BECAUSE Alfonso Soriano was sent to Texas in the Alex Rodriguez trade in the 2003 offseason, Derek Jeter’s 34 steals in 2006 is the last time the Bronx Bombers had a player finish the year with more than 30 swipes.
But for those longing for the Yankees to show more speed basepaths, help is on the way in the form of Brett Gardner. Ranked by Baseball America as the Yankees’ No. 8 prospect entering 2008, he is blazing a trail around the bases with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“He’s a contact guy . . . a leadoff guy who could get on base,” a scout said of Gardner. “He sprays the ball around, he steals bases . . . his arm is below average, but he goes and gets the ball in the outfield.”
Gardner, a center fielder has had a banner year with SWB, hitting .293 with 81 hits, 58 runs, 11 doubles, 10 triples, three home runs, 29 RBI and 30 stolen bases through Friday’s action. The 24-year-old left-hander entered the year as Baseball America’s No. 8 overall prospect in the Yankees’ system, and has been compared with Juan Pierre, except with better plate discipline.
“It’s the same type of game – hit and run, bunt to get on base, move the runners along,” the scout said. “He probably does have better plate discipline.”
An opposing Triple-A manager who saw Gardner recently was impressed with him as well, comparing him with another left-handed leadoff hitter – Brett Butler.
“He played very well against us,” the manager said. “We had trouble throwing strikes to him, and he’s not a guy you want to do that to because he plays havoc with you on the bases, and he made an outstanding play against us in center field.
“He’s got the ability to be a difference-maker with his base stealing, and with his defense in center field. He definitely fits the bill as a leadoff guy.”
Humberto Sanchez, the headlining prospect in the deal that sent Gary Sheffield to the Tigers during the 2006 offseason, made his first appearance in a Yankee uniform Tuesday for the Bombers’ Gulf Coast League affiliate as part of his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery in April 2007. The 6-foot-6 right-hander allowed a run on a hit and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.
The Yankees and Mets will be represented in the 2008 Futures Game, to be held July 13 at Yankee Stadium as part of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Festivities. Mets outfield prospect Fernando Martinez and Yankees catching prospect Jesus Montero were selected to be part of the World roster, which will take on a team of American prospects.