escalona (Astros), as well as free-agents Fautino De Los Santos and Jordan Norberto, will also serve 50-game bans.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera, Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon and San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal were also included on the list of players involved with the South Florida clinic, but since they already served suspensions due to positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs, the league opted against further punishment.

Also named in the report, but cleared of any wrongdoing by the league, were Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Baltimore Orioles infielder Danny Valencia.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was already given a 65-game suspension by the league for his involvement, and will miss the rest of this season as a result.

*****

How does this affect the Colorado Rockies? Well, as you can see above, none of the players levied with bans are from the Rockies organization, so there will be no direct impact.

As far as indirect impact, Everth Cabrera began his professional career with the Rockies, last appearing for a club affiliate in 2008, when he hit .284/.361/.399 in 121 games at High-A Asheville. The Rockies lost Cabrera to the Padres prior to the 2009 season in the Rule 5 Draft.

The Rockies will face the Padres six times while Cabrera is out. Against Colorado in 2013, the 26-year-old Nicaraguan has hit .333/.377/.509 in 13 games, 10 of which were won by the Rockies.

Nationals' Gio Gonzalez: "I Am Very Pleased That Major League Baseball Has Cleared My Name..."

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Major League Baseball sent out a press release entitled, "Discipline issued in Biogenesis investigation," at 3:00 pm EDT this afternoon which listed the names of 12 players who received 50-game suspensions for, "... violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program in relation to the Biogenesis investigation."Philadelphia Phillies' reliever Antonio Bastardo, San Diego Padres' infielder Everth Cabrera, New York Yankees' catcher Francisco Cervelli, Texas Rangers' outfielder Nelson Cruz, Detroit Tigers' infielder Jhonny Peralta and New York Mets' infielder/outfielder Jordany Valdespin where among those who received suspensions.

"Major League Baseball's investigation found no violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program by... Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez..." - MLB Press Release on Biogenesis-related suspensions

You can see the entire list HERE.

Additionally, MLB added that three players, "Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera, Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon and Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal, all of whom already have served 50-game suspensions as a result of their violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program stemming from their connections to Biogenesis," would not receive any additional discipline.

In the final paragraph of the release, MLB officials included the following information:

"Major League Baseball's investigation found no violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program by either Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez or Baltimore Orioles infielder Danny Valencia."

Gonzalez, 27, denied any connection to the Biogenesis clinic and denied ever having used performance-enhanching drugs when it was revealed in a Miami New Times' report earlier this year that his name appeared several times in the notes of the clinic's owner, Anthony Bosch. After the announcement today, the Nationals' left-handed starter released the following statement through the team:

"I am very pleased that Major League Baseball has cleared my name. With this process now complete, I have no lingering sense of animosity, as I quickly realized that the objective of this investigation was to clean up our game. This is an ideal that I share with both Major League Baseball and the MLBPA. I would also like to acknowledge the unwavering support of my teammates, the Lerner Family, Mike Rizzo, Davey Johnson, our coaching staff and Nationals fans everywhere."

• Here's our report from this morning, which includes links to all the previous reports in case you're somehow just catching up on all this:

From the start, his involvement in the Biogenesis/PED scandal was described as "curious." Gio Gonzalez's name was one of seven included in the original Miami New Times' report by Tim Elfrink which linked major league players to an anti-aging clinic in Coral Gables, Florida that was accused of providing performance-enhancing drugs to professional athletes. Gonzalez's name appeared five times in the personal, hand-written notebooks of the clinic's chief Anthony Bosch.

