Making a case for first base
Juan Miranda is tearing the cover off the ball in the Arizona Fall League. 3 doubles, a couple triples, batting around .800.
He is a former Cuban defector that missed about a year and a half of baseball as he made his way to the states. He is listed as 25/26 but rumblings are he may be a little older than that. Either way he has a sweet lefty swing.
He had a decent year at AAA in 2007 and a decent year in AAA last year. He hits right handed pitching great but has some trouble against lefties. He is not Donnie baseball at first with the glove but is more than an adequate defender.
The Yankees should really give him a shot to at least platoon at first in 2009. He struck out more than he walked this year but has a good eye at the plate which the Yankees need. Pitch selection was a big weakness for the team this year.
Other Notes:
Humberto Sanchez got knocked around but that is not a huge deal. He is rusty and probably over aggressive. The fall league is good for him to work on things after coming back from TJ surgery.
Kevin Russo went 1-5 and played left field. He is being groomed to be a super-sub.
Jackson has cooled off after starting strong. Again, not a huge deal as he continues to develop.
Whelan went 1.1 innings and struck out 3. He is a big decision for the 40 man roster this year. The Yankees have a lot of good young arms and he may not get a spot on the 40 man roster.