Where Are They Now?

A look at where SI Yanks alumni are in the affiliated minor leagues

By: Robert Pimpsner

April 3, 2008 – It is that time again as players begin to suit up in their uniforms and take the field for another season of baseball.  The 2008 season is now officially underway with the first Minor League games to be played today throughout the country. 

Sprinkled throughout the rosters of major and minor league teams alike are former Staten Island Yankees who are continuing their dream of playing professional baseball.  Most of them are still in the New York Yankees Organization, while some have moved on to other teams in hopes of one day making the major leagues.

Of course baseball fans already know of Ian Kennedy, Chien-Ming Wang, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera but they may not know much of the new crop of young Yankee players that once tread the field at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark.  Among that group is speedy outfielders Brett Gardner and Justin Christian who will begin the season with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees of the International League.  Joining them is former first-round draft pick Eric Duncan along with Jeff Marquez and Bernie Castro.  Castro is returning to the Yankees organization in 2008, after splitting last season between Washington and Columbus.

T.J. Beam and Kevin Thompson will be with the Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Jason Anderson, the first former SI Yankee to play for the NY Yankees, will take the mound for the Leigh Valley IronPigs the new Phillies Triple-A team.  Several other ex-Staten Island Yankees are sprinkled throughout Triple-A as Andy Cannizaro will play for the Durham Bulls, Matt DeSalvo is pitching for the Richmond Braves, Bronson Sardinha is in Tacoma, Omir Santos will be the backstop in Norfolk, John-Ford Griffen will be in Las Vegas, Aaron Rifkin is in Oklahoma, David Parrish is playing for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, Charlie Manning will be in Columbus, and Andy Phillips will play for the Louisville Bats.

The Trenton Thunder are defending their first ever Eastern League title and helping them along the way are several former Baby Bombers.  In fact the entire Thunder starting rotation is composed of ex-Staten Island Yankees.  Phil Coke, Dan McCutchen, George Kontos, Chase Wright, and Jason Jones have all spent time with Staten Island.  Trenton also will be home to “The Undertaker” Josh Scmidt who had an unbelievable 0.27 ERA in 2005 with the SI Yanks.  Michael Gardner, Eric Wordkemper and Zach Kroenke will also be in the bullpen in Double-A.  In his second season in Double-A former SI Yankee pitcher Justin Berg will be playing for the Tennessee Smokies in the Cubs organization.

                The 2008 Tampa Yankees will is the team richest with ex-Staten Island Yankees.  Taking the mound for Tampa will be Eric Hacker, Jonathan Hovis, Mike Dunn, Ryan Pope, Grant Duff, Edgar Soto, and Mark Melancon.  Behind the plate will be Kyle Anson and Jose Gil while Mitch Hilligoss, Damon Sublett, Braedyn Pruitt, Eduardo Nunez, Kevin Smith and Luis Nunez fill out the infield.  In the outfield will be Tim Battle, Seth Fortenberry, James Cooper, and Edwar Gonzalez.  John Urick will once again join the Clearwater Thrashers the Florida State League affiliate of the Phillies, Ferdin Tejada will pitch for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and John Axford will take the mound for the Brevard County Manatees.

                Arguable one of the most talented teams in the minors, the 2008 Charleston RiverDogs features a roster of 15 former SI Yanks.  Among them are starters Dellin Betance, Zach McAllister, and Adam Olbrychowski.  They have a bullpen that consists of Jason Stephens, Gabe Medina, Wilkins De La Rossa, Jesse Hoover, Lance Pendleton, Craig Heyer and “The Sandman” Jonathan Ortiz.  At second base for Charleston will be Justin Snyder with Austin Krum, David Williams, and Taylor Holiday in the outfield.  Pitcher Chris Farley will be with the Kane County Cougars in the Midwest League.

                The 2008 season looks to be one of the most exciting seasons for the Yankees Organization, as every team has exceptional talent.  Many of the players have once stepped out on the field at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark and many more will be come in the years to follow.  If you would like to see the next crop of Yankee stars ticket packages are now on sale for the 2008 Staten Island Yankees season.