"I've cooperated with MLB and I've done everything they want and I feel strong with their program and what they're doing and at the end of the day, it's waiting on them. - Gio Gonzalez in Spring Training

• Further Reading: Washington Nationals' Gio Gonzalez Linked In Miami New Times' Report To Miami Clinic That Supplied Performance-Enhancing Drugs

"What's happening now,"Gonzalez told reporters after his first official workout of the 2013 season in Spring Training, "is that I've cooperated with MLB and I've done everything they want and I feel strong with their program and what they're doing and at the end of the day, it's waiting on them." Six month later, the Nats' starter has reportedly been cleared of any wrongdoing in the Biogenesis/PED investigation conducted by Major League Baseball:

In his public comments on the investigation, Gonzalez denied any connection to the anti-aging clinic, though his father admitted in the article that he had visited the clinic to seek weight-loss advice. Gonzalez's father was clear from the start, however, that his son had no connection to the clinic.

"At the end of the day, I've never taken performance-enhancing drugs and I never will." - Gio Gonzalez in Spring Training

Gonzalez never failed a drug test and was adamant when he spoke to reporters this Spring that he had never taken performance-enhancing drugs and would eventually be cleared. "I feel very confident," Gonzalez said, "I think that at the end of the day, I've never taken performance-enhancing drugs and I never will. So, I'm actually pretty excited about this year."

The Miami New Times published images of each mention of the Nationals' left-hander's name in the notebooks of the clinic's chief. Gonzalez insisted though that he had no personal connection whatsoever to the clinic.

"[My] father already admitted that he was a patient there, a legitimate patient," Gonzalez told reporters, "And then after that, you know how my father is, if you guys have been around him, all of South Florida, all of baseball knows that my father is the most proud father in baseball, says, 'Hi,' tells everyone about his son and that's the best I can say. Other than that I have no clue why my name was on that list or on the notebook or anything."

Subsequent reports said Gonzalez had not purchased PEDs from the clinic. Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore wrote late last month that the Nationals were not worried about Gonzalez receiving any discipline:

"They have no concern Gio Gonzalez will be disciplined when MLB issues suspensions to players with ties to the Biogenesis case. The New York Post reported discipline could be meted out this week. Gonzalez is 'not in that group,' one Nationals official said."

Several of the players named in the clinic's chief's notebooks accepted 50-game suspensions today, including the Texas Rangers' Nelson Cruz, the Detroit Tigers' Jhonny Peralta, the Philadelphia Phillies' Antonio Bastardo, the New York Mets' Jordany Valdespin and the San Diego Padres' Everth Cabrera.

Further Reading: Miami New Times' Releases Images Of Mentions Of Washington Nationals' Starter Gio Gonzalez In Notebooks Of Alleged PED Supplier

• Further Reading: Miami New Times' Editor Chuck Strouse On The Curious Case Of Washington Nationals' Lefty Gio Gonzalez's Alleged Involvement With A Clinic Believed To Have Sold PEDs To MLB Players

Derek Jeter injury: Yankees star placed on disabled list

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New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter landed back on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a calf strain, Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York reports. This is the latest in a long road of missteps for Jeter as he tries to get healthy for the stretch run.

Jeter last played Friday night against the San Diego Padres, but missed games over the weekend while undergoing an MRI. The results came back showing a strained right calf, just the most recent ailment for the 38-year-old infielder.

More Yankees coverage: Pinstriped Bible

Since undergoing offseason ankle surgery, it's been a climb for Jeter to get back onto the field. He's made brief returns to the Yankees' lineup recently, but it's been less than two weeks since his last DL stint. After suffering an apparent calf injury in his first game off the DL in late July against the Tampa Bay Rays, this move almost felt inevitable.

Due to the many injuries, Jeter has appeared in just five games this season. He's batted 4-for-19 with one homer, two walks and zero strikeouts.

More from SB Nation:

Neyer: How little the Biogenesis suspensions matter

Brisbee: Biogenesis and the folly of youth

3 new names on Biogenesis suspension list

Colon, Cabrera and Grandal won't be suspended

A-Rod to hear suspension Monday

Fox Sports Girls busing cross country to promote Fox Sports 1

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Before Sunday's Padres game we got an email telling us all about a promotion for the launch of Fox Sports 1. It involves the Fox Sports Girls, so pay close attention.

