http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2012/01/17/yankees-organizational-depth-first-base-2/
Up next in our position-by-position look at the Yankees organization is a
spot that seemed to be in extremely safe hands just two years ago. In the
past two seasons, though, Mark Teixeira’s offensive production has become
much more one-diminsional, but with a long-term contract, he’s clearly not
going anywhere.
In the big leagues
Teixeira is signed through 2016, so he’s not going anywhere, and his defense
at first base is still plenty good enough to stay on the field. What’s
troublesome is an obvious offensive trend, with a batting average and on-base
percentage that have steadily declined in his three seasons with the Yankees.
The power is still there — and still significant — but Teixeira has become
more one-diminsional, especially from the left side. His past two seasons haven
’t seen the same across-the-board, MVP-type production that the Yankees saw in
2009. But Teixeira recognizes the situation and has said he’s committed to
fixing it. Getting him back to a 2009 level of production could make a
significant difference.
On the verge
Jorge Vazquez is a curiosity as much as he’s a prospect. He’s old for a
prospect, he strikes out a ton, doesn’t play very good defense and has never
played above Triple-A. But the guy has more than enough power to catch the
organization’s attention, and he’s something for a wild card for the Yankees
new DH opening. Plucked out of Mexico — where he built a reputation as a
middle-of-the-order slugger — Vazquez has hammered the ball in the minor
leagues, including 32 home runs and a .516 slugging percentage last year with
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Third baseman Brandon Laird can also play first, but the
position should belong to Vazquez in Triple-A. That is, of course, unless he
does enough to win some DH at-bats in New York.
Deep in the system
There are a lot of names worth mentioning here. Robert Lyerly, Luke Murton and
Kyle Roller have each done enough to stay on fringes of the prospect radar
while spending considerable time at first base. Catcher J.R. Murphy could be a
candidate for the position if necessary, and slick-hitting outfielder Ramon
Flores has played some first base. The organization doesn’t really have a
standout at first base, but recent draftees Tyler Austin and Greg Bird — both
drafted as catchers — have intriguing bats that could settle into regular time
at first. Austin is already playing first and third, and put up impressive
numbers last year.
Organizational depth chart
My rough guess. It’s too early for the Yankees to decide who will be where
next season.
New York: Mark Teixeira
Scranton/WB: Jorge Vazquez
Trenton: Robert Lyerly
Tampa: Kyle Roller
Charleston: Tyler Austin
Hard not to be impressed with Austin’s numbers last year, and that might be
enough to push him to Charleston after only short stints in both Staten
Island and the Gulf Coast League. Guys like Laird, Murton, Brad Suttle,
Addison Maruszak, Kevin Mahoney and Rob Segedin could occasionally fit into
the first base mix as well. With no true standout at the position — but a
lot of guys who can play it — first base could be used as a way to get guys
at-bats up and down the system.
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