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DJ Mitchell Called Up to Tampa

DJ Mitchell, a 10th round pick by the New York Yankees in 2008, has been called up to A+. In 37 innings he recorded 42 strikeouts with a era of 1.95.
In his first game as a Tampa Yankees this morning, he went 4 1/3 innings 6 hits 6 er 1 bb and 8 k's. He's a sleeper that has worked with Nardi Contreras to developed a curveball and to shelf his slider with was a plus pitch. His fastball sits 90-93 with natural late movement down in the zone.

Alan Horne Hurt

After Alan Horne left yesterdays game after three innings, I knew something was up. He left yesterdays game after injuring his hamstring. This is the same hamstring that he hurt four years ago. The injury doesn't sound to serious so he should make his next start on Saturday.

Yankees lose 5-1, Minor League Round-up

I knew going into the game that it would be tough. But, little did I know that Doc would throw a complete game 5 hitter while allowing only one run. He improved to 7-1 on the young season. Burnett, on the other hand, looked dominant through the first three innings of the game. It all fell apart in the 4th as he allowed three runs.
The Yankee offense couldn't muster anything against Halladay. If you take away Damon's two hits and A-Rod's rbi single, then the Yankees only had two hits in 21 at-bats. Teixeira continues to struggle, as does Swisher and Cano. Cabrera and Pena continue to hit well this season. Both have been pleasant surprises this year.
Tomorrow, the Yankees hope to start a win streak again as Andy Pettitte starts against Scott Richmond, a 29 year-old righty whose destined for a return to normalcy form his stellar 3.29
era.
Minor League Round-Up
AAA
Action Jackson-1/4- he just continues to hit the cover off the ball
Wang-6 IP 3 h 0 er 3 bb 6k's-he's almost ready, hopefully Cashman gives him one more start in the minors
AA
Horne- 3 ip 6 h 4 er 3 bb 2k's-rough outing
Whelan-2 ip 1 h 1 er 1 bb 4 k's-lotta k's
A+
Montero 2/4 2 rbi's-the savior is just simply sick with the bat
Laird-2/3 2 rbi's-hes starting to heat up
Bleich-5.2 ip 5 h 5 er 2 bb 4 k's-tough outing, started off well
A
Marshall 6 ip 1 h 3 bb 7 k's-hopefully marshall can build off this outing
Almonte-3/4- hopefully he's heating up too
Brewer-2/5 1 hr 2 rbi's-all hes done is hit so far in his young career

Game Time: #32

The Yankees are looking to win two in a row with the help of the 82.5 million dollar man A.J. Burnett. No Swisher, Jeter or Cervelli today so the Yankees have a strong bench. Look for Gardner to be pinch hit for later in the game. The Yankees will be opposed by Roy Halladay who was 5-1 vs. the Yankees last year. Here's the lineup.

YANKEES (15-16)
Gardner CF
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera RF
Cash C
Pena SS

Pitching: RHP A.J. Burnett (2-0, 5.26)

The Current State Of The Yankees

As of now, the Yankees are 15-16. They stand at third place in the division behind the Blue Jays and the Red Sox. Being 5.5 games out of first isn't so bad since all the injuries that have occurred. Bruney, Marte, Wang, A-Rod, Posada, Molina, Nady, and Kennedy just for depth's sake. No other team has had so many injuries. Burnett, Hughes, and Wang have all under performed in the young season.
Some people have out-performed so far. They include: Swisher, Cano, and Cabrera. Swisher has supplied some power with seven homeruns, Cano has finally had a hot start, and Cabrera has shown some pop and plate discipline this year.
Hopefully, this is the Yankees cold spell. During this summer i expect a hot streak-20 wins in a month-which would help propel the Yankees into first place. The equilibrium is still off in baseball. We are only 19% through the season. At this time last season the Yankees were 19-20, 4 games out of first.
The Yankees will win the AL East with the emergence of Phil Hughes, future Yankee Ace.

Phil Hughes-The Greatest Prospect Ever

Philip Joseph Hughes, born June 24, 1986, has shown why he was selected 23rd overall by the New York Yankees. He has flashed three plus pitches including a 91-94 mph four-seam fastball, a 73-77 mph knuckle curveball, and a 88-91 mph cutter. Phil has had a freak-injury ridden career. Some injuries include:
2004-elbow stiffness, broken toe
2005- shoulder tendinitis
2006- surprisingly no injuries, his best year of his young career.
2007-hamstring injury, in rehab he suffers a grade three ankle sprain.
2008-stress fracture in his rib
As for stats, in 2004, in the GCL as a 18 year-old, had a 0.00 era in five innings with 8 strikeouts. In 2005 at Charleston and Tampa, he combined for a 9-1 record with a 2.19 era in 86innings with 93 strikeouts. In Tampa and Trenton the following year he combined for a 12-6 record with a 2.16 era in 146 innings with 168 strikeouts. 2006 was Phil's most dominant year as he rose to the top of the prospects list. He was rated the number four overall prospect in baseball in 2007 by baseball america.
Hopefully, one of these days, Phil Hughes becomes the ace we all know that he can be. He is 22 years-old and is already a seasoned veteran. I believe in him.