Fox Sports 1 is launching August 17 and when it does it'll be the undisputed newest national sports network in America. It's gonna have butt loads of sports. They'll have Major League Baseball, NASCAR, college football, college basketball, UFC and UEFA, which may or may not be soccer. My favorite part though is that they're bringing Regis Philbin back to TV with his own sports talk show called Crowd Goes Wild. He and I have the same birthday and I love him.

To promote the new network they're sending a 56 passenger Fox Sports 1 bus 3,800 miles across the country on a road trip. It left on Sunday from Petco Park with our Fox Sports San Diego Girls aboard. On the way they'll pick up a total of 21 girls. Only when they arrive in Boston on the the 17th, will they launch the network. We're all depending on them to make it.

If I understand it correctly our FSSD girls will be on the bus the entire time and since it's a road trip, I was thinking we should present them with some supplies before they left. If we didn't they would arrive in Boston all road weary and tore up. So we got them beef jerky, sleep masks, feminine earplugs and just about anything else that was in the dollar bin at Target. All that was missing was a mix tape.

Here's Katie, Nathalie and Brie:


It just so happened that we ended up sitting in the same row as Brady from Lobshots at the Padres / Yankees game that followed our brief interview. We told him how we gave the girls a bunch of road trip supplies and then asked them why the other Padres bloggers didn't care enough to get them anything.

He was furious and exclaimed "You threw us under the bus!" Not just any bus Brady, a 45 foot long, 56 passenger Fox Sports 1 bus.


Series Preview: Baltimore Orioles @ San Diego Padres, 6-7 August 2013

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The last time the Orioles faced the Padres, the O's lost both games in a two-game series at Camden Yards. With fifty games left to play and their chances of coming back in the division race looking slim, it feels like the Orioles really need to repay the favor in San Diego. Of note: the Tuesday game is at 10:10 ET, but despite another off-day on Thursday, the Wednesday game is at 3:40 ET.

Tuesday, 6 August: Bud Norris vs. Edinson Volquez
Career NumbersNorris vs. PadresVolquez vs. O's
IP23.014.0
ERA3.136.43
FIP3.495.02
Slash Line (Past Teams).188/.281/.294.310/.397/.569
Slash Line (Current Players).263/.317/.421.311/.373/.644

Norris has faced the Padres four times in the past, twice each in 2010 and 2011. They've had enough turnover since that the second slash line above consists of just 41 PA. Norris was pretty good in his O's debut, giving up two solo homers in six innings while striking out eight. His flyball tendencies will make me nervous whenever he pitches at Camden Yards, but they could serve him well in Petco Park.

Volquez opposed the Orioles twice while with the Rangers, back in 2005 and 2007, and mostly recently as a Red in 2011. He gets more groundballs and strikeouts than average, but walks far too many batters (4.27 BB/9 this year, 4.82 career). Between the groundballs and pitching in Petco, he limits home runs pretty well, but all those walks mean that when he does give one up, it's likely to do a lot of damage. The free passes also mean he doesn't get very deep in games; he's only pitched more than six innings once since 12 June.

Maybe hot:J.J. Hardy (.979 OPS, 2 HR in 16 PA), Nate McLouth (1.101 OPS, 11 PA), Chase Headley (1.121 OPS, 11 PA)

Wednesday, 7 August: Miguel Gonzalez vs. Eric Stults
Career NumbersGonzalez vs. PadresStults vs. O's
IP--
ERA--
FIP--
Slash Line (Past Teams)--
Slash Line (Current Players)-.000/.333/.000 (3 PA)

Gonzalez has never faced a Padre, past or present. Perhaps that will give him a little more time to settle in on Wednesday, and an opportunity to bounce back from a pair of poor outings, in which he's given up 17 hits in 8.1+ IP. As with Norris, the trip to Petco may help Gonzalez out, since he's another flyball pitcher. Remember when Jason Hammel was an excellent groundball pitcher? Or when Zach Britton seemed like he might become one? Or, heck, Brad Bergesen's solid 2009? Now that the infield defense is excellent, the starters are all flyball guys.

