*ashby.stat*Ashby wielded a big bat at Norwich in '97 to the tune of 24 HRs and 82 RBI. His big bat and solid play at first base should earn him a spot on the Clippers in '98.
*Buddie*Buddie.pct*Mike Buddie
Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 3" WEIGHT: 210 lbs.
AGE: 27 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 1992 4th round pick.
*buddie.stat*Buddie was an important part of the Clippers' bullpen in '97, as he recorded 67 K's in 75 IP. The right-handed reliever sported a record of 6-6 with two saves, and he figures to play just as big a role in the upcoming season.
*Figga*Figga.pct*Mike Figga
Catcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 0" WEIGHT: 200 lbs.
AGE: 27 years old
ACQUIRED:
Signed as free-agent on May 21, 1990.*figga.stat*As the anchor of the infield, Figga once again showed why he's considered to be one of the top catchers in the Yankees organization. He knocked in 54 runs and committed only 11 errors.*Maeda*Maeda.pct*Katsuhiro Maeda
Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 2" WEIGHT: 215 lbs.
AGE: 26 years old
ACQUIRED:
From the Seibu Lions on May 16, 1996.*maeda.stat*The other hard-throwing Japanese right-hander started 21 games for the Navigators and has developed an impressive array of pitches, including a good change-up. He will start the season in Columbus, but could find his way to the Bronx in '98.*Martinez*Martineza.pct*Gabby Martinez
Infield
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 2" WEIGHT: 170 lbs.
AGE: 24 years old
ACQUIRED:
From Milwaukee on November 5, 1996.*martinez.stat*Martinez was the renaissance man of the Navigators' infield, playing 53 games at short-stop and 20 at second base. His versatility and hot bat (.321, 54 RBI) will make him a valuable part of the Clippers this season.*Spencer*Spencer.pct*Shane Spencer
Outfield
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 5' 11" WEIGHT: 210 lbs.
AGE: 26 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 1990 28th round pick.*Spencer.stat*Spencer had another outstanding season in '97, hitting 30 HRs and 86 RBI. His defensive skills are as exciting as his hitting. If Spencer continues to produce the way he did in '97, look for him to knock on the Bronx's door this season.*Brown*Brown.pct*Richard Brown
Outfield
Bats: Left Throws: Left
HEIGHT: 6' 1" WEIGHT: 196 lbs.
AGE: 21 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 2nd round pick in the 1995 free agent draft.*brown.stat*A speedy outfielder, Brown was great in the field and at the plate. After a good, albeit short year at Tampa, he is ready for the next level and should be a good addition to Greensboro this season.*Coble*Coble.pct*Jason Coble
Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Left
HEIGHT: 6' 3" WEIGHT: 180 lbs.
AGE: 20 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 2nd round pick in the 1996 free agent draft.*coble.stat*Coble logged a lot of innings as a starter last season and struck out 99 batters. He should help bring some stability to a staff that will see a number of comings and goings in '98.*Melian*Melian.pct*Jackson Melian
Outfield
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 2" WEIGHT: 190 lbs.
AGE: 18 years old
ACQUIRED:
Signed as free-agent on July 2, 1996.*melian.stat*In his first professional season, Melian hit .263 and drove in 36 runs. He is still young, but if he continues to improve and perform the way he did in '97, there's no telling where he'll end up by the end of '98.*Almonte*Almonte.pct*Erick Almonte
Third Base
Bats: Left Throws: Left
HEIGHT: 6' 1" WEIGHT: 196 lbs.
AGE: 21 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 2nd round pick in the 1995 free agent draft.*Almonte.stat*It's hard enough to make the transition to pro ball, but Erick Almonte had to do it while playing the "hot corner." And you know what? He did all right. Almonte handled the defensive chores while contributing in the power department to make for an impressive pro debut.*Padua*Padua.pct*Geraldo Padua
Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Left
HEIGHT: 6' 3" WEIGHT: 180 lbs.
AGE: 20 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 5th round pick in the 1997 draft.*Padua.stat*Of all the pitchers who were impressive for Rookie Tampa, Geraldo Padua's numbers stand out the most: eight wins, no losses, an ERA under three and 36 strikeouts to eight walks.*Thames*Thames.pct*Marcus Thames
Outfield
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 4" WEIGHT: 185 lbs.
