Spring Training Invites Announced

Written by Greg Fertel | 15 January 2008

INF Bernie Castro
RHP Dan Giese
LHP Heath Phillips
INF Cody Ransom
RHP Scott Strickland
LHP Billy Traber

And farmhands:

RHP Alan Horne
RHP Danny McCutchen
RHP Steve Jackson
RHP Marc Melancon
C Kyle Anson
C Jason Brown
C Jesus Montero
C P.J. Pilittere
C Austin Romine
1b Eric Duncan
3b Marcos Vechionacci
OF Brett Gardner
OF Justin Christian
OF Colin Curtis
OF Austin Jackson
OF Greg Porter
OF Jose Tabata

No real surprises on the list of farmhands. Justin Christian - the forgotten man among the Yankee organization - may just pop on to radars very quickly. He batted .325/.370/.438 with lots and lots of speed in 2007 for Scranton before leaving due to injury. Basically, he's got Brett Gardner's skillset, although he seemed a little slower to 1st base when I saw them both play. Greg Porter mashed in the Angel's system last year, although he did it within the confines of Triple-A Salt Lake's hitter's park. Heath Phillips may actually be a decent lefty depth option - he's somewhat of a control artist. I'd be willing to bet that he seems some bullpen time this season for us. Dan Giese is another control artist who made his MLB debut at the age of 30 for the Giants last year. I think that he's a pretty good bet to be successful in the majors. Billy Traber is yet another control artist. Scott Strickland actually seems to have a pretty good major league track record, if you look at his statistics, but has had injury problems. Bernie Castro isn't nearly as good as Alberto Gonzalez, but he'll get a look nonetheless for the backup infielder spot. Expect to see him at Scranton. He'll also compete with Cody Ransom, who has actually hit relatively well at Triple-A for the Giants over the past two years. The Yankee plan is clearly to throw a ton of pitchers up against the wall and see who sticks. A lot of these guys will wind up as decent depth picks at Triple-A. Heath Phillips is no substitute for a proven major league reliever or a real prospect, but he's better than Donovan Osbourne too.