Stults has never pitched against the Orioles, and he's left-handed. I'm already scared; let's check his velocity... yyyep, he usually tops out around 89. Good luck, Miguel; you're gonna need it.

A catcher doesn't need a great arm; he needs a pitcher who will watch the runner on base and keep the runner near the bag by throwing over there. ...The greatest arm in the world won't help a catcher when the runner is halfway to second base before the ball gets to home plate. - Earl Weaver

Yankees Weekly Report Card: 7/30/13 - 8/5/13

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The Yankees went 2–4 this week.

Hitters:

David Adams - Did not participate
N/A
Notes: Adams was just called up to replace Derek Jeter on the roster, so he hasn't had a chance to play yet.

Robinson Cano - F
.136/.208/.136, 3 K
Notes: Cano has offered up a lot of nothing this month and with Soriano, Granderson and A-Rod in the lineup, now is the time to make a run, but it doesn't seem to be working out like that. Cano needs to get going because it doesn't look like anyone else really is.

Brett Gardner - F
.095/.130/.143, RBI, 8 K
Notes: Gardner has been the Yankees second best hitter all year, but recently he hasn't been nearly as good and this week he might be the team's worst hitter. He's a streaky hitter, so all anyone can do is hope it doesn't take him too long to turn it around.

Curtis Granderson - B
.250/.438/.500, HR, 3 RBI, SB, 4 K
Notes: Granderson came up big with a go-ahead home run this week against the Padres, but he hasn't been hitting the ball much. He's managed to still be productive, but the team is relying on him to be one of the better bats in the lineup.

Derek Jeter - F
.091/.167/.091
Notes:
Jeter didn't do much before he went on the DL again with a calf injury. He hit a home run in his first at-bat, but he won't be able to have many of those moments if he can't stay healthy.

Brent Lillibridge -F
.125/.125/.125, 4 K
Notes: Lillibridge brought very little with the bat, but was impressive at third base for a time. He'll catch on somewhere now that he's been designated for assignment.

Melky Mesa - Incomplete
1.000/1.000/1.000
Notes:
Mesa hit well in his short time with the team, though it was unlikely to continue judging by his minor league numbers. Barring anymore injuries he should be back up with the team when rosters expand in September.

Jayson Nix - D+
.200/.200/.200, RBI, K
Notes: Nix is back and he's exactly the same before he left. The return of A-Rod will keep him on the bench, but he might actually be an upgrade over Eduardo Nunez.

Eduardo Nunez - C
.214/.267/.286, 2 K, RBI
Notes: Nunez has done nothing this year but show he is not a future starting shortstop. It was thought that Jeter would push him onto the bench, but another DL trip makes Nunez the starting shortstop again. The Yankees are going to have to find a better backup option for next year.

Lyle Overbay - A+
.313/.353/.500, HR, 4 RBI, 3 K
Notes: Overbay continues to come up big when the time is right, though he has a tendency to struggle for small stretches of time. Keeping him away from left-handers is exactly what he needs to remain productive.

Alex Rodriguez - Incomplete
.250/.250/.250, K
Notes: It's been quite a week for Alex Rodriguez, but he's collected his first hit and will hopefully be at least a marginal improvement for the Yankees at third base. Despite all the craziness he's still one of the best third basemen in the league if he's healthy, though that is a big "if" at this point.

Austin Romine - Incomplete
.667/.750/1.667, HR, RBI
Notes: Romine hit his first home run, finally, but he's only gotten into one game this week for some reason. He's hit well in the second half, but Girardi seems determined to play Chris Stewart until he falls apart.

