NYCurve Yankees Blog

Draftees: Rob Scahill and Matt Veltmann

This post is part of the MLB Draft 2008 get-to-know the draftees series.

In the 48th round of the 2008 MLB draft, the Yankees selected Rob Scahill out of Bradley University, a private school in Peoria Illinois. Rob, a 6’2, 205 pound right-hander had a nice season for the Braves in 2008. It was a great comeback after missing the 2007 season with a torn labrum. In 2008, Rob threw 83.2 innings, allowing 78 hits, striking out 79, and walking 41. Opponents hit a combined .244 against Scahill.

Scahill has a nice fastball that hits the low 90’s, and a curveball plus a changeup that he seldom uses (but does have in his arsenal.) Part of Scahill’s downfall throughout his career has been his control and his weakness of using the middle of the plate way too much. Hopefully after he has recovered completely from his injury this will be something Rob fixes. Chances are Rob will return to Bradley for his senior season, as the Yankees track his progress.

In the 46th round (with the1394th overall pick) of the draft the Yankees selected right-handed pitcher Matt Veltmann out of San Diego Community College. Veltmann, 6’5, 200 has great stuff, and only pitched one collegiate season. A 2007 graduate of Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego, Veltmann appears to be able to throw in the lower 90’s and throws a bit from the side. His curve has great ability, and he is able to pitch a nice hard slider, along with a sweet split.

This post is part of the MLB Draft 2008 get-to-know the draftees series.

The 2008 Home Run Derby

Last night’s home run derby was certainly one for the ages as it was the first and last at Yankee Stadium and Josh Hamilton continued his inspirational comeback with an amazing night. He ended up coming in second since the last round resets the home run count, but I think in the minds of most he was the true winner. Even Justin Mourneu, who officially won, admitted that Hamilton was the big show of the night.

The 27-year-old Ranger hit home run after home run in the first round, breaking Bobby Abreu’s record of 24 by 4. Not only that, but most of those blasts were far and high, going to the back of the stands on a regular basis. The crowd was going crazy and chanting “Ha-mil-ton, Ha-mil-ton, Ha-mil-ton.” The star of the night later said that the sights and sounds of the fans at Yankee Stadium chanting his name like that sent chills through his body. Who would have seen this coming just one year ago?

It was a truly spectacular event and for those who haven’t seen footage from it, you really must. It was a great derby, one that will be remembered for years and one that is certainly very fitting for the last year at Yankee.

A Closer Look: Patrick Venditte

This post is part of the MLB Draft 2008 get-to-know the draftees series.

With the 620th overall pick (20th round) of the 2008 MLB draft, the New York Yankees selected a right-handed pitcher out of Creighton University- Patrick Venditte. Patrick is an extremely unique draftee, as he is the only ambidextrous pitcher in the country. He is successful at pitching with both arms and that can certainly be a very valuable trait if he can make the bigs. The 6-1, 190lbs also bats from both sides of the plate, making him extremely desirable.

Venditte was born and raised in Omaha Nebraska, attending Omaha Central High School, and then electing to stay at home and attend Creighton University, a small Jesuit Catholic University. He was drafted in the 45th round of the 2007 draft, also by the Yankees, but elected to return to school for his senior season where he made the All-American first team going 9-3 with a 3.34 era and 7 saves. He pitched 86.1 innings, and appeared in 37 games, which led the conference and ranked second in the country. He struck out 101 batters in those 86.1 innings.

He recorded a strikeout with both his right and left arm in 17 of his 35 games this year, and 39 times in his career. Venditte was used out of the Blue Jays’ (Creighton Blue Jays, not Toronto) bullpen and pitched upwards of three innings an outing. He made his second career start against Nebraska on April 23rd.

This guy could be a very valuable asset to the Yankees bullpen in the future. He doesn’t have the most over-powering stuff, but he can throw strikes and fool hitters. How about a righty specialist and a lefty specialist, all in one? Very good decision by the Yankees to pick this guy up for a second straight year!

This post is part of the MLB Draft 2008 get-to-know the draftees series.

A Closer Look: Addison Maruszak

This post is part of the MLB Draft 2008 get-to-know the draftees series.

Addison Maruszak, a 22-year-old shortstop out of the University of South Florida, was selected in the 2008 MLB draft by the New York Yankees. Maruszak, taken in the 17th round, was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is 6-2, weighs 190lbs, bats right and throws right.

During his junior season Maruszak hit .362, compiling 72 hits, 52 runs, and 6 homeruns for the Bulls. He was named to the All Big East Team. He was also a candidate for the Brooks Wallace Award. In 2008 Maruszak came in second in the Big East in batting average, hitting .416 and compiling a .496 on base percentage. On April 26, 2008, Addison hit two home runs in the same game (against Villanova) to become the first Bull to ever achieve that feat.

During Spring Training, Addison was able to play with his USF team against the Yankees, in what he claims was his greatest moment in baseball to this date. With his solid bat, along with good defensive abilities as a middle infielder, look for Addison to become a special player in the major leagues someday!

This post is part of the MLB Draft 2008 get-to-know the draftees series.

R.I.P. Bobby Murcer

A sad day it is in the Yankee universe as one of the most memorable figures passed away today. Bobby Murcer, Yankees player and broadcaster passed away today at the age of 62. Our condolences to his family. This is a terrible lose for baseball in general. More on Murcer and his life coming soon…

Update: Here is the official statement by the Yankees, which includes more about the great personality and his life.

Yankees/Blue Jays Game Two

After getting shut out by Roy Halladay on Friday, the Yankees look to get back on track today against the Blue Jays. The 12:07 start will feature Darrell Rasner for the Yankees, and Jesse Litsch for Toronto.

Rasner, 27, from Carson City Nevada is 4-7 on the season with a 4.94 era. He has lost his last three starts and 7 of his last 10. In his last four outings, he has only lasted five innings. Rasner is 1-0 on the season against Toronto, pitching 6 strong innings against them earlier in the season.

Litsch, the Pinellas Park Florida native is 8-5 on the season, with a 4.01 era. He is 0-1 on the season against the Yankees, after getting beaten earlier in the year (he lasted 5.1 innings in that game.) Litsch is 3-4 in his last 7 decisions and went 5.1 innings in his last start, in which he allowed 8 hits, and 6 runs in a 7-1 loss to the Angels. Yankee hitters have very limited experience against Litsch, but Damon, Cabrera, Rodriguez, and Matsui all are hitting over .300 on the year so hopefully they will be able to continue hitting. As for the rest of the lineup, much can’t be said.

Toronto comes into the game in fourth place in the AL East, barely ahead of Baltimore. The Blue Jays are 46-47 on the season, while the Yankees, sitting in third place are 6.5 games back with a 49-44 record.

Here is the lineup for tonight:
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Moeller C
Gardner LF
Rasner RHP

Go Yankees!