AGE: 20 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 5th round pick in the 1996 draft.*Thames.stat*Was there anything that Marcus Thames didn't do last season? Let's see: he hit for average and power, showed a decent amount of speed and handled the glove fairly well. After such an impressive debut, the only question that remains is how will he handle the jump up the pro ladder in 1998?*De Los Santos*De Los Santos.pct*Luis De Los Santos
Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 2" WEIGHT: 187 lbs.
AGE: 20 years old
ACQUIRED:
Signed as free-agent on February 11, 1995.*De Los Santos.stat*Blessed with the ability to bring the heat, Luis De Los Santos had another impressive year in '97. Only 20 years old, De Los Santos jumped to Double-A Norwich after being nearly unhittable at Class-A Tampa in his 10 starts. Unless his meteoric ascent exceeds all expectations, expect De Los Santos to spend a whole season at Double-A Norwich this season.*Einertson*Einertson.pct*Darrell Einertson
Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 2" WEIGHT: 190 lbs.
AGE: 25 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 11th round draft pick in June, 1995 draft.*Einertson.stat*Einertson did such an effective job as a set-up reliever for Class-A Tampa, that the Yankees were impressed enough to assign him a spot on the 40-man roster in the offseason. In addition to allowing only 65 hits in 71 innings, Einertson also commanded an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio of 55 to 19.*McDonald*McDonald.pct*Donzell McDonald
Outfield
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 5' 11" WEIGHT: 165 lbs.
AGE: 23 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 22nd round draft pick in the June, 1995 draft.*McDonald.stat*Speedster Donzell McDonald may have missed some time due to an injury, but he still showed a ton of promise at the top of the order. McDonald's speed is his most valuable asset and he's working on making more contact with the ball. His .296 average was an improvement, and McDonald hopes it continues to rise at the next level.*Bradley*Bradley.pct*Ryan Bradley
Pitcher
Bats: Left Throws: Left
HEIGHT: 6' 1" WEIGHT: 196 lbs.
AGE: 21 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 2nd round pick in the 1995 free agent draft.*Bradley.stat*Bradley, a hard throwing right-hander, starred in middle relief for Oneonta last season. He struck out 22 batters in 26.2 IP. He should continue to shine for Oneonta in '98, but could be moved up a level mid-season.*Choate*Choate.pct*Randy Choate
Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Left
HEIGHT: 6' 3" WEIGHT: 180 lbs.
AGE: 20 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 5th round pick in the 1997 draft.*Choate.stat*With a side-armed delivery, Choate went 5-1 and his 1.73 ERA led the league (for starting pitchers). After last season's emergence as a top pitcher, he is ready to help Oneonta reach the top again in '98.*Day*Day.pct*Zach Day
Pitcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 4" WEIGHT: 185 lbs.
AGE: 20 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 5th round pick in the 1996 draft.*Day.stat*Day proved himself to be one of the best pitchers in the New York-Penn League last season as he went 7-2 with a 2.15 ERA. His live fastball earned him a spot on the league's all-star team and will help him be a force again in '98.*Jimenez*Jimenez.pct*D'Angelo Jimenez
Shortstop
Bats: Switch Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 0" WEIGHT: 160 lbs.
AGE: 20 years old
ACQUIRED:
Signed as free-agent on August 1, 1994.*Jimenez.stat*Jimenez accomplished many of the organization's goals in '97, cutting down his strikeout totals from 113 in '96 to 50 last year, and increasing his average by more than 50 points. After some early season at-bats in the FSL, Norwich could be the next stop for Jimenez in '98.*Johnson*Johnson.pct*Nick Johnson
First Base
Bats: Left Throws: Left
HEIGHT: 6' 3" WEIGHT: 195 lbs.
AGE: 19 years old
ACQUIRED:
Yankees' 3rd round pick in 1996 draft.*Johnson.stat*After a stellar first year at rookie-league Gulf Coast in '96, Johnson moved on to full-season Greensboro with even more impressive results. The Sacramento native made a strong push toward the upper tier of Yanks prospects with big power numbers and surprising speed.*Valencia*Valencia.pct*Victor Valencia
Catcher
Bats: Right Throws: Right
HEIGHT: 6' 2" WEIGHT: 185 lbs.
AGE: 20 years old
ACQUIRED:
Signed as free-agent on July 22, 1993.*Valencia.stat*The Venezuela native may not have hit for average in '97, but his improved power numbers have caught the attention of more than a few scouts. '98 will be a year to put the full package of tools together for this up-and-comer.*