Alfonso Soriano - F
.150/.190/.200, 9 K
Notes: Soriano hasn't brought the power he was supposed to when the Yankees traded for him before the deadline and now he hasn't been hitting. He's had a few good games, but for the most part he's been really unproductive, so if he doesn't change that it's going to look like Corey Black was a wasted trade chip.

Chris Stewart - C
.235/.278/.235, 3 K
Notes: Stewart hasn't done much at the plate, though that's not a surprise. The surprise is that he doesn't seem to be able to perform the simplest task a catcher has: catch the ball.

Ichiro Suzuki - C-
.188/.235/.250, K, SB
Notes: Ichiro hasn't played as much as he normally does, but he's been unimpressive when he does. He'll surely be back to typical Ichiro in a week or so, we've seen this before.

Vernon Wells - A
.444/.444/.667, K
Notes: Wells has done well in limited action this week, but at this point he's a fifth outfielder, pinch hitter, and now first baseman because he's not too valuable to do much else.

Pitchers:

Joba Chamberlain - C
3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, K, 3.0 IP
Notes: Joba was hurt by another devastating home run against the Padres as the game fell further and further out of reach. He hasn't exactly succeeded as a mop up reliever, so his time has pretty much run out at this point.

Preston Claiborne - C-
3.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 2 K, 3.0 IP
Notes: Claiborne managed to be a little worse than Joba was this week. After succeeding with pinpoint control, he's kind of lost it recently and ended up walking three batters this week.

Phil Hughes - F
16.87 ERA, 3.38 WHIP, K, 2.2 IP
Notes: Phil Hughes did not have a good start, as usual, even though he was in Petco Park. He didn't give up a home run, but that as probably because he was taken out of the game before he had a chance to.

Shawn Kelley - F
6.75 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, 2 K 2.2 IP
Notes: This has not been the best week for Shawn Kelley. He usually strikes people out, but when he doesn't he frequently gets hit around.

Hiroki Kuroda - A+
0.00 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 8 K, BB, 7.0 IP
Notes: Kuroda dueled Clayton Kershaw to prove to any non-believers that he is the real ace of the Yankees staff. He continues to get no love from MLB with no All-Star appearance and no Player of the Month Award, despite giving up only two earned runs in the month of July, but Yankees fans know the truth.

Boone Logan - A+
0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 3 K, BB, 3.0 IP
Notes: Logan was able to mitigate whatever damage he dealt with and managed to pitch three scoreless innings this week. He's not always the most reliable relievers, so it's good to see him actually stop the opposition, though he was lucky enough not to take on any inherited runners.

Ivan Nova - A+
0.00 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 8 K, BB, 7.0 IP
Notes: Nova pitched even better than Kuroda did this week. He's been incredible since returning to the rotation and if he can keep this up the rest of the way he will at least help bring some confidence to the rotation in 2014.

Andy Pettitte - F
8.38 ERA, 2.07 WHIP, 7 K, BB, 9.2 IP
Notes: Andy's two starts were like night and day; he holds the Dodgers to two runs over seven innings, but then he gets blasted by the lowly Chicago White Sox and gives up seven runs in 2.2 innings. Pettitte can't figure out what the problem is, but the Yankees can't afford to wait for him.

David Robertson - A+
0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, K, 2.0 IP
Notes: D-Rob has been shutdown for awhile now and if the Yankees continue with their plan, it looks like he'll make a very good closer in 2014.

Mariano Rivera - A+
0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 3 K, 2 SV, 2.0 IP
Notes: Mo was perfect this week; two innings, two saves. You can't ask for much more and you're probably not going to get much more if the starters keep getting blown up three out of five nights.

CC Sabathia - F
7.94 ERA, 2.47 WHIP, 4 K, 5.2 IP
Notes: Another typical CC start: a lot of hits, too many runs, and not many strikeouts. This has been Sabathia all year long, so it's unlikely that we'll see anything different while the Yankees are still in contention.

Adam Warren - C-
3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 2 K, 3.0 IP
Notes: This is the first time in awhile that Warren has pitched in multiple games in the span of a week. He didn't look too good, but maybe he just needs to adjust to the new role.

More from Pinstriped Bible:

Pitcher Preview: James Shields vs. Andrew Albers

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Royals


James Shields

#33 / Pitcher / Kansas City Royals

6-4

215

R

R

Dec 20, 1981



W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2013 - James Shields6-723232000154.2147545315471283.081.25

James Shields has been pitching pretty well this season (by Twins starting pitching standards he has pitched EXCELLENTLY). His last start was against the Twins in Minnesota, and he similarly did well, giving up two earned runs on five hits over 6 innings pitched.

Historically, the Twins have had some luck against Shields. Justin Morneau is 13-for-35 (.371 BA) with three home runs in his career against Shields. Joe Mauer is 12-for-34 (.353 BA) with (shocker) 0 home runs. After that things drop off a little, notably with Ryan Doumit who is 1-for-11 (.091 BA).

Morneau hit a home run off shields last week--can he do it again tonight? Let's hope so.

Twins

Tonight the Twins are sending rookie Andrew Albers to the mound, and SB Nation has no information widgets about him so I apologize for that. Albers has never pitched in the majors before, so it's a pretty exciting day for him. Albers has made 22 starts in AAA this year, in which he went 11-5 with a 2.86 ERA.

What else do we know about Albers? He's 27 years old. He's left handed. He's Canadian (the first major league player from Saskatchewan since 1991! Woot!). He was originally drafted by the Padres in 2008, but subsequently released when his arm blew up (he then had Tommy John's surgery). He also drove 40 hours to Fort Myers, Florida in 2011 to try-out for the Twins after several other teams passed on him in Arizona.

Albers will face the red-hot Royals tonight. Good luck!

Minor League Ball Gameday, August 6

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Good afternoon prospect watchers. Let's get down to business.

***Yesterday's Minor League Ball Gameday thread.

***As you have likely heard, the Mets promoted Wilmer Flores to the major league roster today. He will be Prospect of the Day tomorrow. My other main goal is to finish off the team summaries ASAP, with the White Sox next.

***The main thing I want to point out today is this article by former major leaguer Gabe Kapler about Lars Anderson and baseball makeup sent along by a reader. David Schoenfield over at ESPN picked up in this article too with his own commentary. Anderson drew his release earlier this month in the middle of an 0-for-29 slump at Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox system, hitting .194 in 66 games overall.

Kapler thinks that Lars' problems basically involved thinking too much and undermining his own confidence. David, drawing on David Epstein's book The Sports Gene, wonders if Anderson's brain just isn't wired quite right for major league level pattern recognition. Both Kapler's original article and Schoenfield's commentary are well worth your time to read, and I suggest you do.

The whole topic of makeup is something that can be endlessly explored. Obviously you don't want players to be too stupid, but can they be too smart? Some players paralyze themselves with analysis, but over-analysis doesn't necessarily lead to loss of confidence as in Lars' case, or Billy Beane's. Trevor Bauer seems to over-analyze things perhaps, but he doesn't seem to want for self-confidence the way that Anderson did.

***One of my favorite under-appreciated prospects is Josmil Pinto in the Twins system, a catcher just promoted to Triple-A, who went 3-for-4 yesterday, is hitting .444 in his first five games for Rochester and .314/.413/.485 overall on the season. The 24-year-old from Venezuela isn't horrid with the glove (has thrown out 29% this year while drawing better reviews for his mobility compared to a few years ago) and has hit very well over the last two seasons. He's on the 40-man roster and I'd have to think we will see him in September.

***Josh Haderthrew six shutout innings for Low-A Quad Cities in his first start since joining the Astros system, allowing just one hit with no walks and two strikeouts.

***Are you reading Grant Brisbee regularly? If not, you need to be. "Clutch boson" by itself should win him an award of some kind.

***Are we seeing more top prospects promoted to the major leagues this year? Bryan Grosnick examines the issue.

***More Astros!Craig Goldstein takes a look at Delino DeShields Jr.

More from Minor League Ball:

Chicago White Sox Top 20 2013 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review

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Here's an update on the Chicago White Sox farm system. Remember, this is the PRE-SEASON list. This is NOT a new list. These are the pre-season rankings and grades.


This list was originally published December 26, 2012 and revised on January 15, 2013.

1) Courtney Hawkins, OF, Grade B+: Aggressive assignment to High-A Winston-Salem has resulted in .190/.251/.441 line, with an impressive 18 homers but a horrible 21/132 BB/K ratio in 290 at-bats, with sagging power production as the season progresses. This level of competition was just too much for a 19-year-old with known contact issues.

2) Carlos Sanchez, 2B-SS, Grade B: Hitting .243/.297/.300 with 28 walks, 70 strikeouts in 403 at-bats for Triple-A Charlotte.Good middle infield glove, still makes contact, just 21, but has been doomed by lack of power this year.

3) Trayce Thompson, OF, Grade B-:
Hitting .235 with 11 homers, 19 steals, 50 walks, 112 strikeouts in 413 at-bats for Double-A Birmingham, .331 OBP, .385 SLG.Still shows excellent tools, power, speed, but struggles against advanced pitching and very streaky. Still has time at age 22.

4) Erik Johnson, RHP, Grade B-:
Excellent season, 2.15 ERA with 101/31 K/BB in 109 innings, just 76 hits combined between Double-A and Triple-A. One of the more underrated pitching prospects around who deserves a lot more attention than he receives, likely a top 50 prospect despite lack of publicity outside White Sox circles.

5) Scott Snodgress, LHP, Grade B-:
3.67 ERA for Birmingham, 78/45 K/BB in 130 innings, 118 hits. Having a good year overall but I wish he struck more people out. Lefties with live armsget chances and his will come. Potential back-end starter or a relief asset.

6) Keenyn Walker, OF, Grade C+:
Borderline B-. Hitting .200/.333/.276 with 63 walks, 123 strikeouts, 36 steals in 380 at-bats for Birmingham. Very fast, draws walks, excellent glove, but strikes out too much for a guy with no power. I have been among the optimists about his bat but so far it isn't happening.

7) Joey DeMichele, 2B, Grade C+:
Hitting .241/.327/.350 with 16 steals for Winston-Salem. Very good with the glove. It was a gamble to rate him this highly but I liked him in college. It looks like I'm going to lose that gamble, as he hasn't hit with sufficient authority to justify this ranking.

8) Andre Rienzo, RHP, Grade C+:
Brazilian right-hander with solid stuff, 4.06 ERA with 113/46 K/BB in 113 innings for Triple-A, has made two major league starts. He has the stuff to be a good inning-eater if he throws enough strikes. Nothing left to prove in the minors. South Side Sox has a really good breakdown on Rienzo.

9) Keon Barnum, 1B, Grade C+:
Hitting .228/.285/.386 with four homers, 12 walks, 54 strikeouts in 145 at-bats for Low-A Kannapolis. Excellent raw power, butcontact issues are obvious.

10) Chris Beck, RHP, Grade C+:
2.90 ERA for Winston-Salem, 56/38 K/BB in 115 innings, 111 hits. Throws strikes and eats innings, but his strikeout rate is way too low for me to have confidence that he'll repeat the ERA at higher levels.

11) Nestor Molina, RHP, Grade C+:
Second-straight injury plagued season, it was his elbow last year and now it is his shoulder. Has pitched 26 innings between Birmingham and rehab at Bristol in the Appy League, combined 4.85 ERA with 22/7 K/BB, 34 hits. Back on the mound now and pitching out of the bullpen, probably his best role going forward.

12) Marcus Semien, SS, Grade C+:
Excellent season, .290/.415/.488 with 20 steals between Double-A and Triple-A. See recent Prospect of the Day article for full profile.

13) Kevan Smith, C, Grade C+:
Solid campaign, hitting .279/.367/.452 with 34 walks, 48 strikeouts in 303 at-bats for Winston-Salem. Not the best defender in the world, but he has power, some measure of patience, and doesn't strike out much. He's also an older prospect at age 25, so he still needs to prove out at higher levels.

14) Jared Mitchell, OF, Grade C:
Hitting .181/.318/.286 combined between Double-A and Triple-A, 12 steals, 43 walks, 90 strikeouts in 227 at-bats. Another season plagued with nagging injuries and crippling contact problems. I think he really needs a change of scenery.

15) Tyler Saladino, SS, Grade C:
Hitting .230/.316/.317 with 26 steals, 48 walks, 83 strikeouts in 404 at-bats in Double-A. He can run and he can field, but has been unable to adapt to Double-A pitching.

16) Jhan Marinez, RHP, Grade C:
6.33 ERA in 27 innings in Triple-A; on disabled list since early June.

17) Simon Castro, RHP, Grade C:
5.79 ERA with 70/32 K/BB in 82 innings for Charlotte, 87 hits. Not an issue with stuff, but command remains erratic.

18) Charlie Leesman, LHP, Grade C:
3.14 ERA in 73 innings for Charlotte, 64/31 K/BB, 1.88 GO/AO. Ground ball specialist has started in the minors, but LOOGYism seems his obvious destination; has held lefties to .150 average this year.

19) Josh Phegley, C, Grade C:
Outstanding season in Triple-A, .316/.368/.597, but has hit just .208/.205/.364 in 77 major league at-bats with zero walks and 18 whiffs.Glove should keep him employed long enough for them to determine if he'll hit.

20) Brandon Brennan, RHP, Grade C:
5.53 ERA in 81 innings in Low-A, 54/27 K/BB, 99 hits, on disabled list since late June.

OTHERS: Sammy Ayala, C; Michael Blanke, C; Jordan Danks, OF; Mark Haddow, OF; Kyle Hansen, RHP; Brandon Hardin, RHP; Deunte Heath, RHP; Rangel Ravelo, 3B; Santos Rodriguez, LHP; Brady Shoemaker, OF; Juan Silverio, 3B; Blake Tekotte, OF; Kevin Vance, RHP; Andy Wilkins, 1B.

A tough year in Chicago: 42-69, last place, 24 games back. Conor Gillaspie (acquired from the Giants in spring training and thus not on this pre-season list) is the only rookie who has done much, and he hasn't exactly established himself as the next Robin Ventura. Phegley and Rienzo are getting opportunities now, which could position them for big roles in the coming years.

The negatives here are obvious: there are lots of disappointing hitters, with a particular emphasis on guys who strike out too much and toolsy players who don't live up to their potential. The positive side is pitching, which the White Sox seem to develop well. Johnson is the class of the group, but Rienzo has potential and Jake Petricka has re-established himself as a prospect to watch with a fine season in the upper minors bullpens. Kevin Vance is another potential relief reinforcement on the way up.

The development of Semien is another big positive and he should be ready to help sometime next year. Another infielder, speedy Micah Johnson, has had a great season in A-ball, hitting .329 with 74 steals. Outfielder Brandon Jacobs, acquired from the Red Sox, is off to a good start in Double-A and has the wide-ranging tool set that the front office likes. We'll have to see if he can use those tools better than Walker, Mitchell, and Thompson have used theirs. The decision to send Hawkins to High-A was ballsy, but it hasn't turned out well.

Pitching and tools players were again the emphasis in the 2013 draft. Tim Anderson and Jacob May were two of the best athlete available, with arms heavily emphasized in the remainder of the single digit rounds. Tyler Danish has looked very good in rookie ball so far.

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